Veterans' Advocate To Lead Ocean County Veterans Day Parade

John P. Dorrity served the United States as a crew chief and door gunner in Vietnam, protecting soldiers operating in various missions. Today, Dorrity still is fighting to protect those who fought for the United States, as director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau.

To honor his efforts, Dorrity has been named grand marshal of the 2015 Ocean County Veterans Day parade on Wednesday in Toms River.

The parade, sponsored by the Toms River Veterans Commission, honors the courageous men and women of the armed forces. It begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Toms River Shopping Center on Route 37, marches south on Main Street and east onto Washington Street. The parade will feature numerous military vehicles, elected officials, civic groups, first responders, local high school marching bands and a showcase of vintage cars. Chariot Riders of Manchester will once again be providing a rider-less horse with riding boots backwards to symbolize our fallen heroes.

The parade is not just to honor those who have served, Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said, but is important in light of what is happening around the world.

“Our troops have been ordered to Syria because of the crisis there; our military is engaging in close supervision of terrorist activity in Africa and are now confronting the Chinese in the Pacific,“ Kelaher said. “ The U.S. wouldn’t be able to participate in any of these conflicts without the support of our military. It is especially important that we continue to thank them for their dedicated service to our country not only today but throughout the year.”

Dorrity enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1967, and received an honorable discharge on Nov. 3, 1970 where he served as crew chief at Hunter AAF Savannah, Ga., until October 1969. He was then sent to Vietnam for his last year of enlistment where he served as crew chief/door gunner with the 162nd Assault Helicopter Company 13th Combat Aviation BN., 1st Aviation Brigade, according to a news release from Toms River officials.

“John is a highly decorated combat veteran who flew over 250 combat missions as a crew chief and door gunner on a Huey during the Vietnam War,” Councilman Maurice “Mo” Hill said. “He has served on numerous veteran organizations in leadership roles and has been recognized for his accomplishments. There is no stronger advocate for veterans in the state of New Jersey than John.”

Dorrity’s military awards and honors include the Aircraft Crewman badge, 23 Air Medals, two Valor in Combat Air Medals, a Cross for Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense and Good Conduct Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal with Silver Cluster for Personal Valor in combat – the highest award given by the state of New Jersey.

After the parade, there will be a ceremony held outside Toms River’s Town Hall at 33 Washington St. A commemorative salute will begin at the 11th hour, at the 11th minute on the 11th day of November, which signifies the end of World War I, originally known as Armistice Day. The post-parade ceremony will feature speakers and honored guests, including a placing of the wreath on the town’s veterans’ monument.