2 Grand Marshals To Lead Veterans Day Parade In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The annual Ocean County Veterans Day Parade in Toms River will feature a pair of grand marshals who are from Toms River.

The parade, set to begin at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, will be led by U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Monticello and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Peter Hartman. Monticello is a 1989 graduate of Toms River High School East. Hartman has lived in Toms River since 1974.

The parade will start at the Toms River Shopping Center on Route 37 and will travel south on Main Street (Rt. 166) and then east onto Washington Street and it typically includes local school marching bands as well as a mulititude of veterans groups. A post-parade ceremony in front of Town Hall will include a placing of the wreath on the Veterans monument.

There is no rain date. If foul weather is forecast, student participation will be canceled at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Announcements will be made on 92.7 WOBM. If the parade is canceled, a ceremony will take place in Town Hall in the L. Manuel Hirsbhlond Meeting Room at 10 a.m.

"These two men that are this year’s grand marshals are the perfect embodiment of the legacy of service that our military share," said Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher, who was a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. "They represent the centuries-old tradition of our veterans who continue to serve their community after their service to our nation is over. As Americans, it’s our duty to honor and thank our veterans, today and every day."

Monticello currently is Resident Special Agent-in-Charge at the Department of Defense for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The DCIS conducts investigations into matters related to Department of Defense civilian programs and military operations focusing on terrorism, fraud, public corruption, health care fraud and cyber-crimes. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Toms River East and completed basic training, Infantry School and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He then served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was a team leader in an infantry squad assigned as supervisor and spotter for a sniper team. He completed an overseas deployment in Egypt and assisted allied units in the Sinai desert. Upon his honorable discharge from active duty, he enlisted in the Army Reserve, and graduated from the U.S. Army Military Police School, becoming a 95 Bravo Military Police Officer. Monticello received numerous awards and decorations including the Parachutist badge, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal and the Dutch Army light machine gun marksmanship badge. Monticello, who also earned a master's degree in public policy management from Georgetown University, is a member of the American Legion Post 129 in Toms River and the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Hartman, who has lived in Toms River since 1974, graduated from Penn State University and entered the Marine Corps in 1969, receiving his commission as second lieutenant. Hartman was transferred to Texas in 1970 where he received advance jet training in formation, instrument and cross-country flying. He earned his wings in 1971 and was then stationed in California for training in the F-4 Phantom II. The training included air combat maneuvering, close air support and inflight refueling. In July 1973, Hartman was transferred to the Far East for combat missions. He flew 12 combat missions in Cambodia before all hostilities ceased as decreed by Congress. He also made flights to Taiwan and South Korea. He was promoted to captain in May 1974 while in the Philippines and designated as an air combat tactics instructor. Hartman was released from active duty in November 1974.

"These two grand marshals are exemplary individuals who will lead hundreds of veterans, civic groups and musical bands at this very meaningful event," Kelaher said. Both men received proclamations from the Toms River Township Council at the October 23, 2018 meeting.