Ocean County Veterans Day Parade Set For Thursday In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County Veterans Day Parade is set for Thursday in downtown Toms River, returning after a year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the parade will start at 10:30 a.m., later than originally announced, officials said.

The parade begins at the Toms River Shopping Center on Route 37, proceeding south on Main Street (Route 166) and then east onto Washington Street. The parade will feature numerous military vehicles, elected officials, civic groups, first responders, high school marching bands and a showcase of vintage cars.

The parade is starting at 10:30 a.m. to accommodate the school bands and elementary school student spectators, who will be bused to the parade site. The later start is a reflection of the school bus driver shortage in Toms River, officials said.

Officials said the Toms River Veterans Commission is hoping more organizations will participate in the parade that honors veterans who have served in our armed forces. All Ocean County veterans’ organizations, guests, as well as school bands and ROTC units are invited.

To participate, please fill out an application and email it to Bob Larned, at bob.larned@yahoo.com Deadline for submission is October 31st.

After the parade, there will be a ceremony at Toms River’s Town Hall, 33 Washington St., with speakers and honored guests, a rifle salute, and the placing of the wreath on the veterans monument.

There is no rain date. If the parade is canceled, a ceremony will take place in Town Hall in the L. Manuel Hirsblond Meeting Room at 10 a.m.

Veterans Day first was held on Nov. 11, 1919, on the first anniversary of the end of World War I, which was known as Armistice Day. On Nov. 11, 1918, Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies agreeing to end World War I, according to History.com.

Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. The name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day in 1954, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, according to History.com.

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