Meet Stan Mathews, The 2017 Newtown Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall

NEWTOWN, PA — The 2017 Newtown Memorial Day parade will be held Monday, May 29. The parade, organized by Morell Smith Post 440, will begin at the Commons West Building on Newtown-Yardley Road. Parade participants will line up at 8:30 a.m. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. Click here for the parade route.

The parade grand marshall is World War II Stan Mathews. Stan, a lifetime Newtown resident, has a very interesting background. Here is a little bit more of his story, according to parade organizers:

Stan is a lifetime resident of Newtown and a World War II veteran serving aboard the USS Ordronaux (DD-617) in the Pacific theater of the war. Stan grew up in Newtown and remembers attending all the Memorial Day parades and watching Civil War veterans marching never thinking he would be a participant.

He graduated from Newtown High School and enlisted in the Navy when he was 17.

A member of the Morell Smith Post 440 of the American Legion in Newtown, he was on the rifle squad for 30 years marching in this parade. He never missed a Memorial Day parade.

Stan has been a 440 Post member for 65 continuous years.

This past March, Stan celebrated 67 years of marriage with his wife Helen. They have two sons, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His granddaughter is married to Commander Dan Johson, continuing Stan's link to the Navy.

Stan was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of the Japanese ending World War II and as a destroyer sailer Stan has seen a lot. He is a quiet man and well-liked and respected by the member of the Legion.

Congrats, Stan!

Contributed photo