JB MDL supports Memorial Day events

Published June 1, 2012
By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst service members traveled near and far during Memorial Day weekend to represent the base by participating in a number of different events.

Events were hosted in towns just outside the joint base such as Browns Mills, New Egypt and North Hanover Township, to more distant locations such as Point Pleasant, Barnegat and Bayonne. Pennsylvania even played host to a few events as well.

Town representatives asked service members to march in parades, ride in cars or floats, and speak at ceremonies.

Col. Craig A. Osborne, 174th Infantry Brigade commander, participated in two events May 26 North Hanover Township, N.J., a Memorial Day ceremony at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery and a Memorial Day parade.

"It is important we take time as a nation to reflect on the importance and meaning of Memorial Day each year," Osborne said. "Communities such as this have dedicated time, effort and resources to remember those in uniform who have fallen while promoting the ideals of our nation over history. I appreciate the township for what they are doing here today, and am happy to have been a small part of their event. They are truly patriotic Americans here, and their sincerity and admiration for those in uniform - past and present - is without question."

Col. John M. Wood, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander, marched in the Browns Mills parade with Mayor David Patriarca and then spoke at a ceremony afterward.

"We really appreciate the community support in recognition of those who served and died for our country," said Wood. "This is a great example of how the community of Pemberton Township works with organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to come out to honor and celebrate the sacrifices of our fallen service members."

Although Wood has marched in many parades he said this was the first one where he marched at the head of the parade with the mayor.

"Were always proud to have the base participating in our local events here because we continuously support the base," said Patriarca, "and we're very grateful to have the colonel and his wife here today celebrating this day with us in remembrance of our military members."

The Browns Mills parade and ceremony featured every branch of the military to include honor guards from the 514th Air Mobility Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 49, a group of soldiers from Regional Training Command-East, Sailors from VR-52 and VR-64 in addition to Coast Guardsmen and boats from the Atlantic Strike Team.

More than a dozen Airmen rode in classic automobiles in the Allentown, N.J., Memorial Day parade.

"It's great to see the community is able to come out and support us ... it's very moving that they were able to lay the foundation for us to have such a nice day," said 1st Lt. David J. Greco, a pilot for the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron. "It seems like the whole town came out to celebrate."

Other events included participation by the Kish Airman Leadership School in the Barnegat, N.J. Memorial Day parade and Chief Petty Officer Glenn J. Kildare, Leading Petty Officer for the Air Department, who spoke about the importance of Memorial Day at the Veteran's Club in Lake Ridge, N.J.

Joint base members participated in at least a dozen events on Memorial Day alone.