Mayor John V. Kelly III and the Board of Commissioners have announced plans for Nutley Township’s 103rd Annual Memorial Day Parade. The beloved tradition to honor America’s fallen heroes will feature the traditional parade and ceremonies, to be held on Monday, May 27, 2024. The day’s events will commence at 7:30am with the Nutley War Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at the VFW Post 493, located at 271 Washington Ave. Following the ceremony, residents are encouraged to gather at the Public Safety Building at 10:30am to honor Nutley’s fallen firefighters. Opening ceremonies will begin at 11:00am at the Park Oval in preparation for the start of the Memorial Day Parade. 

“Memorial Day is not a day of mourning but a day of remembrance and thanks,” Mayor Kelly says. “It’s a day where we remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and give thanks to those who gave everything so that we can continue to live in freedom and have everything we would ever want.”

The parade route remains the same as previous years – stepping off Chestnut Street and turning right at Passaic Avenue to Centre Street to Franklin Avenue, concluding at the reviewing stage in front of John H. Walker Middle School. Featuring veteran groups, marching bands, the Nutley Fire Department, EMS squads, youth groups and more, there’s something for people of all ages! Reverend David Le Duc will offer the prayer at the opening ceremonies and this year’s Grand Marshal is retired Gunnery Sgt. Courtney Johnson. 

“A bookend is an object tall, sturdy, and heavy enough that is placed at either end of a row of upright books to support them,” Gunnery Sgt. Johnson says. “The men and women whom I have had the pleasure of serving with in the United States Marine Corps, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our Nation, as well as the Mayor, Commissioners, and residents of Nutley have been the ‘bookends’ that supported me and all veterans in our Township. Serving as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Memorial Day parade is an honor that I do not take lightly because I represent those ‘bookends.’”

The Board of Commissioners invites family members of soldiers – both active military and veterans – to march in the parade, and is collecting the names of community members who are currently serving. In recognition of their bravery and service, these names will be added to an already existing banner to be featured at the parade and then displayed for all to see, on the Nutley Park Oval fence outside of the Town Hall.