I used to go to parades, watch the boy scouts and shriners and marching bands, waving my flag, and never really thinking about what it all meant. This changed a few years ago when I started working as an event photographer. As someone charged with capturing the story, it became my job to find out what drove the organizers to go to all that trouble. In some cases, there’s a financial benefit for some big company or chain store. Other times, it’s just an excuse to close off the streets and throw a big community party.

In the case of Raritan’s big parade to honor John Basilone, the story behind the organization of it is far bigger than the event itself.

A hometown hero and Marine Corps legend, John Basilone — Manila John — won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II at Guadalcanal, virtually annihilating an entire Japanese regiment. After a few years rallying the home front on the medal circuit, he felt compelled to return to the front lines to be with his men. He died on Iwo Jima, Feb. 19, 1945, but not before achieving an impressive list of accomplishments there, including single-handedly destroying a hostile strongpoint and aiding an allied tank, guiding it to safety in the face of intense hostile fire. For his skill, courage and devotion to his comrades, he was posthumously awarded The Navy Cross.

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone is the only enlisted man to have won both the Congressional Medal of Honor and The Navy Cross. And he is the only Medal of Honor winner to later return to combat, ultimately sacrificing his life.

My photographs do not tell his story. But I hope that in some small way, they show my gratitude to a man who gave his life in the name of freedom.

The 25th Annual John Basilone Concert & Parade: A Slide Show
Turn up the volume.

For more information about John Basilone, visit the parade Web site:
www.basiloneparade.com