Memorial Day in Metuchen
Turn up the sound and
click here.
Below, pictures from the 2007 event…
Memorial Day is dedicated to the
honor and support of United States service personnel,
past and present,
especially those in harm’s way.
Click the picture above — or click here — to jump to the slide show. Be sure to turn up the sound because we have a special guest speaker this year. When the show is over, it will jump back here so you can read the rest of the blog post.
I don’t usually use black and white images when I shoot events, but I felt so moved by the emotions of the day that I thought I’d give it a try.
He’s upset because his cousins had just left to go back home. I thought the image was touching because of the real emotion he’s feeling. His dad’s shirt hammers in the message.
I have always been anti-gun and anti-gun toys for my children. But with a house full of boys, it’s practically impossible. (Readers with baby boys: hear this — they will make guns out of anything. Pencils. Fingers. Tiny twigs and blades of grass.) I thought this image of the boy atop the cannon looking pensive gave meaning to my frustration over toy guns.
I didn’t shoot the whole day in black and white. I love this shot from the other side of Tommy’s Pond, also known as the seating area for geese only. (This will be clearer to you if you’ve already watched the slide show.) By the way, just after the baby geese picture, the momma goose honked at me to leave. Story of my life.
Blog fans may recognize Major General (Select) John F. Kelly, the reviewing officer for the parade. He was the featured speaker at the John Basilone Parade, which I shot last September. It was nice to see him again, and to hear him speak. General: I wish you well on your new command in California.
You may also recognize some of the young Marines shown. The man on the left was the cover of last year’s Memorial Day book. (The men are trying really hard not to smile at me. They did a good job!)
SPC Robert Murafsky of the U.S. Army was a Grand Marshal of the parade. He recently returned home to Metuchen after having been shot in Iraq, then spending several months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he met his fiance (left). His mom, Penny Murafsky, right, is a long-time member of the Memorial Day parade committee.
One of the things I love about shooting the Memorial Day parade is that so many people in Metuchen know me. Kids will smile, shout my name and wave. It’s great! Not sure what Liam was thinking when he said, “Mrs. Shaver, take a picture of this!” And he held up a dollar. In editing the slide show, I didn’t have the heart to edit George Washington. (Thanks, Liam!)
This is another face from the past: Basilone fans, think adorable baby in tuxedo. He’s grown a lot since September! I got some really nice pictures of him this time. (Mom and dad, if you’re reading, send me an email and I’d be happy to mail you some prints!)
This one was edited from the show because I thought little children would think he’d been run over. Nah, he was just resting in the shade. Here’s the shot of him earlier when he was watching the police unit march by…
In a traditional post-parade ceremony, Vietnam veterans salute their fallen comrades by pouring out their beer on the memorial at Legion Hall, followed by the playing of Taps.
This is my favorite shot from this year’s parade. Jan Margolis is the parade committee chairperson, planning the parade and memorial service for each of the last three years. While I have no direct experience serving on a parade committee, I can surely tell you that the planning is immensely complicated. From the military protocol to when the casson arrives to paying for everything and assuring that yellow ribbons and flags are all over town, it’s a year-long process that requires strength in leadership. As Rear Admiral Timothy Beard III put it when he saw this picture, “You can sure tell who’s in charge here.” (I took the photo as Jan listened to a speech about prisoners of war.)
If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the slide show, then come back here and leave a comment for the parade committee. They did a fantastic job because without them, Memorial Day in Metuchen would be nothing but a day off work.
I loved every picture! You captured Laci’s personailty beautifully! I can’t wait to see them in print. The one of all of us is great, it’s something that I will cherish forever! Laci had a great time and loved seeing herself in the slideshow! Again, it was greet meeting you and Gregory. You not only have an amazing talent but a great passion that comes through in each and everyone of your pictures!
The Memorial Day Parade was great and so is the new website. I don’t know when you have time, but keep up the great work! I’m sure we’ll see you again!
Comment by Dawn Williams — May 30, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
Julie you have once again used your God given gift to turn a wonderful and fun event into something breathtaking and marvelous. Kudos to you and thanks for the dedication you continually pour in to your work.
Jan and the rest of the parade committee deserve a giant thank you and a year full of praise for once again putting together and executing a fantastic parade. I have participated in the bike decorating and riding fun the past several years and this year was by far away the best attendance I have seen along the entire parade route. It was so much fun!!
Comment by Justin Manley — May 30, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
Julie, each and every time I see you work I’m amazed by how gifted you are. I was there on Main Street, but now feel like I saw the whole parade–bird’s-eye view, too. Thanks for such beautiful and personal symbols of an emotionally profound holiday, and for a uniquely Metuchen take on small-town parades. And thanks for your irrepressible humor! Yep, that shot of Jan is the best–and there’s no doubt who’s in charge. When are you going to quit your day (er, night) job?
Comment by Anne Newman — May 30, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
Jules -
The slideshow clearly conveys the emotion of the day. Thank you for capturing the beauty and pagentry of the parade and ceremony. I missed marching with the Chamber this year. We were at a family wedding, but watching the slideshow I feel like I was there. You have a gift and you do Metuchen proud. And the photo of Jan … priceless.
PS - Tell Gregory he could give James Earl Jones a run for his money! Great speaking voice.
Comment by Leah — May 31, 2007 @ 12:31 am
You did an absolutely beautiful job on that slideshow. Thank you very much for doing it. You captured the day wonderfully!
Comment by Mary Murafsky — May 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Julie,So amazing works, your Camera+Eyes+hands +your imagination it is so wonderfull, I could not be there but thank you for taking me there.
Gregory I did not know you read so beautiful,
you have to teach me how to read like that(If you have time).
Bradly you are handsom in there, I saw our Presbyterian Scout and so many our church family and children in there.
For chief Parade Lady, Jan Margolis, thanks for doing a good job. Jan and Julie always doing a good job in our Proud tawn METUCHEN NJ USA.
I know Julie, Bradly and Greg were doing GOOD JOB because MIKE SHAVER was cheering them. God smiles watching all of you. I am so proud to show this website to my friends and so proud to tell them I know Julie. Thanks again. Mercy
Comment by Mercy — May 31, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your art with the people of Metuchen. I have sent the link to your site to people accross the county. You have captured our town and its people so wonderfully with your lens.
Comment by Ann Sardone — May 31, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Spectacular. Spectacular.
Comment by Chris Morrison — May 31, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
I love this town…
God Bless America.
Comment by Heidi — May 31, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Beautiful…What a great town, my heart never left. It will always be home.
Comment by Karen Jones Woodard — June 1, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
I have to tell you thank you soooo much!!! I have recently moved from Metuchen to Florida and was on my way back to see the parade….the care broke down in Georgia and I missed it :(…However after watching the slide show I feel like I was there…My sister is a memeber of the Metuchen First Aid Squad and she had my daughter in the back of the rig strapped to a stretcher with the back doors open during to the parade…even though I cant see in I can still know where she was in the picture across from Tommy’s Pond. Thank you so much for a wonderful slide show and for bringing tears to my eyes but thatnk you even more to the people who made this able to happen and the men and women fighting so that we are able to celebrate (the good and the sad) THANK YOU ALL!!!
Comment by Amanda — June 2, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Your photos of the Memorial Day Parade in Metuchen were absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for the time and effort you put into this artwork.
Comment by Eileen Harmon — June 4, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Hi Julie
Great work!!! It reminded me why this is such a great country to live in. Metuchen should be very proud of its Parade Committee, its citizens, and last but not least, you and your wonderful talents! Thank you for sharing it with the world!
Comment by Bob Langan — June 11, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Julie, I’m totally a fan! Your Memorial Day slide show totally made me want to move to Metuchen - even though I had never even heard of it.
Comment by Rachael — June 11, 2007 @ 11:28 am
This is a terrific blog. I love your photos.
I grew up in NJ and my brother lived in Metuchen for a long time, so it is so cool to see your photos too.
Thanks for a beautiful job well done.
Hope your Easter is joyful.
Comment by Donna — March 22, 2008 @ 10:55 pm