Memorial Day in Metuchen 2008

Looking for the 2009 Metuchen Memorial Day slide show?
Turn up the sound and
click here.



Below, pictures from the 2008 event…

Memorial Day in Metuchen
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, for a slide show from the 2008 Metuchen Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Turn up the sound! When the show is finished, it will jump back here where you can leave a comment showing support for the troops, and thanking the parade committee. They did an excellent job!

I challenged myself this year to think of ways to capture the full spirit of Memorial Day in small-town America. Above, the names of New Jersey residents who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, are displayed at Freedom Plaza. According to memorials here, a Revolutionary War battle was fought in the area as well.

In my attempt to capture that Memorial Day spirit, I got out really early and walked around town, ending up in the old Colonial Cemetery where new flags had been placed by the tombstones of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers. I also noticed the addition of a beautiful new memorial marking the cornerstones where the first Metuchen Meetinghouse was constructed in 1717.

Children young and old were decorating bikes all over town.
That’s Justin Manley, above. Justin is running for Borough Council and was helping children with their bikes. I used those shots, plus pre-parade shots of scouts, as the slide show introduction. So many children are involved in the Memorial Day events here, that I thought it was a realistic segue into the images of troops and veterans. It is my hope that we teach our children to appreciate the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom, including the freedom of a democratic process of elections.

I love this shot of the Metuchen High School band.

It was a beautiful day, yet difficult for shooting because of the full sun. I sought a few shady spots to get lots of variety in my pictures.

I love this one!

A float in the parade listed the names of troops who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. That can’t have been an easy float to make.

Cdr. John A. Rizzuto, left, watched last year’s Memorial Day slide show while on duty in Afghanistan with the U.S. Naval Reserve. I still have the email he sent telling me how meaningful it was for the troops to witness small-town-America from afar. Welcome home, John. We’re all glad you are safe!

Capt. Frederic Primich, of the U.S. Naval Reserve, was the Reviewing Officer and speaker at the ceremony.

Girl scouts were putting flowers on all the memorials at Memorial Park. As a mom, I can hear my mom-voice freaking out thinking, “Don’t get in front of the procession!” But my photographer-voice was jumping for joy. Photographers LIVE for photographs that tell a story. This one is a story of juxtaposition, and a moment that wouldn’t happen on any other day.

The flag-folding ceremony always makes me cry.

Youth in the Lincoln High School JROTC have participated in the Metuchen parade for years. Their dedication to their organization is obvious and I applaud them for setting a high standard for leadership and commitment.

The Metuchen Memorial Day slide show would not be the same without this face.

There were a lot of dogs in this year’s parade, escorted by members of the Metuchen Environmental Commission. This particular puppy was hanging out at the American Legion Hall after the ceremony. When I was taking the picture, the owner was saying, “It’s ok, he won’t eat your camera; he just ate 5 hot dogs.” Thus, I was not afraid!

Vietnam veterans salute their fallen comrades with the playing of Taps, following by the sacrificial pouring out of their beer.

There are a few pictures included in this year’s slide show that I took in the evening at Cloverleaf Memorial Cemetery in Woodbridge. It was an interesting way to end my Memorial Day — all alone in a cemetery. The wind was blowing thousands of little American flags by the gravestones, giving the grounds an eery sense of life, and the reality of the thousands of lives lost. I went there on the advice of one of the veterans at the parade. Thanks for sending me there. It really was beautiful.

I love how those Cloverleaf pictures add a sense of drama to the end of the slide show.

Memorial Day is a highlight of living in Metuchen. Presented by the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade and ceremony requires many volunteers and many hours of work in preparation.

If you have a moment, please leave a comment below thanking veterans and their families for all they have sacrificed for our country. And be sure to thank the Memorial Day Parade Committee for all their hard work!

May God grant us peace and protect our troops,
~julie

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 5:30 pm and is filed under memorial day, metuchen and tagged with memorial day, metuchen, tommy's pond. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

32 Responses to “Memorial Day in Metuchen 2008”

1. CINDY DALY says:

   June 7, 2008 at 8:49 am

   DEAR JULIE,

   THANK YOU FOR SHARING A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE WITH US. MY FAMILY AND BOY SCOUT TROOP 44 OF EDISON MARCHED IN THE PARADE. I WILL PASS YOUR WEBSITE ON TO THE OTHERS IN THE TROOP. WE WERE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A TRADITION THAT MEANS SO MUCH.

   Reply
2. Andrew Rosenblum says:

   June 4, 2008 at 9:28 pm

   This was a very nice slide show. Represents quintessential America. First I thought it was Anytown USA, but then I began to recognize some Metuchenites. Nice blending local and enduring Memorial Day themes.

   Reply
3. Bettina Tratz-Ryan says:

   June 2, 2008 at 5:02 pm

   Thank you for putting this wonderful and inspiring reflection of Memorial Day and its meaning for Metuchen and the World together. Cathy Haugh had forwarded the link to our family as we live now in Germany. Thank you for your vision and gift allowing us to share this day with all of you.

   Reply
4. Russell Thacker says:

   June 2, 2008 at 11:34 am

   I received the link to this from my sister who lives in Metuchen. Thank you Ashley, for sharing with me. And thank you Julie for creating this work of art, and best wishes for you in the future.
   Russ Thacker
   Salt Lake City

   Reply
5. Barbara McGill says:

   June 2, 2008 at 9:28 am

   Jan Margolis sent me to see this. I’m up in MA but even though she is the only one I know in the parade, I cried my eyes out! Very touching and beautifully done. An incredible parade honoring people who have given their all. Thanks for sharing.

   Reply
6. Christine says:

   June 2, 2008 at 9:09 am

   Julie-
   We are so lucky to have you!!!!
   Great slideshow.

   Reply
7. Dorothy says:

   June 2, 2008 at 8:44 am

   Wow! Awesome – and one of your pictures – “Freedom is not free…” Let us honor and salute all, both past and present, who enable us to live in the land of the Free.

   Reply
8. Walter Zjawin says:

   June 1, 2008 at 8:50 pm

   Dear Julie
   This year is a work of art.I would like to THANK YOU again for covering the PARADE so beautifully.
   I thank You for superior support of the parade committee.Your efforts make the parade an ongoing legacy.The Parade Committee is able to see the results of the countless hours of meetings and phone calls e-mails and set up work coordinating the Parade.We wish you well and hope you will be with us for your 4th year.
   Best of wishes to you and your family.Walter Z

   Reply
9. Norm Bloomfield says:

   June 1, 2008 at 7:27 pm

   Small town America at it’s best….You are a genius….

   Reply
10. nancy leardi says:

    May 31, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    So emotionally beautiful,inspired by God.
    Thank you dear friend!

    Reply
11. Suzanne Nann says:

    May 31, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Thank you Julie for recording another amazing Memorial Day in Metuchen. Thank you, Jan, Nick and Walter for forwarding this beautiful site to me in Fountain Hills. The Memorial Day Committee and the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce has done another magnificent job!

    It was truly a joy to see so many familar faces and to see the proud tradition continue in the best small town in this great Nation.

    God Bless America and especially bless all those who have fought and continue to fight each day for our freedom.

    Reply
12. John Mulhern says:

    May 31, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    Dear Julie,
    I am always overwhelmed at Memorial Day ceremonies. Captain Zjawin,USMC is my son in law,married to Ellen and my other daughter, Anne, is an Ensign in the United States Coast Guard stationed on a law enforcement cutter. Thank you for your work on this tribute to our service men and women. I will send this to my daughter and her shipmates. They will appreciate it. God bless you and God bless America.

    Reply
13. Carol Riggi says:

    May 31, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    What a beautiful day. You managed to capture the heart, soul and spirit of those you photographed – young and old – honoring past, present and future.

    Makes one proud to live here.

    God bless America! God bless you!

    Reply
14. Jeanne Achille says:

    May 31, 2008 at 9:40 am

    Julie,

    Jan Margolis forwarded this slide show to me. Am mesmerized by its beauty and the emotions that you so aptly captured and conveyed in it. Thanks for doing such a great job.

    Best,

    Jeanne Achille

    Reply
15. mike shephard says:

    May 31, 2008 at 7:14 am

    Well Jules, you’ve done it again. Excellent slideshow! Really captured the spirit of the day.
    Great job!
    Mike and co.

    Reply