Brief: Memorial Day Parade Planned for Monday

Westfield's Memorial Day Celebrations kick off Monday morning at 9 am. at the war memorials downtown.

The annual festivities will start with ceremonies at the war memorial plaza at the corner of North Avenue and East Broad Street, next to the train tressle. Mayor Andy Skibitsky will preside over the annual ceremony, which will include a 21-gun salute, the singing of the national anthem and tributes to members of the military. Bob Riley, the commander of the Mountainside VFW and grand marshal of the parade, is expected to speak to the crowd.

Following the mayor's speech, ground will be broken for the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the site. Westfield resident Luke Gibbons is as his Eagle Scout project. The only Vietnam memorial in town currently is a plaque at the Memorial Pool.

The parade will kick off at 9:30 and proceed down East Broad Street through downtown Westfield. The parade will feature police officers, firefighters, the town bell, elected officials, and members of Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops marching. Crowds are expected to line East Broad Street. The Westfield Community Band and bands from Westfield High School, Edison Intermediate School and Roosevelt Intermediate School are expected to perform along the parade route.

The parade will end at Fairview Cemetery, where the VFW will hold their annual tribute ceremony on top of the hill. The WHS band is expected to perform as part of the tribute. Orangeade and water will be available for all parade participants at the cemetery.