Classic Cars and Clydsedales to Kick Off Memorial Day in Warren

Warren will honor its veterans during several Memorial Day events on Monday.

The day's activities will begin with a dedication of the township's 9/11 monument at 9:30 a.m. The monument was designed as a place for residents to come and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. It will be dedicated to first responders from the New York Fire Department, New York Police Department, Port Authority Police Department and Emergency Medical Services volunteers who died trying to save the lives of others.

The monument was initially set to be dedicated in November 2012, but the ceremony had to be rescheduled after Superstorm Sandy hit.

"Donations are still needed to pay for all the costs associated with creating the monument venue," according to a press release about the dedication.

Committeewoman Carolann Garafola and Deputy Mayor Gary P. DiNardo will lead the dedication ceremony and comments will be made by Police Chief Russell Leffert, former Fire Chief Tim McGowan, and Rescue Squad President Paul Rapps.

Immediately following the dedication (around 11 a.m.), the annual parade will begin with several local organizations marching from the western end of Washington Valley Extension to the Warren Municipal Building. The parade is being coordinated by the American Legion Post 293 and member Charles Hogan and Warren resident and Parade Committee member Douglas Reeder.

Police and EMS vehicles will lead the parade, followed by the Watchung Hills Regional High School band, several classic cars driven by WW II veterans, a horse-drawn carriage and several Clydsedale horses. Other antique cars will also be driven before the Warren Middle School band performs and many local sports teams make their way down the roads.

The Warren Township Volunteer Fire Company will also participate in the parade.

At the end of the parade, a special wreath-laying laying ceremony will be held at the municipal building. The public will then be invited to attend one of two free picnics hosted at the American Legion hall on Community Place or the Elk Lodge, one block away from the municipal building.

Who are you most excited to see in the Warren Memorial Day parade? Tell us in the comments.