Showing the respect and honor the American Legion Post 141 and the Borough of Atlantic Highlands has for its police chief and his department, Chief Scott Reinert was grand marshal of the Memorial Day parade for the fourth year, thanking the crowd at the Memorial service following the parade for their kindness and thoughtfulness.
The chief said it was a day to remember all those who have lost their lives in defense of the country. Referring to names inscribed on the memorial at Memorial Park on First Avenue, Reinert said he was marching “for each of them,” expressing his personal thanks for all those who served in the military.
The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club marched in this year’s parade for the first time, showing the camaraderie and pride yacht club members take in having their members participate in the annual municipal event.
Founded in 1953, the mission of the club is to attract and bring together dedicated individuals who share a mutual respect for the sea, and to encourage and advance all aspects of boating, yacht racing, and on-water activities.
The club provides a welcome and safe haven to yachtsmen and yachtswomen who visit the harbor. It is highly regarded for its location within the protected Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor and maintains the reputation of being a convenient and popular stopover for boaters cruising or in transit to Sandy Hook and New York Harbor.
Bands from both the Henry Hudson Regional school and the Highlands Elementary school provided music during the parade which extended from the Yacht Harbor to the Memorial Park here services were held at the end of the parade.
The fire department, along with Navesink are the traditional final parts of the parade, but not before the children’s recreational activities and Boy Scout Troop 22 all parade, wave to the crowd and show their love for the community.
The Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad, always an essential part of the borough, displayed their equipment which they raise funds through generous donors to purchase, waving to the crowd and accepting applause along the route.
In the meantime, volunteers with the American Legion handed out candies, poppies and American flags walking along the route to ensure they got to greet everyone and offer them symbols of patriotism and candies for the kids.
In addition to the band and taps, the Hudson choir, as well as Councilman Brian Dougherty and Stefanie Hayden provided music throughout the memorial service. Members of the Legion Post 141 placed flags on the memorial as the names of each of the local men who lost their lives in war were solemnly called out.
The MAST Honor Guard provided a color guard for the ceremony, under the leadership of c/Lt. Cdr. Nicholas Bellows. Prior to marching in the parade, the Honor Guard earlier had also presented a similar guard in Middletown for a memorial service at Croydon Hall.
