These N.J. towns are holding virtual Memorial Day salutes during the coronavirus pandemic

Gov. Phil Murphy’s statewide shutdown order during the coronavirus pandemic pretty much has lowered the flag on Memorial Day parades and commemorations throughout the state, so some communities are redirecting their tributes to the internet.

And at least a couple of towns have devised ways to still take it to the streets.

◊ In place of its annual Memorial Day parade, Berkeley Heights in Union County has scheduled “Operation We Remember 2020: Remembering the Fallen, by Honoring the Living.” The Berkeley Heights Police Department and members of PBA Local 144 will conduct a “Drive-By Salute” on Memorial Day Monday, May 25, starting at 10:30 am., riding past the homes of local veterans in “tribute to our fallen service members.”

HELP HONOR FALLEN VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY FROM YOUR HOME..

“This Memorial Day is different than any other before,” the event organizers explain in their webpage announcement. “We cannot gather in person to remember and pay tribute to those who gave their lives for our great country.”

To have a Berkeley Heights veteran recognized in the drive-by, register online or call 908-771-2065 and leave a voicemail with the veteran’s name and address. The organizers stress current government advisories must be adhered to, so those participating must follow social distancing and limit group gathering size.

◊ Woodland Park in Passaic County has canceled its 2020 Memorial Day street fair and parade, but will conduct virtual ceremonies at 9:30 and 10 a.m. on May 25 on its Facebook page and PVTV public access channel 77. This will be followed at 11 a.m. by a police, fire and military vehicle procession through the borough, stopping at each street named after “our killed-in-action heroes to salute their service.”

The municipality also has an ongoing campaign to decorate McBride Avenue with banners personally honoring local veterans and active military. The banners will be displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Sponsorships are available by calling 973-256-1264 or emailing Lori Brigati at ibrigati@wpnj.us.

◊The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Era Museum in Holmdel, Monmouth County, will webcast its Memorial Day ceremony live 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, on its Facebook and Instagram pages, then post the video of it on its website for future viewing. The program will open with welcoming remarks from Monmouth University professor and NJCCMF trustee Melissa Ziobro. The National Anthem will be sung by local actress Ali Gleason followed by remarks from New Jersey Vietnam veterans and presentation of scholarships to graduating seniors Abigail Lim and Julie Zulin, who will read their winning essays. For information visit njvvmf.org or call 732-335-0033.

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◊ Colts Neck in Monmouth County will have a Memorial Day Drive-Thru Tribute, 11 a.m.-noon Monday, May 25. A patriotic display at town hall’s Garden of Remembrance, 124 Cedar Drive, will be viewable by those in vehicles entering via Winthrop Road and exiting on Heritage Lane. colts-neck.nj.us.

◊ Washington Township in Morris County’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be available online for viewing from Saturday, May 23, through the three-day weekend. The program will be anchored with closing remarks by Washington Township Veterans Association Post 1776 commander and retired U.S. Navy Reserves AVCM Thomas V. McBride, who will salute the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and 45th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. For information, call 908-876-5941, email recreation@wtmorris.net or visit wtmorris.org.

◊ Summit in Union County is lining up for a digital Memorial Day Parade, to be posted on the city Department of Community Program’s Facebook page on Saturday, May 23.

Local residents are invited to “march” in the parade by submitting photos and videos of themselves and family members, as well as homemade posters, fliers or other artwork “thanking those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.” Submit entries to dguidajr@cityofsummit.org no later than Thursday, May 21. For information, call 908-277-2932.

◊ Bernardsville in Somerset County is putting together a Memorial Day video of local residents young and old “thanking our veterans for their service.” The final cut will be posted on the borough website. Those wishing to submit a message can contact the township recreation department at 908-766-2546 or email Neil Mastrobuono at nmastrobuono@bernardsvilleboro.org.

◊ Wyckoff in Bergen County is replacing its annual parade and ceremonies with a 2020 Memorial Day video montage stitched together with contributions from the public. The Township Committee and Wyckoff Midland Park Memorial VFW Post 7086 put out a call for clips of local children singing National Anthem, playing Taps on a musical instrument and giving short recitations on “What Memorial Day Means to Me.” Also included will be photos from prior town Memorial Day parades and commemorations. The deadline for submissions has passed but for information, contact 201-891-7000 or captsheehan@yahoo.com.

◊ Old Bridge in Middlesex County will host a virtual Memorial Day ceremony 11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Though closed to the public, it can be viewed live on the township’s Facebook page. Residents also are invited to submit photos or short videos showing their support for veterans. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 20.

◊ Franklin Township in Somerset County has canceled its annual parade but will conduct a virtual Memorial Day ceremony at noon Monday, May 25. Call 732-991-1710 or email boblacorte52@gmail.com.

◊ For the first time in 65 years, there will be no Memorial Day parade in New Providence in Union County. In its stead, the borough and American Legion Post 433 will be producing a video of past parades and invited residents to submit clips and photos of the march, as well as wreath layings and other ceremonies. Email recdept@newprov.org or call 908-665-8258.

◊ Bloomfield in Essex County won’t have a parade this year, but is planning on conducting wreath laying 9:30 a.m. Monday, starting at the civic center and concluding at the Soldiers and Sailors monument. The services will be filmed and shown later in the day on WBMA-TV.

◊ Maplewood in Essex County is keeping its annual Memorial Day Rubber Duck Race afloat online via an interactive “DuckCenter” 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 -- with the special aim of buoying local businesses reeling from the COVID-19 clampdown.

"Local businesses in Maplewood and South Orange have supported the duck race with sponsorships and race prizes for over 20 years, and now it’s our turn to give back to them, said James Goodger, executive director of South Mountain YMCA, which sponsors the event. "This year the Y will commit 25 percent of duck race proceeds from our event to support SOMA small businesses.

“Our small businesses are a critical piece of our community’s fabric, and we are committed to doing something to help them bounce back from this.”

The race will be streamed on the South Mountain Y Facebook, Metro YouTube and South Mountain’s Instagram for viewers to “cheer, waddle at home or celebrate the race.” Duck sponsorships are available at various donation levels. The Y is collaborating with Special Improvement Districts of Maplewood Village Alliance, Springfield Avenue Alliance and the South Orange Village Center Alliance.

◊ Runners can get a huge head start in this year’s Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk in North Brunswick, Middlesex County. The 41st annual installment has gone “virtual,” so participants are encouraged to “fire their own starting gun” anytime between now and 1 p.m. Monday, May 25.

Signup is $7 and ends on Sunday, May 24. After completing their independent, socially distanced walk or run, participants are asked to submit their finishing times and share photos of their race day experience on the township Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Facebook and Instagram pages (#northbrunswickDPRCS). For information, email lbenson@northbrunswicknj.gov.

North Brunswick also has adapted its Memorial Day ceremonies to online. Plans include posting of videos of wreath laying at Sabella Park and Mayor Francis Womack’s interview with Virginia Sedock, sister of Pfc. Joseph Sabella, who was killed in action during the Korean War, followed by annual observances at Veterans Park and Elmwood Cemetery. Art from local elementary school students will be posted and there will be a panel discussion. All videos will have links on the township website. northbrunswicknj.gov, 732-247-0922.

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Though Gov. Murphy has opened New Jersey beaches in time for Memorial Day weekend, it’s not anticipated the state’s coronavirus safety measures will be eased to allow for other major public gatherings. Here’s a county-by-county overview of Memorial Day parades that have confirmed cancellations, with notes of announced alternate plans. Send your community Memorial Day information to event@njadvancemedia.com:

ATLANTIC COUNTY

BRIGANTINE Memorial Day Parade and ceremony, canceled. Citywide yard sales permitted with proper social distancing. 609-266-9477.

LONGPORT Memorial Day Parade, canceled. longportnj.gov, 609-823-2731.

BERGEN COUNTY

DUMONT Memorial Day Services and Parade, canceled. dumontnj.gov, 201-384-1453.

FAIR LAWN Memorial Day Parade, canceled, but borough is continuing with campaign to display 150 military and veterans banners along Fair Lawn Ave, River Road and other major roadways. fairlawn.org, 201-796-6746.

MONTVALE/PARK RIDGE/WOODCLIFF LAKE Tri-Boro Memorial Day Parade, canceled. montvale.org, 201-391-5700.

NORTH ARLINGTON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. northarlington.org, (201) 991-6060.

OAKLAND Memorial Day Parade, canceled. oakland-nj.org, 201-337-9845.

RAMSEY Memorial Day Parade, canceled. VFW working on alternate plans to honor those who died in military service. ramseynj.com, 201-825-3400.

WALDWICK Memorial Day Parade, canceled. Citizens encouraged to “honor country’s fallen heroes at dusk on Memorial Day by lighting candles of remembrance and placing them on front porches.” legionpost57.org, 201-652-9470.

WASHINGTON TWP. Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, canceled, but virtual observance planned, with residents invited to decorate their home exteriors and share 5-10 second videos to be shown on WCTV on May 25.. twpofwashington.us, 201-664-4404.

WYCKOFF Memorial Day Parade, canceled. See plans for video tribute above. wyckoff-nj.com, 201-891-7000.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

DELANCO Memorial Day Parade, canceled. delancotownship.com, 856-461-0561.

RIVERSIDE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. riversidetwp.org, 856-461-1460.

CAMDEN COUNTY

CAMDEN COUNTY Memorial Day Ceremony will be viewable online from 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, through Memorial Day week. camdencounty.com/event/virtual-memorial-day-ceremony.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

AVALON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. avalonboro.net, 609-967-3066.

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE Memorial Day Ceremony, canceled. capemaycountynj.gov, 609-4645-1010.

MIDDLE TWP. Memorial Day Parade, canceled. middletownship.com, 609-465-8732.

STONE HARBOR 7 Mile Island American Legion Parade and Ceremony, canceled. 609-368-5102.

WILDWOOD Memorial Day Parade, modified march taking place 6 p.m. Sunday, May 24, led by police and fire departments through Wildwood. wildwoodamericanlegion.com/memorialday

ESSEX COUNTY

BLOOMFIELD Memorial Day Parade, canceled. Closed 9:30 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony Monday, May 25, to be televised later in the day on WBMA-TV. See details above. 973-680-4000, bloomfieldtwpnj.com.

CEDAR GROVE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. cedargrovenj.org, 973-230-9944.

LIVINGSTON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. livingstonnj.org, 973-992-5000.

MAPLEWOOD Memorial Day Virtual Rubber Duck Race, see details above.

WEST ORANGE Memorial Day Ceremony, canceled. westorange.org, 973-325-4050.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

GLASSBORO Memorial Day Parade, canceled. glassboro.org/memorial-day-parade.

HUDSON COUNTY

BAYONNE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. www.facebook.com/bayonneparade.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

CALIFON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. califonborough-nj.org, 908-832-7850.

FLEMINGTON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. historicflemington.com, 908-391-3399.

MERCER COUNTY

HAMILTON Groveville-Hamilton Square Memorial Day Parade, canceled. hamiltonnj.com, nottinghamfire.org.

LAWRENCE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. recreation@lawrencetwp.com, 609-844-7067.

PENNINGTON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. penningtonboro.org, 609-737-0276.

PRINCETON Spirit of Princeton Memorial Day Parade, canceled. spiritofprinceton.org, 609-430-0144.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

CRANBURY Memorial Day Parade, canceled. cranburytownship.org, 609-395-0900.

EAST BRUNSWICK Memorial Day Observance, pre-recorded Memorial Day message from Mayor Brad Cohen, East Brunswick Veterans Alliance and local students, to be shown on EBTV cable channels various times from May 24 through June 14 or at ebpl.org/ebtv/vod.cfm. eastbrunswick.org, 732-390-6797.

EDISON Memorial Day Parade, canceled. edisonnj.org, 732-248-7298.

NORTH BRUNSWICK 41st Annual “Virtual” Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk, see details above.

Virtual Memorial Day Ceremonies, see details above. northbrunswicknj.gov, 732-247-0922.

OLD BRIDGE Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony, parade canceled but closed observance to be streamed on township Facebook page. See details above.

PERTH AMBOY/SOUTH AMBOY Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, canceled. ci.perthamboy.nj.us, 732-826-0290.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

ALLENTOWN Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Allentown Lions Club, canceled. allentownnj.com, 609-259-3151.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS Memorial Day Parade, canceled. atlantichighlands.org, 732-872-8711.

COLTS NECK Memorial Day Drive-Thru Tribute, 11 a.m.-noon, May 25, patriotic display at Garden of Remembrance, 124 Cedar Drive. See details above. colts-neck.nj.us.

FARMINGDALE Memorial Day Parade, postponed; new date to be determined. farmingdaleborough.org, 732-938-4077.

HOLMDEL Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, 1 Memorial Lane. See details above. njvvmf.org, 732-335-0033.

MATAWAN Memorial Day Parade, canceled. 732-566-3898, ext. 130.

MORRIS COUNTY

BUTLER/BLOOMINGDALE Memorial Day Parade and Services, canceled. bloomingdalenj.net, 973-838-0778, ext. 241.

LONG HILL Memorial Day Parade, canceled. Video montage posted of images from previous parades, Hometown Heroes banners, resident submissions. longhillnj.gov, 908-647-8000.

MORRIS PLAINS 34th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, canceled. morrisplainsboro.org, 973-538-2224.

NETCONG/STANHOPE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. stanhopenj.gov, 973-347-0159.

PARSIPPANY Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, canceled. parsippany.net, 973-263-7257 or 973-263-4350.

ROCKAWAY Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies, canceled. rockawaytownship.org, 973-627-7200.

WASHINGTON TWP. Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony, see details above. 908-876-5941, recreation@wtmorris.net.

OCEAN COUNTY

BRICK Memorial Day Parade, canceled, bricktownship.net, 732-477-1915.

LAKEWOOD Memorial Day Parade, postponed. lakewoodnj.gov, 732-364-2500, ext. 2771.

PASSAIC COUNTY

BLOOMINGDALE/BUTLER Memorial Day Parade and Services, canceled. bloomingdalenj.net, 973-838-0778, ext. 241.

HAWTHORNE Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, canceled. hawthornenj.org, 973-427-5555.

WAYNE Memorial Day Parade, postponed to Labor Day, Sept. 7, 973-366-1180.

WEST MILFORD Memorial Day Parade, canceled. westmilford.org, 973-728-7000.

WOODLAND PARK Memorial Day Street Fair and Parade, canceled but virtual ceremonies planned. See details above. wpnj.us, 973-345-8100.

SALEM COUNTY

PILESGROVE Salem County Annual Memorial Day Event, canceled, Salem County War Veterans Memorial Park. salemcountynj.gov, 856-935-7520.

SOMERSET COUNTY

BERNARDS Memorial Day Parade, canceled, bernards.org.

BERNARDSVILLE Memorial Day Tribute, recreation department producing video of resident-submitted “thank yous” to veterans for their service. See details above. 908-766-2546, nmastrobuono@bernardsvilleboro.org, bernardsvilleboro.org.

BRIDGEWATER Memorial Day Weekend Run and Picnic, Dawn Patrol Motorcycle Club scenic motorcycle ride through Central Jersey area, canceled. dawnpatrolmc.com, 908-722-4664.

FRANKLIN TWP. Memorial Day Parade, canceled; virtual ceremony planned noon Monday, May 25. See details above. franklintwpnj.org, 732-991-1710, boblacorte52@gmail.com.

SOMERVILLE Memorial Day Tour of Somerville, canceled. tourofsomerville.org

WARREN Memorial Day Parade, canceled. Township has “1,000 Flags” initiative, urging residents and businesses to display flags on Memorial Day. 908-753-8000.

SUSSEX COUNTY

STANHOPE/NETCONG Memorial Day Parade, canceled. stanhopenj.gov, 973-347-0159.

UNION COUNTY

BERKELEY HEIGHTS Memorial Day “Drive-By Salute,” see details above. 908-771-2065. berkeleyheights.gov.

CLARK Memorial Day Parade, canceled. ourclark.com, 732-388-3600.

FANWOOD/SCOTCH PLAINS Memorial Day Concert and Parade, canceled, with Memorial Day committee working on alternative ways to commemorate military war casualties. scotchplainsnj.gov, 908-939-8448.

NEW PROVIDENCE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. Borough planning video of past parades. See details above. newprov.org, 908-464-4430.

ROSELLE Memorial Day Parade, canceled. boroughofroselle.com, 908-634-4502.

ROSELLE PARK Memorial Day Parade, canceled. rosellepark.net, 908-245-0666.

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD Memorial Day Concert and Parade, canceled, with Memorial Day committee working on alternative ways to commemorate military war casualties. scotchplainsnj.gov, 908-939-8448.

SUMMIT Digital Memorial Day Parade, see details above. summitcommunityprograms.com, dguidajr@cityofsummit.org, 908-277-2932,

UNION Memorial Day Parade, canceled, Union Township Police Headquarters, 981 Caldwell Ave. uniontownship.com, 908-851-5096.

WARREN COUNTY

BLAIRSTOWN Memorial Day Parade, canceled. American Legion Post 258 to conduct ceremony noon Sunday, May 24, at Cedar Ridge Ceremony, adhering to all social distancing guidelines. 908-362-6695.

PHILLIPSBURG Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, canceled. 908-454-1170.

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