Memorial Day is Monday, May 26. Events taking place in the Two River area on this solemn day
pay tribute to the men and women who died in military service. According to History.com, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and originated in the years following the Civil War.
It became an official federal holiday in 1971. Area events will take place May 26.
Atlantic Highlands
American Legion C. Eugene Allen Post 141 will conduct an annual parade and service. The parade will assemble at the marina at 10:30 a.m. and step off at 11 a.m., concluding with a service at Veterans Park on First Avenue. In the event of rain, there will be no parade, but there will be a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School auditorium.
Colts Neck
The Memorial Day parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 1 Veterans Way, pause for a ceremony at Memorial Park and continue to Firehouse #2 for a picnic. The decorated bike contest takes place before the parade and entrants should register by 10 a.m. Shuttlebus service from Town Hall to the firehouse will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Fair Haven
The Memorial Day parade begins at 9 a.m. at Sportsman’s Field off Hance Road, ending at Memorial Park on River Road for a 9:45 a.m. ceremony.
Holmdel
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation ceremony will take place at 11 a.m.. Those planning to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony should notify the organization by May 20. Contact Diana Chodnicki at 732- 335-0033 ext. 109.
The township will have its own ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Holmdel Town Hall. The ceremony will include music by the Holmdel High School band, speeches, memorial wreath presentations, changing of the U.S. flag and military flags. Light refreshments will be served at the end of the ceremony. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Holmdel Senior/ Community Center at 6 Crawfords Corner Road.
Lincroft
The annual wreath-laying ceremony at Historic Cedar View Cemetery, next to St. Leo’s Church, across from the Lincroft First Aid Building at 58 Hurley’s Lane, will take place at 2 p.m. The event will honor the former United States Colored Troops and remember those who were part of and helped to build the community. Sponsorships are available for the event. Contact John Smack, board president. In case of bad weather, the event will be held in the St. Leo’s school auditorium. cedarviewcemetery.org.
Little Silver
The annual Memorial Day Parade will step off promptly at 8:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 9 a.m. in Memorial Park on Prospect Avenue.
Middletown
Middletown Township and the American Legion Post 338 encourage residents to come together for the annual Memorial Day Parade to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and served our country. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Bayshore Middle School and conclude at American Legion Post 338. Dignitaries will speak at the Post, and then hot dogs and beverages will be served.
Monmouth Beach
The Veterans Association will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank property, Beach Road. The Red Bank Marine Combat Logistics Battalion 25 will provide a Color Guard as part of the event. There will be a bugler and Marine Corps Col. Thomas Stona will be the guest speaker.
Oceanport
The Oceanport Memorial Day parade has a step-off time of 9:30 a.m. The parade route is along Oceanport’s main thoroughfare, which is Port Au Peck Avenue. The borough has also announced that the grand marshal for the 2025 parade will be Frederick W.B. Elsen.
Red Bank
A ceremony will take place starting at 11 a.m. at the Veterans’ Monument, 51 Monmouth St. In case of rain, it will take place at the Red Bank Elks Lodge #233. Residents and organizations may order wreaths to be delivered ahead of time to the monument by emailing rbcommunity@redbanknj.org.
Rumson
A parade will take place beginning at 10 a.m. at Black Point Road, at the Forrestdale School. A ceremony will take place after the parade at Victory Park, Lafayette Street.
Sea Bright
A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Sea Bright Fire Rescue building, 1099 E. Ocean Ave.
Shrewsbury
The annual observance is at 11 a.m. at Patriot Isle, Sycamore Avenue. The public is invited to join the mayor and borough council after the ceremony at Manson Park for light refreshments sponsored by the borough’s first responders.
The article originally appeared in the May 22 – 28, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
