A parade that stretched for nearly a mile and a ceremony capped by the playing of “Taps” highlighted the May 27 observance of Memorial Day in the township.

Along the way was a flyover by a Coast Guard rescue helicopter and a rendition of the Gettysburg Address by an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.

Participating in the parade, which ran from the corner of New Brunswick Road and DeMott Lane to the Municipal Complex on DeMott, were a variety of groups, including Boy, Cub and Girl Scout troops, the township’s fire companies, the township Republican and Democratic clubs, the Franklin High School JROTC cadets and Warrior Marching Band and the Canal Walk Veterans Club.

The parade Grand Marshall, Milt Gottlieb, a World War II veteran who served under Gen. George Patton, recounted his experiences liberating German work camps near the end of the war, and PJ Parker, co-publisher of the Franklin Reporter & Advocate, sand the National Anthem.

The parade was organized by township residents Bob and Nancy LaCorte, in conjunction with township program coordinator Windy White.

The FR&A live streamed the parade and the ceremony, which took place in Veterans Memorial Park:

Here is an expanded photo gallery from the day: