'Gone but Not Forgotten' Memorial Day Line-Up in Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes

The following were submitted to Patch by the Township of Wyckoff and the Borough of Franklin Lakes.

Wyckoff Memorial Day Celebrations

Wyckoff’s Memorial Day ceremonies and parade are scheduled for Monday, May 26. Ceremonies will begin at 9:00 am at Firehouse No. 1, directly behind Town Hall, where everyone is invited to attend the Firefighter’s Memorial Service. This service honors all deceased Wyckoff firefighters.

A Veteran’s Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the green of the Wyckoff Reformed Church on Wyckoff Avenue, site of the Township’s War Memorial. All local Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers, Military Veterans and the community are invited to attend the service and parade. In the event of rain, the parade will be canceled and the memorial service will be held inside the church.

During the 10:00 a.m. Veterans Memorial Service, Erik Ruebenacker, Midland Park-Wyckoff VFW Post #7086 will be the Master of Ceremonies. The Honorable Douglas J. Christie, Mayor of Wyckoff will give the welcoming address. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal is United States Army WWII Veteran Arthur (Art) Coppee. The memorial address will be given by Lt. Col. Matt Noble, USMCR (still in active reserve status, Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom). The Invocation and Benediction will be given by Pastor Jeff Riley from Powerhouse Christian Church and Matthew Fairchild from Powerhouse Christian Church will be the vocalist. 

New to the Memorial Service this year will be the reading of the award winning essay written by Kathleen Roughgarden who is a Wyckoff resident. Kathleen’s essay was submitted to the Midland Park-Wyckoff VFW Post #7086 Patriot’s Pen Contest and selected as the winner.

The theme of the parade is “Gone But Not Forgotten.” The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone Church, which is at the intersection of Wyckoff and Russell Avenues. The staging area for parade participants is behind Cornerstone Church. The parade will proceed from the Cornerstone Church and proceed left on Wyckoff Avenue, turn right onto Main Street, turn right onto Franklin Avenue and left into Town Hall and end at the Ambulance Corps building.

Refreshments will be provided behind Fire Company #1 courtesy of the Township Committee and the Parade Committee.

Franklin Lakes Memorial Day Celebrations

Come join us for this year’s Franklin Lakes Memorial Day Parade and pay tribute to our brave military men and women. The parade is scheduled for Monday, May 26th, at 9:00AM, and will begin on Commerce Street, proceed down Franklin Avenue to Veterans’ Plaza, where a ceremony commemorating our military heroes will take place. The Eagle Scouts will be unveiling their special project honoring our fallen heroes. 

This year we are honored to have as our Grand Marshal Raymond Gibello, a Franklin Lakes resident and decorated Korean War Veteran. 

There will be several bands including the popular Newark Firefighters Pipe Band, Hawthorne High School Band and “The 17 North Band”. Several town organizations will be marching, along with the Police Department, the Fire Department, and Ambulance Corps. 

In conjunction with Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI) we will again be hosting the popular “Critter Walk,” so bring your pets and march along. 

Come watch, march or ride your bicycle and join the parade. Please show your support and join us for this very special day! 

Will be serving complimentary hot dogs and refreshments too! 

Participants are asked to line up on Commerce Street at 8:15am.