Memorial Day Parade will march through Milford, bigger than before, mayor predicts

The Annual Memorial Day Parade for Pike County, on May 30, will be hosted by Mountain Laurel VFW Post 8612. Three other veterans organizations will follow them, and then other local groups and vehicles of various sizes. Veteran groups will include American Legion Post 139, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 623 and Marine Corp League 909.

The Delaware Valley High School Marching Band will follow veterans, then Milford Borough Council, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of Milford, Milford Little League and the American Legion Riders.

Also in motion with the parade will be a few vintage cars and an army 5-ton vehicle driven by Gary Anderson of Shohola. Last will come the fire departments.

“I invited all the fire departments in Pike County,” said Gregory Protsko, Mountain Laurel VFW Post 8612 commander. “We’ll have Milford, Dingmans, Westfall, Shohola, Greeley, and Lackawaxen participating.”

After the parade, the VFW will do a ceremony and wreath laying at Keihl Park on Broad St. Then Marine Corp League 909 and American Legion Post 139 will do a wreath laying at Milford Beach, and VFW Post 8612 will have a graveside ceremony for one of their past WWII members.

The Milford Memorial Day Parade is expected to be bigger this year than in previous years, said Mayor Sean Strub, who provided the following protocol.

Parade participants will gather at Ann Street Park beginning around 9:30 a.m. At 10:15 a.m., the parade will head down 5th St. to Harford St., and turn left on Harford and left on Broad St. They will gather at 10 a.m. at Pike County Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Kiehl Park, at Broad Street and High Street.

All Covid-19 CDC guidelines are expected to be followed for social distancing and masks. The ceremony will be cancelled if weather is inclement.

Ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. The opening prayer will be led by John Kupillas, from VFW Post 8612. Greg Mascola, VFW 8612 Sgt. at Arms, will lead the flag raising and Salute to Colors.

Gregory Protsko, commander of VFW-8612, will be keynote speaker, and Chuck O’Neil will read a poem, “The Corner.” Veterans groups will present the Remembrance Wreath, and the Delaware Valley Marching Band will play Taps. Wreath laying at the Delaware River will be done by American Legion 139 and Marine Corp League 909.