American Legion Post #331 and the Borough of Avalon will host a Memorial Day Parade and ceremony to be held on Monday, May 29th.  The parade steps off at 9:00am at 32nd Street and Dune Drive and will proceed north to Veterans Plaza at 21st Street and Dune Drive with the ceremony to begin at approximately 9:30am.

The parade’s marshall will be Commodore Lisa Natalizio from the Avalon Yacht Club.  The parade will include many Avalon civic and charitable organizations and will also feature Miss Avalon, Julia Magill; Miss Teen Avalon Madelyn Hays; a Patriots Brass Ensemble; a mounted unit from the Cape May County Sheriffs Department’s Chief Warrant Officer Mounted Unit and his horse “Dodge”; and bagpiper Michael F. Bell.

“It is important for all citizens to take time during Memorial Day weekend to honor the service and legacy of the brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom that we enjoy today”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.  “This event is equally important to our friends and neighbors at American Legion Post #331, and to residents and visitors in the Borough of Avalon”.

The ceremony will also feature comments from Lt. Colonel Robert “Scott” Volkert, United States Marines.  Lt. Col. Volkert was selected in the summer of 2011 to serve a joint assignment in the White House Airlift Operations department within the White House Military Office as a Presidential Airlift/Operations Coordinator.  Lt. Col. Volkert was the principal planner and developed comprehensive transportation support packages including mission-specific national contingency plans for the President, Vice President, Cabinet secretaries, and other White House Staff.

In 2013, Lt. Col. Volkert assumed the duties as the Deputy Director of Operations for the White House Military Office where he was responsible for the oversight of the White House Airlift Operations and the President’s Emergency Operations Center.  He has earned five separate Instructor of the Year awards.

The ceremony will include the presentation of memorial wreaths from community organizations, the playing of “Taps”, a rifle salute, and patriotic music from the Seven Mile Singers.