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September 24, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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Basilone Parade
To honor its National World War II hero, Marine Sgt. John Basilone, Borough of Raritan will host its 42nd Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade.
Basilone received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his gallant action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, and the Navy Cross posthumously for more heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima where he was killed in 1945.
Best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H, actress Loretta Swit will be the special guest riding in this year’s parade.
The Grand Marshal is World War II Veteran Archie Fagan who participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp.
Preceding the parade on Sept. 24, the John Basilone Museum at the Raritan Public Library will be open to visitors at 10 a.m., and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church at 10 a.m.
Marching along Somerset Street in downtown Raritan will include military groups and veterans’ organizations, floats, boy scouts, girl scouts, ROTC units, Civil Air Patrol Cadets, military vehicles, Marine detachments, fire companies, rescue squads and other civic and patriotic groups.
Join us for the 2023 parade which is scheduled for
Sunday September 24th at 1pm
John Basilone is the only Enlisted Marine:
– To be awarded both The Congressional Medal of Honor and The Navy Cross.
– To return to action after being presented the Medal of Honor and be killed in action.
– To have an annual parade in his honor
