In this day and age, there are few town traditions that have endured more than a century. In Hopewell Borough, one such tradition continues proudly: the Memorial Day Parade, now in its 157th year. The parade has marched down Broad Street through multiple wars, national tragedies, political disagreements among neighbors, and even the COVID-19 pandemic — yet it remains an unbroken tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives in service to our country.
Hopewell Borough’s Memorial Day Parade began in traditional fashion, with local veterans, police officers, and firefighters carrying a giant American flag. The Pipes & Drums of the Blue and Gold — a New Jersey State Police band led by Pipe Major Jeff Bowman — played stirring bagpipe music that brought a tear to this reporter’s eye. (As a descendant of Clan McIntyre, I am genetically predisposed to weep at public bag-pipery.)
To the delight of several hundred flag-waving residents lining Broad Street, the parade continued with displays of police and military vehicles, classic and modern fire trucks, ambulances, classic cars, farm tractors, the Hopewell Valley Central High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from local troops, and floats by businesses such as Old Glory Detailing, Fairground Farm, and Chubby’s Restaurant.
After the parade, awards were presented by Master of Ceremonies Joey Novak, Hopewell Township fire commissioner. Honorees included:
- Best Appearing Float: Fairground Farm & Chubby’s Luncheonette
- Best Appearing Military Vehicle: Joe LeRochelle (1975 Trike)
- Kids Bicycle Brigade: 1st Place Nora Cassaday, 2nd Place Cleona Cassaday, 3rd Place Molly Farmer
- Best Appearing Scout Troop: Montgomery Scout Troop #46
- Best Antique Tractor: 1938 John Deere driven by Dylan Drift
- Best Appearing Marching Unit (Junior Division): Hopewell Valley Central High School Marching Band
- Best Appearing Marching Unit (Senior Division): Hopewell Valley American Legion Post 339
The Hopewell Valley American Legion Post 339 also performed a 21-gun salute, followed by the laying of memorial wreaths by local dignitaries. Hopewell Elementary School teacher Dana Pontani sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Amazing Grace,” and “God Bless America,” while residents reflected quietly or sang along.
A special moment in the ceremony came with recognition of Joe LeRochelle’s 1975 trike, which was awarded Best Military Vehicle. LeRochelle, a local resident, designed the unique motorcycle to honor ten U.S. Army comrades who were killed in battle during the Vietnam War on May 14, 1969 — a day he personally survived.
“This is my second year winning the award for Best Military Vehicle in the Hopewell Borough Parade,” said LeRochelle, whose trike is adorned with artwork commemorating patriotism, military service, and the memory of his fallen friends. “I do it to remember my friends. May 14, 1969.”
The post-parade ceremony at Hopewell Elementary included flags, floral wreaths, and a display of an unknown soldier’s boots, followed by hot dogs, drinks, and frozen desserts for attendees. Co-chairs Ali Myers and Julie Paul, along with Paul’s husband Joe Paul, and their two children played an essential role in managing the event and ensuring participants were fed, hydrated, and well coordinated.
“It just keeps going on. This is what neighborhood is all about,” said one Broad Street resident. “On the national scene, things go up and down. But we’ll always have ancestors who sacrificed. We’ll always have our Memorial Day Parade — where it doesn’t matter what party you vote for, it matters that you honor people who have died in service to this country.”
Photos by Mike Chipowsky
