John J. Maziekien Will Be Grand Marshal of Freehold Memorial Day Parade

The 2011 Freehold Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30 will honor all veterans, but this year, World War II veterans will be a focal point.

Cpl. John J. Maziekien, 87, of Marlboro will serve as grand marshal of the 137th annual parade, according to Freehold Borough Council President George Schnurr. Maziekien served in the Pacific front with the Marines during World War II. He became a New Jersey State Trooper in 1947 and served over 31 years, rising to the rank of lieuteant. He is a member of the Marine Corps League Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment #203 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4374. Maziekien was named New Jersey Marine of the Year in 1993.

Five area veterans groups, including American Legion Post #54, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4374, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #74, Marine Corps League Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment #203, and Jewish War Veterans Post #539, rotate the selection of the parade’s marshal, Schnurr said. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4374 selected Maziekien for this year’s Memorial Day Parade.

The event will have two masters of ceremonies: Marlboro Councilman Jeff Cantor, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4374 member and a lieutenant colonel in the Army, will serve as Elks Point service of reflection master of ceremonies and former Freehold Borough Councilman Kevin Coyne will serve as reviewing stand master of ceremonies.

The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Brinckerhoff Ave. and Main St. with a flag-draped casket accompanied by active members of the military leading the procession. Schnurr said area businessman Gerald Norkus, owner of Norkus Enterprises, will sponsor a flyover by a vintage aircraft over the parade route.

While the event may be fast approaching, there will still be opportunities for area residents to support the parade in the coming weeks. The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee will hold two dining to donate events. On April 26, eat at The Cabin from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., present a flyer, and 20 percent of your pre-tax bill will be donated to the parade. The committee worked with the Freehold Borough Partnership to craft a three-day dining event May 1 through May 3. Eat at the Court Jester, the Metropolitan Café, Federici’s or the Market Yard Grille, present a flyer and 10 percent of the pre-tax bill will go to the parade. If you eat at three of these restaurants over the three-day period, they will donate an extra 10 percent.