Grand Marshal.
The term originates from the military Field Marshal, a high-ranking officer who inspects the troops as they march past during a procession. Over the years, it has become something in its own right; an honor bestowed on a person by being made the leader of a parade.
This year, to commemorate the return of the Roselle Park Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Service, the 2014 Grand Marshal is Samuel Damiano, the nephew and namesake of Salvatore “Sam” Damiano, one of the Roselle Park Doughboys who did not return home from World War I, or the Great War as it was known before they gave wars a number.
Salvatore “Sam” Damiano was killed in action in France on September 24, 1918, just prior to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Grand Marshal Samuel Damiano is himself a World War II combat veteran. He received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Italy. Sam was hit by sniper fire while feeling his way through minefields in order to save his company.
The Roselle Park Memorial Day Parade will kick-off on Monday, May 26th, at 10 a.m. from Sherman Elementary School with the help of the Mayor and Council, Newark Mounted Police, the Roselle Park Honor Guard, members of the Blue Knights, Roselle Park Clergy, Board of Education members, “Town Crier” Barbara Jean Delnero, and local veterans.
Also marching in the procession will be members of:
- Aditi Dance School
- Community United Methodist Church
- Community United Methodist Preschool
- Msgr. Loreti Council #3240 Knights of Columbus
- Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption
- Roselle-Roselle Park Rotary Club
- Roselle Park Boy Scouts
- Roselle Park Community Center Association
- Roselle Park Democratic Committee
- Roselle Park Elementary School Marching Bands
- Roselle Park Fire Department
- Roselle Park First Aid Squad
- Roselle Park Friends of the Library
- Roselle Park Girl Scouts
- Roselle Park High School Marching Band
- Roselle Park Republican Committee
- Roselle Park Veterans’ Memorial Library
- and other community groups.
The parade will proceed from Sherman School on East Grant Avenue to Chestnut Street past the reviewing stand on Chestnut Street and the corner of East Clay Avenue and then ending on the grounds of the Roselle Park Veterans’ Memorial Library.
Immediately after the parade, there will be a Memorial Day Service on the front grounds of the library followed by a free picnic at the Casano Community Center located at 314 Chestnut Street which is co-sponsored by the Roselle Park Community Center Association, the Roselle Park Education Association, Cornell Hall, and the Borough of Roselle Park.
When reached for comment, Mr. Damiano stated, “It is an honor to be selected as this year’s Grand Marshal. Thank you to everyone.”
For more information or to participate in the day’s events, feel free to contact Karen Intile from the Casano Community Center at (908) 245-0666.