(Cherry Hill, N.J.) – Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn and the members of Township Council will honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States at the Township’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, 10:45 a.m. Monday, May 29, on the grounds of the Municipal Complex, 820 Mercer St.
This year, the Township is honored to announce that it has received approval for a fighter jet flyover as part of the ceremony. The two F16 jets will be flown by the New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing from Atlantic City, and will fly in over the Township’s War Memorial at 11 a.m., weather-permitting.
This is the first time the 177th Fighter Wing has participated in the Township’s commemoration. While the ceremony itself is rain or shine, the flyover is weather-dependent. Residents in the surrounding area are advised that they will hear louder-than-normal aircraft noise at the time of the flyover.
This year’s ceremony will pay tribute to all those who have given their lives for our country, with special focus on our own hometown heroes killed in action since World War II; tributes are also planned for POW/MIA, as well as veterans who have passed away in the last year.
Col. Martin F. Klein, deputy commander of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. The program will also include a musical tribute to our Armed Forces by the Cherry Hill Pine Barons Chorus.
“Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most significant holidays, when we remember those who selflessly laid down their lives to ensure that we can live in freedom,” Mayor Cahn said. “I’m proud to join with the members of our community to honor these hometown heroes and the more than 1.3 million others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.”
Veterans and active-duty military are encouraged to attend, and will be recognized during the program.
“We are proud to honor our fallen heroes, as well as those who have served or are presently serving, by participating in events like this flyover in Cherry Hill,” said Col. Bradford Everman of the 177th.
Our Memorial Day service is planned and supported by Cherry Hill Township in partnership with American Legion Post 372 and Jewish War Veterans Furer-Barag-Wolf Post 126, and with the support of our community partners Penn Medicine of Cherry Hill, the Cherry Hill Mall, and ShopRite Supermarkets of Cherry Hill. Special thanks to the volunteers from Smoke N’ Hogs BBQ, who will prepare a free barbecue lunch for the public following the ceremony.
For more information, members of the public can call the Cherry Hill Department of Recreation at (856) 488-7868, or email Events@chtownship.com.