Memorial Day Parade Perth Amboy 5/28/18
*Photos by Katherine Massopust

I love a parade, but I believe the music played should be appropriate.

Memorial Day was a great day for a parade in Perth Amboy and I was filled with pride watching the participants from every age group: the marching bands playing patriotic music, military apparatus, veterans, members of different City departments, youth organizations and everyone else in between.

The only thing that I found disheartening towards the end of the parade was the loud dance music playing from some of the vehicles. 

I thought that I would be the only one that found this disturbing. I happened have a conversation with 4 women (3 who looked like they were in their late teens)who said they were pleasantly surprised by the parade. But, they couldn’t understand why they were playing dance music for a Memorial Day parade. I told them I would be writing an editorial in regards to how I found this music disturbing for this parade. They told me that they agreed with me.

I had written an editorial about the same issue a few years ago.

I had gone to other events, such as the dedication of the Huey Helicopter at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Homdel which was very moving and tastefully done.

In the past, I would have people cover patriotic parades in Sayreville and South Amboy. I would ask the people who covered those parades if any of the participants played dance music during the parade. They told me, “No.” So, maybe I’m missing something here. Maybe someone can enlighten me why it has become so popular in Perth Amboy. There are a lot of patriotic songs that are uplifting. Why is dance music being allowed in this parade? This is puzzling to me.

Call me old-fashioned, but I remember watching military parades in Perth Amboy where a large contingent of military personnel marching: both veterans and active service personnel.

If anyone can tell me why the inclusion of dance music has been incorporated in the last couple of years, I’m all ears. As for me, I love a patriotic song, and let the dance music be left for a celebration of occasions such as St. Patrick’s Day, Puerto Rican Festivals, Dominican Festivals, Mardi gras, etc.

Here are some Patriotic Songs for Memorial Day:

1) The Star-Spangled Banner

2) God Bless America

3) America the Beautiful

4) “It’s America” – Rodney Atkins

5) “God Bless The USA” – Lee Greenwood

6) “For You” – Keith Urban

7) “If You’re Reading This” – Tim McGraw

8) “American Soldier” – Toby Keith

9) “Home” – Dierks Bentley

10) “Only in America” – Brooks & Dunn

11) “Some Gave All” – Billy Ray Cyrus

12) “Still A Soldier” – Trace

C.M.

Memorial Day parade