Here’s a roundup of Memorial Day events happening in and around Cherry Hill.
Cherry Hill’s Memorial Day Ceremony continues the nearly 160-year tradition of honoring U.S. military personnel who died while serving their country. Local veteran organizations and officials will come together to pay tribute to the fallen. County Commissioner Melinda Kane, an American Gold Star Mother, will deliver the keynote address.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at the Municipal Complex (820 Mercer St.). Find out more about the event here.
Additional Events and Parades Nearby:
Glassboro’s Memorial Day Parade
- When: Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (military flyover at 10:22 a.m.)
- Where: Downtown Glassboro
- More Info: Glassboro Parade and Military Flyover
Haddonfield Memorial Day Parade
- When: Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Where: Parade begins at Kings Highway and Chestnut Street, followed by a remembrance ceremony at Haddonfield Memorial High School.
- More Info: Haddonfield Parade
Haddon Twp. Memorial Day Service
- When: Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m.
- Where: Westmont Fire Co. No. 1 (120 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township)
- More Info: Haddon Twp. Service
Memorial Day Skate
- When: Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Millennium Skate World (1900 Carman St., Camden)
- More Info: Memorial Day Skate
Gloucester Township Memorial Day Ceremony
- When: Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m.
- Where: Veterans Memorial (1261 Chews Landing Rd., Clementon)
- More Info: Gloucester Township Ceremony
A Brief History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, dates back to 1868 when Gen. John A. Logan established a day to honor Northern soldiers who died during the Civil War. Over time, the name changed to Memorial Day, and it became a federal holiday in 1971.
Waterloo, New York, is recognized as the birthplace of Memorial Day. The town’s observance on May 5, 1866, involved closing businesses and decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers and flags, predating Logan’s proclamation.
Initially, the holiday honored only Union soldiers, with Southern states holding separate commemorations. After World War I, the tradition expanded to honor all U.S. military personnel who died in service.
Every Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place. Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute in silence to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for their country. This midday time was chosen because it is when many Americans are enjoying their holiday freedoms, making it a poignant moment to reflect on the cost of those freedoms.
For more details on these events and Memorial Day’s history, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
