Joseph Palladino has been a member of the American Legion Post 18 in Weehawken for more than 60 years. At 83, the World War II veteran is the oldest and most long-time member of the American Legion. A former commander of the Post, it was always assumed that Palladino had been given the opportunity to serve as grand marshal of the annual Weehawken Memorial Day parade.
But in reality, Palladino never did.
“I figured it was about time they made me grand marshal,” said Palladino, who has called Weehawken his home for the last 49 years, where he and his wife, Marie, the former court administrator for the township, raised their children. “I just wondered when they were going to get around to doing it.”
William Faistl, a retired Weehawken firefighter who now lives in Toms River, has been a member of the Oulton-Kraft Veterans of Foreign War Post 1923 for more than 60 years. Faistl, a World War II veteran, also never had a chance to serve as grand marshal in the parade.
“I was only the aide to the grand marshal once,” Faistl said. “Everyone thought I was the grand marshal.”
So it is only fitting that the two long-time standing members of the American Legion and VFW serve as co-grand marshals for this year’s parade, on a day when the national World War II Monument is being dedicated in Washington, D.C.
In fact, to commemorate the World War II Memorial, the township is reaching out to all World War II veterans in north Hudson and asking them if they would like to march in the Weehawken parade as a way to honor the veterans of the historic war that changed the face of the entire world.
According to the federal Veterans Administration records, World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1,000 per day.
“There aren’t a lot of us left,” said Palladino, who served as an airplane mechanic during his three-year tour of duty with the United States Air Force during the war, working at Air Force bases in Nebraska, Kansas and Utah, but never shipped overseas. “We’re all dying off. It’s important to keep the memory alive.”
The 66th annual Memorial Day Parade, one of the oldest in Hudson County, will hold assembly at 9 a.m. Monday, with the parade slated to begin at 9:30 a.m.
The parade will begin at Highpoint Avenue and travel to Hudson Place to Maple Street. The parade will then make a right turn on Maple Street, then a left on Ridgeley Place to Park Avenue. It will continue north on Park Avenue to 49th Street, then east on 49th Street to Boulevard East, where it will continue south to the Soliders’ and Sailors’ Monument.
It will come to a close with ceremonies there around 11:30 a.m.
Chuck Barone, the parade’s chairman, has assembled a fine array of bands, floats, performers and veterans groups to march in the 1.9-mile parade.
“We’re hoping that it’s better than in years past,” said Barone, who unfortunately had to cancel last year’s parade due to rain and moved the ceremonies indoors in the Weehawken High School gymnasium. “Everyone we booked for last year has decided to return.”
Although the parade will remember all of those who served in the military and especially those who gave their lives in serving their country, this year’s parade holds special meaning for the World War II veterans because of the unveiling of the monument in the nation’s capital.
“We sent an open letter to all World War II veterans in the area to join us in commemoration with the World War II monument,” said Barone, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Army. “We are welcoming them to participate.”
Palladino, who was drafted out of a New York machine shop, was proud to serve in the military, even though it never resulted in combat.
“There was always a sense of pride,” Palladino said. “I enjoyed the idea that I was able to work on airplanes. I met a lot of the officers that went overseas, young fellows who were shipped out. I was fortunate to stay here.”
Palladino remained at home because of a strange medical emergency. “One day, one of my co-workers told me that I was as red as a beet,” Palladino said. “I went to look in the mirror and sure enough, I was. I went to the medic and they told me what I had. It was measles.”
So when Palladino’s battalion was sent overseas, he remained in a hospital, quarantined for a month.
“It’s just the way things happened,” Palladino said. “I heard about planes being shot down, 10 or so in a plane, and I realized how fortunate I was to be here.”
Faistl, a member of the Weehawken Veterans Committee for many years, was a United States Navy veteran, having served on the Kasaan Bay aircraft carrier in both the European and Asiatic theaters of operation.
“Memorial Day always means a great deal to me,” Faistl said. “Although I live out of town, I still remain a member of the VFW Post. I very seldom get up there after suffering a heart attack in 1996, but I’m happy they recognized me. I’m happy to finally get a chance to serve as grand marshal.”
The township used to alternate between the American Legion and the VFW in selecting one grand marshal, but decided last year to pick one from each post to serve as co-Grand Marshals.
The parade will feature Weehawken Police Motorcycle Escort and the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue Escort as the lead to the parade, followed by the Weehawken High School marching band. A color guard flag unit, featuring six flags, will precede the Emerson High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC.
The grand marshals will then be followed by the World War II veterans, and then the Gold Star Mothers, namely Rose Cemelli and Virginia Dabonka, both of whom lost sons in the Vietnam War.
Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council will march together, followed by members of the Board of Education.
“The parade has great significance,” Turner said. “We’re educating the young people about the veterans and the many sacrifices they made. It’s an educational tool for the young people to realize that a lot of the freedoms we enjoy today are because of those who were willing to give their lives for their country.
Added Turner, “Our parade is being held on the same day that they are commemorating the national monument for the World War II veterans. It’s important for our generation, because our parents fought in that war and it’s a tremendous reminder of what our parents went through. We’re also conscious of those currently serving overseas. It’s the proper honor for those who have served before and those who serve today.”
The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey’s bagpipe and drum unit will follow, along with several different organizations from the township, like the Weehawken Elks, the Senior Citizens, the Weehawken Recreation Department, the Weehawken Against Alcohol and Drugs Committee, two different Girl Scout and Brownie troops, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Ambulance Squad and the American Red Cross Hudson/Bergen Chapter.
There will also be performances by the Rhythm Kings Dixieland Band, who will be on a float, and the ever-popular Mummers of Philadelphia will make an appearance, complete with plumage and extensive head dressings.
Barone realizes the importance of the parade.
“I think the parade has its importance, especially in the light of what is happening today,” Barone said. “There are sacrifices being made abroad as we speak. It’s a way to also remember the sacrifices that were made in the past in order so that we can enjoy the things we enjoy today. Memorial Day holds a special place in my heart, because I recall the guys who I served with who didn’t come home. Thank God I’m here to pay tribute to my colleagues who didn’t make it.”