Veteran Father – Son Duo to Serve as Grand Marshal for Memorial Day Parade

Mayor Doug Tomson announced that Hillsborough resident and Air Force Veteran Chris Conroy and his son Air Force Pilot John Conroy will lead Hillsborough’s 2014 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremonies on May 24th. 

Veteran Staff Sergeant Chris Conroy served in the 60’s as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist with the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, ME.  Chris, a long time Hillsborough resident, is married to Annette and they raised their three sons in town.  He is now a Deacon at Mary, Mother of God Church and also the Director of Religious Education.  His son John, a Hillsborough High School Graduate, is a Captain assigned to the 52nd Airlift Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. as a C-130 Pilot.   He has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.  He and his wife Danielle have two daughters. 

The Conroys will lead the Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade that begins at the corner of Auten and Triangle Roads at 10:30am.  They will also be the featured speaker during the Garden of Honor Ceremony that begins at 11:15am at the Municipal Complex. 

“It is our honor once again to commemorate Memorial Day and have all the Hillsborough Veterans lead the parade and there is no group more appropriate to lead us in paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation, than our military veterans,” stated Mayor Doug Tomson during his announcement.    

All Hillsborough veterans are invited to participate in the Salute to Veterans Breakfast and to lead Hillsborough’s Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration program on May 24th.  Registration will be available online at the Township’s website or by completing the paper registration form.

This year’s Memorial Day commemorative program will kick off with the ‘Salute to Veterans’ Breakfast at the Municipal Building at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Memorial Day Parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Auten and Triangle Roads.  The Salute to Veterans Breakfast will be held May 24th rain or shine.

The ceremony at the Garden of Honor, at 11:15 a.m., will conclude the formal events for the day. Refreshments will be served on the Municipal Building lawn. The rain date for the parade and Garden of Honor Ceremonies is Sunday, May 25th. 

“We warmly invite veterans, spouses and widows to provide their leadership and join us on May 24th in commemorating this important day," Committeeman Frank DelCore, Township Committee Veterans’ Liaison.

The public is encouraged to attend the Parade and Garden of Honor ceremonies. 

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