Toms River Memorial Day Parade marches in downtown Monday
TOMS RIVER -- U.S. Army Capt. Jerry Wagner, who served multiple tours in Iraq, will be the grand marshal of the 89th Ocean County Memorial Day Parade, which marches in downtown Toms River Monday, May 29.
The parade, which kicks off at 9:30 a.m. from the Toms River Shopping Center, marches south down Main Street (Route 166), before turning left to head east on Washington Street. A ceremony will take place in front of town hall, and Capt. Wagner will be among the dignitaries who will speak. The parade is sponsored by the George P. Vanderveer American Legion Post 129 in Toms River.
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Wagner was first deployed to Iraq in 2004, initially to Baghdad and then to Fallujah, where there was heavy fighting. In 2006, during his second deployment, he was in Ramadi with the command supported by U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle, who wrote the book "American Sniper," and was one of the most lethal snipers in U.S. military history. Kyle was killed by another veteran in 2013, and Capt. Wagner named his youngest son, Christopher Michael Kiley.
Wagner was deployed to Egypt in 2008 as part of a peacekeeping mission. He lives in Toms River with his wife and five children. Wagner received a proclamation at the May 24 township council meeting, thanking him for his service and commemorating his selection as grand marshal.
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Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran, urged residents to come to the parade to show support for veterans those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 39 years. A finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in public service, she's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Memorial Day parade marches in downtown Toms river Monday
