WWII vet called to duty as parade marshal
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

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Michael Gaeta, 84, seen here during his Army service in World War II, was chosen as grand marshal of this year's Memorial Day parade in North Brunswick.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township is saluting the grand ol' flag by naming the grand marshal for this year's Memorial Day parade.

Michael Gaeta, 84, started as a private with the 44th Infantry Division of the United States Army in January 1941 during World War II. In 1942 he was at an officers training center in North Carolina and was promoted to second lieutenant. He served in England with a support group for troops going to France, and was stationed in Dover on D-Day, transferring wounded soldiers from the dock.

After serving overseas, he left the war as a captain and returned home to teach English for grades nine and 12 at Jamesburg High School and was an evening instructor at the John Marshall College of Law in Jersey City.

In 1950, Gaeta became the vice principal of the high school after receiving his original bachelor's degree from New York University in 1940 and his master's degree in education from Rutgers University in 1950. However, he was recalled to active duty in June 1952, serving in Korea until 1954.

As a captain he commanded the 195th Ordnance Depot Company in the 74th Ordnance Battalion as a back-up unit in Korea. He was awarded a presidential citation as commander of his company.

He was also a professor of military science at the University of Tennessee until August 1955 and then returned to Jamesburg as principal until 1965. He retired from the service in 1967 as a lieutenant colonel but remained in education until 1976, serving the last 12 years of his term as superintendent of the district.

Since then, Gaeta has remained in North Brunswick, a resident for the past 25 years. He serves on the Memorial Day Parade Committee and considers himself to be very patriotic.

"I give the message about military service and the veterans," he said. "People are turning to an awareness of what a veteran does for this country ... [and we need] to keep citizens aware of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve in military organizations. I appreciate all of you who will attend the service to show recognition to those who have passed away as military personnel."

Gaeta commended Greg Kikelhan, the deputy director of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services (DPRCS), and his fellow members of the Memorial Day Committee for organizing the event every year. He encourages other residents, veterans or not, to join the committee and keep the spirit of the country alive.

To honor Memorial Day, North Brunswick will hold several commemorative festivities throughout the day on May 28. The DPRCS will hold its 28th annual Memorial Day Walk/Run, part of the Brunswick Cup Series, at Sabella Park. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m., the walk starts at 8:30, and the run starts at 8:45 a.m.

Afterward, the 52nd annual Memorial Day parade will begin at noon by Linwood Middle School. The route will go down Hermann Road toward Georges Road and along Nassau Street, Remsen Avenue, Linwood Place, Glenridge Avenue and past the senior center, ending at Babbage Park. The parade will feature participants from local community groups, the high school marching band, Weezie's Band, the Melrose Blackhawks, the Middlesex County Police Pipes and Drums, the Patriot Band, and the Royal Unique Drill and Drum Corps.

At the park, a DPRCS- and PBA-sponsored picnic will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will be food, music, entertainment and a bike-decorating contest.

For more information, call Greg Kikelhan at (732) 247-0922, ext. 475, or visit www.northbrunswickonline.com.