"Vice"Grand Marshal of
2026 Basilone Parade
By Bruce Doorly
For this vice Grand Marshal, the Basilone Parade committee made an excellent choice in army veteran and educator Ed Graf.
He started and has run the “Proud to be an American Day” for 19 years. The past two years have been in Raritan.
Upon graduating from college, he joined the army. He said “I joined the Army after college as an enlisted man because I wanted to give back to our nation. I picked the hardest job I could at the time, an infantry soldier.”
While in the army, he completed a course in Advanced Infantryman Training and attended Jungle Warfare School.
After three years at the high school, he moved to Kawameeh Middle School in Union. It was there in 2007 that he started “Proud to be an American Day.” The event is run by Ed and the students that he has inspired. He remained at that school for nine years.
In 2015, Ed moved on to teach history at the Somerset County Vo-Tech in Bridgewater. He moved the “Proud to be an American Day” to that school. He continues to teach at Vo-tech today.
With his students’ help, Ed Graf has organized the sending of hundreds of boxes of supplies to soldiers overseas. His fundraising has resulted in over $200,000 for wounded veterans and patriotic activities.
In addition, he has held numerous colonial reenactments over the years to promote patriotism. Ed does it all to show the students the positive aspects about our country, and to encourage them to love our country!
The difference that Ed has made can best be seen by how he does “Proud to be an American Day.” The event is well organized and has much flair. To guard against inclement weather, the event is held under a tent.
The ceremony features live music, patriotic speeches, military vehicles, food, and honors for the fallen.
This year, attendees included Marines, politicians, scouts, members of the Elks, and the Junior ROTC. But the most important guests of the day were the fifteen Gold Star Families.
Our National Anthem was sung by the American Bombshells. They are three women dressed in military attire who sing at events for wounded troops, veteran’s homes, and other patriotic gatherings.
Local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts then recited their Pledge.
The American Bombshells returned to perform “God Bless America” with well-placed ad libbed patriotic banter. Then they sang Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Sieratowicz of the New Jersey State Police spoke next: He said about the men who died in battle – “Their sacrifice secured freedoms we often take for granted. The freedom to live in peace, to speak our minds, raise our families, and pursue our dreams.”
Marine Reserve Edward Cunningham, a former student of Ed Graf, made an interesting point (among many) saying you can serve your country by just learning history.
Other speakers were Shanel Robinson, Mike Menadis, and Jim Weiser.
An eight-foot by two-foot banner with their photo was brought up to the podium. Then a memorial cannon salute was sounded and a “patriotic bouquet of flowers” was presented to the family.
One of these men who gave his life was Bridgewater’s Andrew Lobosco who died in Afghanistan.
Toward the end of the program there was a live rifle salute, “Taps” was played on a bugle, and “Amazing Grace” was played on the bagpipes.
Ed Graf and his students did a great job putting it all together.
Ed will be riding in the Basilone Parade on September 20th starting at 1 PM in downtown Raritan.