Due to COVID-19 and restrictions on large social gatherings, the Toms River Veterans Commission is canceling their annual Veterans Day parade and instead holding a ceremony this year.

The 2020 Ocean County Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Protectors of Freedom sculpture, located in Bey Lea Park, 570 Bay Avenue in Toms River.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Toms River Municipal Building, 33 Washington Street, in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Meeting Room on the 2nd floor.

The ceremony will feature speakers and honored guests, a military flyover, rifle salute and the placing of the wreath at the Protectors of Freedom sculpture.

Mayor Maurice B. Hill said, “There are over 18 million veterans in the United States or about 7% of the population who have served in our armed forces. Although we will not be able to gather for parades and large celebrations on this Veteran’s Day, we all need to pause and reflect on the service and dedication of our veterans who have defended our freedoms at home and around the world and those who ‘stand the watch’ today.”

Please plan to join us in demonstrating your support and never-ending appreciation of our military veterans, active military and their families.

The public will be allowed to attend but attendees will be required to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distancing.