Beginning 1pm on Sunday, November 10th is the 7th annual Lower Makefield Township Veterans Day Parade, led by Parade Marshal Ray DiCrescenzo. Head over to Edgewood and Long Acre Lane for the parade and stay for entertainment. Pastor Dawn Schuler of Lower Makefield (who happens to be the uber talented Matt Schuler's mother) will be singing the National Anthem accompanied by the PHS Marching Band as well as “No Man is an Island” a capella. Then guest speaker Dan Fraley, Director of Bucks County Veterans Affairs, will take the stage.
Following the parade at Veterans Square, and the PHS Marching band will play at the park until the parade is completed. The public is invited to stay for the wreath-laying ceremony. Any veteran is welcome to march or participate, as are area scout troops.
The Veterans Square Monument Committee has separated from the LMT Community Foundation nonprofit and formed its own nonprofit: Veterans Square Foundation, and has been working for nearly five years to design, raise funds and build Veterans Square Monument. They bid for the monument project is planned for this upcoming January with construction bidding in April. You can help by purchasing a Freedom Paver to be a permanent part of the monument's Stepping Stone Campaign. Call 267-274-1195 or email info@VeteransSquare.com. A check from the Makefield Women’s Association will also be presented to the foundation at the ceremony.
About the Parade Marshal – Ray DiCrescenzo
Ray DiCrescenzo, life-long native of Lambertville, New Jersey, was born December 19, 1919. Ray’s parents were born in the Abruzzi region of Italy. His parents immigrated and raised a family of five children in Lambertville.
Ray’s father, Nick, open a Pioneer grocery store in Lambertville in 1930. Ray and his brothers worked in the family business. In 1940 Ray’s attention was captured by a young woman from Philadelphia visiting her relatives in Lambertville. It wasn’t long before Ray was borrowing the store’s delivery truck making trips to Philadelphia to visit Adele D’Ambrosio. Ray says there was no doubt about it. Adele was the “One.”
Ray and Adele were married November 16, 1941. After a honeymoon at Niagara Falls, New York, they returned to Lambertville to begin their new life. Well not yet! On December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked. The following week Ray received a letter from his draft board: “Greetings, . . . . .”
By January 7, 1942 Ray found himself in the comfort of a tent at Fort Dix, New Jersey (The tent heater didn’t work too well). After boot camp Ray was shipped to Fort Lee, South Carolina, for advanced infantry training. He was being prepared for the allies’ counter offensive in North Africa against the forces of Rommel’s German Army.
Ray’s assignment was in the supply corps of General Clark’s 5th Army. “An army marches on its stomach,” quoted Napoleon Bonaparte. Ray’s skills from his experience in the grocery business helped supply and feed Clark’s Army. Being in the supply corps didn’t keep Ray out of harm’s way. Ray likes to remind everyone that Hitler’s forces knew where the supplies were, and Ray was subject to many close calls during air raids and enemy attempts to break through.
After the Allies’ success in North Africa, Clark’s 5th Army moved to the Italian campaign. Ray was stationed in Naples, Italy, until the defeat of the German army in May, 1945. But Staff Sergeant DiCrescenzo’s army career was to continue in the preparation of the invasion of Japan.
Fortunately, the invasion was never to occur because of the surrender of Japan in August, 1945. Ray and the rest of his comrades-in-arms were eagerly awaiting discharge. That day came for Ray on November 25, 1945, Norfolk, Virginia. Staff Sergeant DiCrescenzo was awarded battle stars for the North African campaign and the Italian campaign.
After a 4 year separation from his bride, Adele, Ray settled back into civilian life working in the family business and starting a family of his own. Ray and Adele have two daughters, Janis Seminack and Eileen Flood; two grandchildren, Karin McLaughlin and Chad Flood; and three great-grand children, Madeline, Sarah and Claire Mclaughlin.
Ray took the family business from a corner grocery store to a large supermarket and hardware store. His business operates the Delray Plus true value in New Hope.
Ray is an avid (almost fanatic) Phillies and Eagles fan. He holds season tickets to both teams and makes almost every home game of both teams. Ray currently lives in New Hope with his wife, Adele. They have been married 72 years.
As a veteran of World War II, Ray is saluted for his sacrifice during his four years of service. Also, sharing in this sacrifice, one should not forget the sacrifice of his loving wife during this separation.
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