Reading of the Declaration of Independence

In 2004 a tradition involving Post 54 was started in Freehold. On the morning of July 4th the townspeople gather in front of the town hall for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Hundreds of motorcycles driven mostly by veterans and first responders arrive to participate in the event, an exciting display of both sight and sound. One of the riders has a copy of the Declaration, which is delivered to Thomas Jefferson (Freehold Mayor Nolan Higgins). The Declaration has been broken down into small parts which are assigned to volunteers, who read their part at the top of the steps. At the conclusion the local Bethal AME Church choir sings patriotic songs, which the attendees sing along to, to end the ceremony. American Legion Post 54 has been proud to provide the color guard for this very patriotic ceremony since its inception.