On June 12, 2009, the New Jersey Army National Guard closed its largest combat deployment since World War II - the 2,900 soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team served 10 months in Iraq - with a parade and celebration in downtown Trenton, N.J. The soldiers marched from the New Jersey World War II Memorial to the Sovereign Bank Arena. The soldiers were joined on the 1.1-mile parade route by high school marching bands from Ewing, Newark, Paterson and Trenton. The soldiers' families were entertained at the arena during the parade by a group that includes comedian Joe Piscopo; Mary D'Arcy, who had a starring role in the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera; American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle; Sarah Dash, a Trenton native and former vocalist with Patti La Belle and The Blue Bells; and R&B; artist Chanj.