Branford Veterans Day Parade Returns Nov. 7, Following Two-Year Hiatus
After a two-year hiatus, the Branford Veterans Parade Committee announces there will be a Veterans Day Parade this year on Sunday, November 7.
"It was tough not being able to honor all those that served with our annual parade the past two years. Covid just didn't allow us to have more than a brief ceremony on the green," said Bill O'Brien, committee chairman.
On Nov. 7, a Veterans Day ceremony will be held on the Branford green at 1 p.m., followed by the parade stepping off on Main Street at 1:30 p.m. Elliott Hastings, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12106, will give the ceremony's address. Hastings will lead the parade along with Donald Langlois, Commander of Branford American Legion Post 83. The Branford Town Band will perform military songs on the town green while the parade is under way.
The parade is to honor all those that served in the military, and the committee hopes residents turn out to pay tribute to our many veterans. The committee also encourages all those who have served to march as well.
Four musical groups will be marching, including Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, Branford High School Band, Second Company Governors Foot Guard and Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps.
Town officials including Branford's selectmen, state representatives and state senator, along with members of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), have all been invited to participate.
Other units in this year's parade include a contingent of Iwo Jima survivors, a Take a Vet Fishing vehicle, Branford Garden Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #1939, Boy Scout Troop 428 Honor Guard, along with other Girl Scout and Brownie troops as well as other Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops. There will also be a number of vintage and antique cars as well as a number of fire department apparatus.
Veterans Day ceremonies at Branford's seven cemeteries will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 7. Ceremonies include the laying of wreaths, the playing of taps and a rifle salute. There will also be a Naval service on the South Montowese Street Bridge over the Branford River at 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 7.
In case of inclement weather, parade ceremonies will be moved to the high school gym, beginning at 1 p.m.
