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05/22/2024 08:08 AM

Branford Veterans Parade Committee plans May 27 Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade


The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien
The Branford Veterans Parade Committee organizes the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this year on Monday, May 27. Photo by Bill O’Brien

The Branford Veterans Parade Committee is organizing the annual Branford Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade which will take place this coming Monday, May 27, beginning with ceremonies starting at 6:30 a.m. at the town’s seven cemeteries, Veterans Park, and Town monuments dedicated to the military.

The ceremonies will include flags lowered to half staff, laying of wreaths, a rifle salute, and taps.The committee will also participate in the Stony Creek march to the village cemetery with the residents. They then head over to to the Hubbard Bridge on Montowese Street to drop a wreath in the Branford River to honor Navy veterans.

"We are pleased to continue to have our Memorial Day services in remembrance of those who died in service to our countryand to honor all those, including many from Branford who were lost in all wars", said Veterans Parade Committee chairman John Fitzgerald USCG (Ret).

Marching units will gather on the Branford green at 9:30 a.m. for services that begin at 10 a.m. The program will include the Invocation, followed by the National Anthem, greetings by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, musical selections, reciting the Gettysburg Address by Michael Kenney, the Thomas Yester Memorial Day Essay Contest winners from Walsh Intermediate School, benediction, a rifle salute and taps. Former U.S. Air Force Sergeant and Veterans Day Parade committee member Raymond Ingraham of Branford, will deliver the main address and serve as Grand Marshal of the parade.

Participants in this year’s parade include members of the American Legion Post 83 ans VFW Post 12106 both of Branford, Police and Fire Departments, members of the RTM and elected Town and State Officials and guests, the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, and the Branford High School Band. In addition there will be a Take a Vet Fishing Float, the Branford Garden Club float, the Branford Lions Club, Elks Lodge #1939, Knights of Columbus. Girls and Boys Scouts as well as Brownies and Cub Scouts and Branford Little League teams will participate and there will be Vintage and Antique cars and Branford Fire Companies.

The Official Reviewing Committee will include First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove as well as Selectmen Raymond Dunbar and Angie Higgins along with State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representative Robin Comey. The sound will be provided by Dennis Nardella. The Branford Town Band will provide music on the Green during the parade and taps will be offered by Steve Vacca.

In case of rain the parade will be canceled and the ceremony will be held in the Branford High School gymnasium, 185 East Main Street, beginning at 10 a.m.