Branford Celebrates Veterans Day in Town, at High School

It might have been a little windy and chilly or perhaps it was the two major televised football games that kept attendance low, but it didn’t take anything away from the 2016 Veterans Day parade and the over 500 marchers who came out to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans. It was a celebration that carried through the week, concluding on Friday with the 19th annual Branford High School Student Council and Horizons Program.

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday observed annually and honors military veterans. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which were celebrated in other countries to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Spectators came in many varieties, were dressed accordingly and paid attention.

Every year since the 1950s Branford has honored veterans with ceremonies and a parade at the Cenotaph behind Town Hall. The monument was designed by J. Andre Smith, an artist and architect who lived in Stony Creek, as a memorial to World War I servicemen who died in battle and rest in a foreign land. Click here to read about Smith. BCTV, Branford’s public television station, televised the event.

This year’s ceremonies at the Cenotaph were conducted by Captain Vincent Giordano Jr. who served as Master of Ceremonies. The Invocation and Benediction was offered by Rev. Bryan Myers of Tabor Lutheran Church. The program opened with the National Anthem sung by Lia Witten accompanied by the Branford High School Band. She later sang ​“America the Beautiful,” accompanied by the Branford Town Band.

First Selectmen Jamie Cosgrove gave greetings. He thanked the committees for putting on the event.“We are only one of a few towns that annually holds a Veterans Day parade to show our support and I think that is something we should be proud of,” Cosgrove said. Flutes followed with patriotic tunes. 

Parade marshal Richard Dunn Commander of American Legion Post 83 delivered the main address. A Marine, Dunn said he was honored to be speaking.

Dunn spoke of his definition of ​“veteran,” saying for him it was a person who at one time in their life ​“signed a blank check to the United States of America,” a check that ​“might include their life….We are here today to honor our heroes, their achievements, their courage and to say thank you for their sacrifices.”

Branford Fire Chief Tom Mahoney and Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran stood at the side of the speakers throughout the ceremony.

The Branford-based Second Company Governors Foot Guard {pictured} is seen here marching.

Then came the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps (pictured). 

The town’s legislative delegation was on hand as well: State Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr. and state Reps Lonnie Reed and Sean Scanlon. First Selectman Cosgrove and Third Selectman Jack Ahern joined them.

Prior to the ceremonies, a group of veterans conducted ceremonies at all town cemeteries starting at the Center Cemetery. The volunteers lowered the flags to half staff, displayed wreaths, had a four man firing squad.

The service concluded with taps played by Steve Vacca (pictured) and with the Naval Prayer at the Montowese Street bridge.

The crowd went to the town Green where some witnessed a special event. 

Then the parade began.

The parade’s Order of March was led by a Branford police vehicle followed by the US Marine Corps Honor Guard and First Sergeant Paul Hannaway of Branford. They were followed by Marshals Richard Dunn of Post 83 and Elliott Hastings of VFW Post #12106. Others in the First Section included a ​“Take a Vet Fishing” float and the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps.

The Second Section included a number of scout troops, town and state officials, the Branford High School Band and the St Mary’s Fife and Drum Corps. There were also several vintage autos, members of Elks Lodge #1939 and the Branford Lions Club. The Branford Town Band remained on the Green playing a number of popular military songs.

The Third Section included the Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps and a number of fire trucks and emergency vehicles. Two kids paid special attention to the trucks. 

Another group of kids found a perfect perch from which to view the ceremony, which is held at the back of Town Hall.

Fast forward to last Friday at Branford High where the school auditorium was filled with students. The Branford High program the “‘Veterans Appreciation Day Tribute” is named after Anthony ​‘Bob’ Bescher, the first chairman of the event in 1999. All BHS students welcomed the Veterans and a 30- minute program was held.

The 30 plus vets then went to classrooms representing the era they served and spoke to the students. Vets participating included those that served in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf War. The consensus was that teachers Salvatore Zarra and Richard Biondi produced an outstanding program for the students. 

Marcia Chambers contributed reporting for this story.

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