The annual Branford Memorial Day Parade will wind through downtown on Monday, May 29. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. and the parade will step off at 10:30 am. The special address will be given by 96-year-old U.S. Army Sergeant Bill Brody (pictured), who served in the Army Corp of Engineers during World War II.
The program will include an Invocation, playing of the National Anthem and greetings by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove. Musical selections will be played by units participating in the parade.
Two students from Walsh Intermediate School will read their winning essays entitled, “What Memorial Day Means to Me,” and the ceremonies will close with Taps and a Firing Squad and the Benediction.
Members of the American Legion Post 83 and VFW Post #12106 will lead the parade, along with a “Take a Vet Fishing” float. Town Officials and dignitaries will also march as well as a number of scouting units and youth groups. Other participants include Branford Elks Lodge 1939, Branford Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Columbus Day Parade Committee of Greater New Haven, and the Branford Garden Club.
Five bands or fife and drum units will take part in the parade, including the Second Company Governors Foot Guard, Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps (pictured), Branford High School Marching Band, St Mary’s School Fife and Drum Corps, and Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Branford Town Band will perform a variety of popular military selections on the Green during the parade march.
The parade will proceed on Main Street to North Harbor Street and return to the Green. In case of inclement weather the parade will be cancelled and ceremonies will be moved to the Branford High School gymnasium at 10 a.m. Check the Town of Branford website under Department of Parks and Recreation for notice of cancellation.
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