Big Crowd Salutes World War II Vets on Memorial Day

}For those who woke up early on Memorial Day and looked out the window they might have said, ​“Not again,” seeing the light mist that was falling. The past two years the Memorial Day Parade had been cancelled because of rain. Here the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corp march down Main Street.

But those overcast skies didn’t stop the members of the Branford Veterans Committee who met, as they do every year rain or shine, at the parking lot at Montowese and South Main Streets at 6:30 a.m. to begin their annual walk to the seven cemeteries in town where they conduct services for the 1,749 veterans buried there. Hundreds marched in the Stony Creek Parade from the flag pole to the cemetery

Stony Creek veterans marched as a group to the Stony Creek cemetery.

Wreaths would be placed at the flagpoles, the flags would be lowered to half staff, taps would be played, and there would be a salute by a five-man firing squad. Then they would board the Senior Center shuttle bus and head to the next cemetery to do it again.Here a small flag and wreath are shown at the flag pole at St Mary’s Cemetery on Monroe Street

These services, and the parade that follows, are strong indications of the values the residents of Branford have for supporting our war dead and current or past veterans. Steve Vacca of Branford played taps at ceremonies at all seven cemeteries plus the Naval Ceremonies at the South Montowese Street Bridge and the Green.

A large crowd stood at Town Hall Drive and Main Street as the parade passed by.

This year was extra special because the committee recognized six veterans ranging in age from 91 to 98 years old. Those who were recognized and introduced at the parade ceremonies included Bill Brody, 98; Vincent Thomas, 92; Grant Briggs, 91; Donald Robinson, 91; and Stan Petela, 95. The sixth, Ira Lewis, 97, was unable to attend.

Here Vincent Thomas salutes when introduced to the audience.

They were joined on the platform by Captain Vincent Giordano, Master of Ceremonies, who introduced First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove; Pastor Steve Chamberlain of the Evangelical Free Church, who gave the Invocation and Benediction; Michael Kinney, substituting for his brother Frank reciting the Gettysburg Address; Elliott Hastings of the VFW; and fifth grade students, Scott Penner and Michael Loomis, winner and runner up in the Walsh Intermediate School ​“What Memorial Day Means to Me” contest. Donald Langlois of American Legion Post 83 and Capt. Vincent Giordano salute for the National Anthem at the Naval Ceremonies.

The parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m. with members of the American Legion, VFW, Take a Vet Fishing, several hundred scouts and youth groups, members of the Elks, Lions Club, Branford Garden Club, Columbus Day Committee, vintage cars, and the always-present Branford Fire Companies Apparatus.The First Congregational Church sponsored the ​‘Take a Vet Fishing’ float.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and State Representative Lonnie Reed march with the BHS Band.

The Cosgrove family and friends had curbside seats to view the parade.

Branford Fire Dept was led by Chief Thomas Mahoney, Chaplain Rev..Sharon K. Gracen ​‚Rector of the Trinity Church, and Tim Murray, Volunteer Deputy Chief.

Branford Garden Club member Laurie VanWilgin is all smiles as the their float passes by.

Interspersed with the various marching groups were The Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, St. Mary School Fife and Drum Corp, the Branford High School Band, and the Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Branford Town Band provided music during the parade on the Green.

And guess what? That early mist never returned and overall you couldn’t have asked for a better day for such a heart-felt holiday.

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