Ridgefield’s Memorial Day parade will step off at 11:30 am on Monday May 30, starting with a ceremony held in front of the Soldier’s Monument at Jesse Lee United Methodist Church. The ceremony will include a 21 gun salute courtesy of the American Legion Honor Guard. Wreaths will be placed on the Soldier’s Monument in front of Jesse Lee as well as Veterans Park Memorial at the Lounsbury House in honor of those who were killed or wounded in service of our country.
The parade is Ridgefield’s largest annual event in the Town of Ridgefield, sponsored by the Town and organized by the American Legion Post 78. Parade Coordinator Denis Loncto has been working tirelessly since January with the exceptional cooperation of the office of the First Selectman to organize the parade. He was more than delighted to meet with me to answer a few questions regarding this year's parade.
The Ridgefield Police Department Honor Guard will lead the parade this year, followed shortly after by a flyover of a C-130 Transport Plane courtesy of the Air National Guard in Hartford, CT.
The Grand Marshal will be Ridgefield resident Colonel Robert A Law III. Colonel Law attended and graduated from Villanova as an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Core) scholar. He began his military career as a second lieutenant, which developed into an illustrious 26 years of service. After touring overseas in foreign posts including but not limited to Korea, Germany, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq; Colonel Law is currently assigned to the prestigious Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
Colonel Law’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Medal, and various campaign medals.
The Honorary Grand Marshall Fred Whipple. Born and raised in Wilton, Whipple drafted into the army in 1950, training in the artillery corps and serving in Germany where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon his return to Connecticut, Fred went into the construction business, eventually starting his own construction firm. He and his wife Barbara settled in Ridgefield where they raised five children. Fred has been an active member of the American Legion Post 78 for many years
The new organizations joining the parade this year are the Exchange Club of Ridgefield as well as the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance based out of Danbury, CT. Loncto emphasized the return of The Daughters of the American Revolution, who have grown significantly since their parade debut in the previous year.
The parade will feature performances by eight separate bands, including the Ridgefield High School Marching Band.
Loncto concluded by reiterating, “The parade is to honor veterans who have served in past conflicts and also those who are serving at the moment.”
Special thank you to Denis Loncto for being especially helpful with answering any and all questions I had while writing this article.
Edited by Anna-Sophie Massek
Photos by Grace Heller