Every year the community of New Canaan gathers on Memorial Day to remember with gratitude and honor the proud men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces to protect and preserve a life of freedom for all Americans.
The Parade and Memorial Ceremony, sponsored by the Town of New Canaan and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Howard Bossa and Peter Langenus Post 653, will be held Monday May 26 starting at 9:30 a.m.
The Parade steps off from St. Mark’s Church and proceeds down Oenoke Ridge to upper Main Street, past the Wayside Cross at God’s Acre, past the Firehouse and Town Hall, and continues down Main Street to Lakeview Cemetery. There, parade watchers and marchers gather with veterans and Town officials for remarks about the true meaning and purpose of the Memorial Day holiday.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Brian van der Heyden. The Guest Speaker is U.S. Marine combat veteran Chris Paksi, and Msgr. Robert Kinnally, pastor of St. Aloysius Church, will represent New Canaan clergy and lead the ceremony in prayer.
The Line of March will be posted on the Town website www.newcanaan.info on Thursday, May 22.
In the event of heavy rain, a parade cancelation notice will be posted on the Town website and social media pages, and the Memorial Day Ceremony will be conducted in Town Hall at 10 a.m. with limited seating.
(Contributed photo by Grace Duffield.)