MONROE, CT — Monroe will celebrate Memorial Day with its annual parade on May 25. The theme is “Honoring Our Heroes: Past and Present.”
The parade procession will get underway at 1 p.m., marching from Elm Street and Route 111 north, up Route 111 to the Monroe green, with participants in authentic WWII vehicles, cars, floats and on foot.
Leading the parade will be the town’s local veterans, military groups and police force, First Selectman Terrence P. Rooney, State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th, and other officials from the state of Connecticut. And the parade would not be complete without Monroe’s three volunteer fire companies and volunteer emergency medical services personnel.
This year’s honoree is Joseph J. Madar, who joined the Army Reserve upon his high school graduation and was sworn in on September 11, 1962. He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, N.J., in Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) and Basic Unit Training.
Look for more information on Monroe’s veteran honoree in future articles.
“The town of Monroe takes great honor every year in our annual Memorial Day Parade in remembrance of those who gave their lives to protect the United States of America,” Rooney said. “Monroe honors those souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country and pays homage to those family and friends who had to continue life without a loved one. Thank you to all those who have served and are serving, Memorial Day is a day to remember those who protected our country and never made it home.”
“In honor of Memorial Day, we ask all businesses, sports teams and any community group to gather some friends to represent with a float or just marching with a banner as a group in this year’s Memorial Day Parade,” Rooney said. “Let’s as a community work hard and together to show Monroe’s support for our military heroes, so that their sacrifice remains in the heart and soul of all Monroe citizens.”
Parade Committee Chair Vida Stone said, “perhaps this year, as we observe Memorial Day, we can take a few moments to truly reflect on what those freedoms mean and how they are sustained. It’s not just about grand battles and historical moments, but about individual acts of courage, loyalty and love for country that led to the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony at the War Memorial immediately following the parade is as special and as important as the parade itself and well worth attending.”
Immediately following the parade, the town’s Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at the War Memorial located directly in front of Town Hall.
In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled, but the ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Monroe Town Hall. Cancellation information will be announced on WICC, WMNR and on the Town Hall’s Parks & Recreation cancellation line (203-339-6106).
On the day of the parade, participants will line up on lower Elm Street, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Marchers should refer to the map included with their application.
There is still time to sign up for your group or organization to be part of this event. Information on the parade is listed on the scroller of the town website. Any questions regarding the parade should be directed to Vida Stone at 203-452-2811 or by email, [email protected].
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
