MONROE, CT — Monroe’s Memorial Day Parade: Honoring Our Heroes, Past and Present, will also celebrate the town’s Bicentennial when marchers proceed down Monroe Turnpike in authentic WWII vehicles, cars, floats and on foot at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 28.
Local veterans, military groups, town police officers, First Selectman Kenneth M. Kellogg, State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th, and other officials from the state of Connecticut will lead the procession along Elm Street, then north on Route 111 to the Monroe green.
Representatives of the Monroe, Stepney and Stevenson fire companies and of the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service will also be among the notable participants.
This year’s parade will recognize Monroe residents and veterans, Noreene Thomas Martin and John Thomas, who are husband and wife.
Noreene enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and was commissioned as an ensign and assigned to Dam Neck, Va., where she was assigned to the Guided Missile School. After being promoted to lieutenant she was assigned to Enlisted Personal Distribution Organization Continental U.S. before being discharged in 1968.
John joined the Navy Reserves in 1960 while attending Dental school. Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania dental school he was commissioned as a lieutenant and stationed in Norfolk Naval Base’s dental corp. He was discharged in 1966.
“Our veterans and their families deserve our utmost gratitude for their service to our country,” Kellogg said. “Monroe’s Memorial Day Parade is a tribute to those in our armed forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice. As we celebrate Monroe’s Bicentennial Anniversary, we must remember that the freedoms that our community has enjoyed over these 200 years would not be possible without their service and sacrifice.”
Memorial Day Ceremony
Vida Stone, the parade committee chair, said, “Memorial Day is a time to honor all those who have served in the military, in a time of war or peace. It is important to acknowledge the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. Although the line of march is in honor of our heroes, 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 case 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 p.m. Marchers should refer to the map included with their application.
Want to be in the parade?
There is still time to sign up for your group or organization to be part of this event. Visit the town’s website at monroect.gov. Information on the parade is listed on the scroller. Any questions regarding the parade should be directed to Vida Stone at 203-452-2811.
