Avon Gearing Up for Memorial Day Parade

AVON, CT — Here are a few reminders about Monday's Memorial; Day parade:

The Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272, VFW, Avon, CT announces its plans for the 72nd Annual

Memorial Day Parade and Observances to be held on Monday, May 29, 2017. As they have
done since 1946, their Memorial Day will begin at 7:30 a.m. by visiting seven Avon cemeteries,
placing wreaths, performing a brief service and playing taps in recognition and honor of all the
departed veterans of Avon.

The Parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. from the parking lot of Sperry Park on Simsbury
Road. The Avon VFW veterans and their color guard will lead the parade. Antique cars will be
provided veterans who are unable to march. This year the Avon VFW warmly invites all
military veterans to march, or ride, with them in the parade. To arrange a ride, please contact
Bill Samol at 860-673-0594. The veterans will be followed by the Avon Police and their color
guard, elected officials of the Town of Avon, the Avon High School Marching Band, the Avon
Fire Department and their color guard. Following them will be the Avon Boy and Girl Scouts,
Cubs and Brownies, Indian Princesses and the First Co. Governor’s Horse Guards led by Captain
Christopher Miller.

The parade will stop at the East Avon Cemetery next to the Avon Congregational Church
for a short memorial service to honor the veterans buried there. It will then proceed to Route
44, turn RIGHT and finish at the Veteran’s Memorial on the Avon Town Green.

At 11:30 a.m., a memorial service will be held at the Avon Veteran’s Memorial on the
Town Green with Post Commander, Jim Hutton, a veteran of the Vietnam War, will serve as
master of ceremonies. The invocation will be offered by Timothy Healy, Deacon of St. Ann’s

Catholic Church and a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. After the presentation of the Memorial
Wreath and Pledge of Allegiance will be held. There will be firing of rifles and the playing of
Taps.

This year’s keynote speaker will be James Flannery, former Captain, U.S. Army and
veteran of the War on Terror. The VFW Auxiliary will be on the Town Green with many
patriotic items to sell as a fundraiser for their many events that benefit local veterans and
their families.

The War Memorial on the Town Green lists 719 Veterans from Avon who served their
country from the Mexican War to the Gulf War and separately honors 41 Veterans who gave
their lives in four wars. Four new stones were added to the memorial in recent years in order
to have names of those Avon residents who served in the War on Terror that began on
September 11, 2001.

The public is cordially invited to participate in this traditional memorial event and
observe with the VFW the true meaning of Memorial Day – a day for remembering those
whose died while serving in the country’s armed forces. By honoring those who lost their lives
defending us, we preserve their memory, service and sacrifice. Show your strong support for
America, its Armed Forces and its Veterans – especially during this time of War. This is a year
for families and friends to demonstrate their patriotic spirit.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be conducted at Avon’s Senior
Center, 635 West Avon Road at 11:00 a.m.

Photo Credit: Avon VFW