Branford Annual Memorial Day Parade, Ceremonies Set For Monday

BRANFORD, CT — The annual Branford Memorial Day Parade is set for Monday, May 30 beginning with ceremonies starting at 6:45 a.m. at the town's cemeteries and monuments, with the laying of wreaths, lowering of the flag, Taps and a rifle salute.

The Veterans Parade Committee will also participate in the march to the Stony Creek cemetery for their ceremony and proceed to the Montowese Street Bridge at 9:15 a.m. for the Naval Memorial Services.

"We're excited to be able to have our Memorial Day ceremonies and parade in remembrance of those that died in service to our country and to honor all those," Veterans Parade Committee chairman Bill O'Brien said, "Including many from Branford, who were lost in all wars."

Marching units will meet on the Branford Green by 9:45 am for services that begin at 10 am. The program will include the Invocation, followed by the National Anthem, greetings by Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, musical selections by several groups, reciting of the Gettysburg Address, Walsh Intermediate school essay contest winners, benediction, a rifle salute and Taps.

Vietnam veteran, RTM member and longtime member of the parade committee Dennis Flanigan will serve as the Grand Marshal of this year's parade and give the address.

Parade Details

Participants in this years parade include members of the town RTM and State Officials, Americn Legion Post 83 and VFW Post 12106, Branford Police and Fire Departments, Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, the Branford High School Band, the 2nd Company Governors Foot Guard, Take a Vet Fishing float, the Branford Garden Club float, Scout units, the Branford Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Columbus Day Committee of Greater New Haven, the Branford Historical Society, vintage cars and town fire apparatus.

The Branford Town Band will provide music on the Green during the parade. Steve Vacca will play Taps at the cemeteries and on the Green. Lia Whitten will sing the National Anthem and pastor Steve Chamberlain will give the Invocation and Benediction, and VFW Commander and American Legion Chaplin Elliott Hastings will give the GAR Address. The sound will be provided by Dennis Nardella.

In case of inclement weather, the parade ceremonies will be moved to the Branford High School gymnasium beginning at 10 a.m.

About Dennis Flanigan

Dennis grew up in Fair Haven and graduated from Saint Francis School in 1960 and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven in 1964, when he was called up to serve in Vietnam. Dennis put in a year in Vietnam in the Brown Water Navy in the Mekong Delta and then came back and served another year in Norfolk, Virginia. He completed his Naval service as a third class petty officer.
Dennis is also honored to help serve other veterans through several roles, including his volunteer work for the town as a charter member of the Veterans Advisory Committee, which was formed in 2015 as a liaison group to help connect veterans contacting the town for assistance with organizations, hospitals, and other programs that can help.
Dennis was recognized by Branford Elks’ Lodge 1939 as Veteran of the year and for his Service to the Town in 2021. Dennis served as commander of Post 83 American Legion as commander 5 times in his 41 years as a member.
Dennis moved to Branford in 1970 when he married his wife, Annette (Richitelli) a Branford native, He went on to receive his degree in logistics from the University of New Haven, working for Sargent Manufacturing for 31 years before he retired.
As a Republican representing the town’s 5th District, Dennis has served on the Branford RTM for 36 years, making him the longest-running member of the present-day Branford RTM. In addition to his other services to the town, for the past six years, Dennis has been working for the Branford Police Department as a crossing guard.
Dennis has a daughter Denise, from Old Saybrook and two granddaughters’ Taylor and
Olivia, and son-in-law Matt Stone, who serves as a Police Officer for the DEEP and who is also a Veteran of the Iraq War. Dennis is also a member of the Veteran's Parade Committee.