Canceled Twice By Covid, Annual Veterans Parade Is Back, Branford

BRANFORD, CT — After a two-year hiatus, the Branford Veterans Day Parade will again march, this year on Sunday, Nov. 7.

"It was tough not being able to honor all those that served with our annual parade the past two years," Veterans Parade Committee chair Bill O'Brien was quoted as saying in a news release.

"Covid just didn't allow us to have more than a brief ceremony on the Green," he reminded, adding it's hoped that, "residents turn out to pay tribute to all our many veterans and to encourage all those that served to march as well."

The parade, which includes Iwo Jima survivors, steps off at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7. But before, ceremonies will be held at each of Branford's seven cemeteries beginning at 9 a.m., with the laying of wreaths, the playing of taps, and a rifle salute. A Naval service will be held on the South Montowese Street Bridge at 12:15 p.m., with a ceremony on the Green at 1 p.m. including the Branford Town Band performing military songs, and an address by Elliott Hastings Commander of the VFW Post 12106. He and Donald Langlois, Commander of Branford American Legion Post 83, will lead the parade, stepping off at 1:30.

Marching this year will be the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corp, the Branford High School Band, the Second Company Governors Foot Guard and Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corp, a contingent of Iwo Jima Survivors, a Take a Vet Fishing vehicles, The Branford Garden Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #1939, Boy Scout Troup 428 Honor Guard, along with other Girl Scout and Brownie troops as well as other Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops. There will also be a number of vintage and antique cars as well as a number of fire department apparatus.

In case of inclement weather ceremonies will be moved to the Branford High School gym beginning at 1 p.m.

Fingers-crossed for fair skies!