Vernon On Memorial Day Weekend: As Unique As It gets

VERNON, CT — When it comes to Memorial Day observances Vernon is as unique as it gets.

From a graveside Civil War service to a traditional parade and observances to what is arguably the shortest parade ever in an area steeped in history, there is no shortage of opportunities to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion.

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Three Memorial Day observances are on tap in Vernon.

Thursday, May 21

The Alden Skinner Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans will place flags at the grave of Civil War veterans at Grove Hill Cemetery beginning at about 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., a brief memorial service will be conducted at the grave of Col. Thomas Burpee,
a Vernon resident and commander of the 21st Connecticut Volunteers who, was fatally wounded by a rebel
sharpshooter at the Battle of Cold Harbor and died on June 9, 1864. The ceremony will include Civil War
re-enactors firing a salute, a wreath laying at Burpee’s grave, and a reading of the names of Vernon and Rockville’s Civil War veterans. Click here to learn more about the New England Civil War Museum and research center in Vernon.

Sunday, May 24

What is perhaps Connecticut’s shortest Memorial Day parade will step off from
Talcottville Church, 10 Elm Hill Road in Vernon, and travel the short distance to Mount Hope Cemetery. The
parade begins at 9 a.m. and includes vintage cars, fife and drum corps and anyone else who’d like to march.
People join in and are part of the parade rather than stand along the sidelines and watch. The ceremony at the
cemetery includes a recitation of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The parade forms up at 8:30 a.m. in the church
parking lot and will take place rain or shine.

Monday, May 25

Vernon’s Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. at Northeast School and proceeds a short distance to Grove Hill Cemetery, where a ceremony to honor veterans takes place. After the
ceremony, the parade forms back up on Hale Street and continues from Hale Street to Grove Street, to East
Main Street and into downtown Rockville. The parade wraps around Central Park in front of Vernon Town Hall.
A Memorial Day observance then takes place at the veterans’ memorial in Central Park. Connecticut Air National Guard C-130s have been requested to fly over Rockville between 10:30 and 11 a.m., weather permitting. The parade grand marshal is Army veteran Joseph Michael Saveriano, who served from 1989 to 1997. The Rockville High School and Vernon Center Middle School bands will march in the parade, along with
veterans, firefighters, scouts and others.