The annual Branford Veterans Day Parade takes place Sunday, Nov. 10 immediately following a 1 p.m. Veterans Day Ceremony on the town green. The parade is set to step off on Main Street at 1:30 p.m.

"This parade is to honor all those that served in the military," said parade chairman Bill O'Brien. "We hope the residents will turn out to pay tribute to all our many veterans."

Noting Branford is among a handful of towns in Connecticut which holds a Veterans Day Parade, O'Brien said the parade committee is hoping for great public attendance.

"Branford is becoming a parade town," said O'Brien. "We started this year in May with the Memorial Day Parade, just hosted the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade last month and will have the popular [Holiday] Tree Lighting Parade the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving. We are one of the few towns in the state that still has a Veteran's Day parade and I hope our residents support it by attending."

There will be five musical groups marching this year including the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, the Second Company Governors Foot Guard, Branford High School Marching Band, East Shoreline Catholic Academy Fife and Drum Corps and Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Branford Town Band will perform military songs on the town green while the parade is under way.

Former VFW Post 12106 Commander Robert Russell will give the address and will lead the parade [see related story] along with current VFW Post  Commander Elliott Hastings and Branford American Legion Post 83 Commander Donald Langlois.

Other units in this year's parade include the Take a Vet Fishing float, Branford Garden Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #1939, Boy's Scout Troup 428 Honor Guard and other Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops as well as Girl Scout and Brownie troops. There will also be a number vintage and antique cars and Town of Branford fire apparatus.

As part of the day's events, morning ceremonies will be held at the town's seven cemeteries, beginning at 9 a.m. on Sun. Nov. 10. These ceremonies include  the laying of wreaths, the playing of Taps and a firing squad salute. There will also be a Naval service on the South Montowese Street Bridge at 12:15 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, Branford Veterans Day ceremonies will be moved to the Branford High School Gym, 185 East Main St., beginning at 1 p.m.