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10/25/2017 04:18 PMOctober 25, 2017: Branford's upcoming Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 5 may very well be the last one in Branford for a while, unless attendance improves.
"Compared to Memorial Day, Veterans Day doesn't have nearly as many residents watching it," said Bill O'Brien, chairman of the town's Veterans Day Parade Committee.
Members of Branford's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion have become disappointed with the poor support shown over the past eight to 10 years at the November parade. Discussions have been held at recent meetings about not having a Veterans Day parade this year; but the committee opted to notify the public first to see if attendance improves.
Memorial Day is held to honor men and women who died while serving in the United States military and Veterans Day is held to honor American veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice.
"Everybody is very busy with all their daily activities, and we understand that" said O'Brien. "And there's a lot more diversions to view a parade in November then there is in May."
Memorial Day is held on a Monday holiday, with not as much competition; compared to Veterans Day, which is held on a Sunday [competing with] everything from family dinners to youth sports and other activities, such as NFL football games on television. The weather could have a bearing on attendance, as well. Naturally, November can be chilly; and that may stop some people from attending.
"Even our marching units have told us it's disparaging marching along Main Street to a sparse crowd," said O'Brien. "Memorial Day draws many more people along the whole route, especially in the town center where it starts."
Branford is not the only town that has been thinking about cancelling their parade and just having a service. Hartford announced over the summer they were cancelling their parade this year, in part because of the poor attendance.
The past two Memorial Day parades in Branford were cancelled because of rain, and the services were moved to the Branford High School gymnasium.
"People told me they enjoyed the services there," said O'Brien. "The bands played, students read their essays, there was an address by a Veteran parade marshal, along with some prayers for those who died."
Plans for this year's Veterans Day Parade include moving the ceremonies from the Cenotaph behind Town Hall to the front of the Town Green, similar to Memorial Day.
Branford's 2017 Veterans Day ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m. on Sun. Nov. 5. Captain Vincent Giordano, U.S. Army will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the services and Selectman James Cosgrove will give greetings. Elliott Hastings, Commander of the VFW Post #12106, will give the address.
The parade will step off at 1:30 p.m. heading West on Main Street to North Harbor Street and return to the green. There will be six bands and fife and drum corps, including Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, Second Company Governors Foot Guard, Branford High School Marching Band, Totoket Ancient Fife & Drum Corps and St. Mary's School Fife & Drum Corps. The Branford Town Band will remain on the green and play a variety of Military songs while the parade is in process.
There will be a float provided by the Iwo Jima Survivors association and several vehicles from the 'Take a Vet Fishing' program. Town and State Officials are also expected to march. Other marchers include several Girl Scout and Brownie troops as well as Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops from Branford and North Branford, members of the Knights of Columbus and what may be a large contingent of members of the Elk Lodges from different parts of the state who formerly participated in the Hartford parade. There will also be several vintage automobiles among the marchers and a number of Fire Companies and Emergency vehicles.