Avon VFW Slates Memorial Day Parade, Observances

From Avon VFW: The Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272, VFW, Avon, CT announces its plans for the 72nd Annual Memorial Day Parade and Observances to be held on Monday, May 29, 2017. As they have done since 1946, their Memorial Day will begin at 7:30 a.m. by visiting seven Avon cemeteries, placing wreaths, performing a brief service and playing taps in recognition and honor of all the departed veterans of Avon.

The Parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. from the parking lot of Sperry Park on Simsbury Road. The Avon VFW veterans and their color guard will lead the parade. Antique cars will be provided veterans who are unable to march. This year the Avon VFW warmly invites all military veterans to march, or ride, with them in the parade. To arrange a ride, please contact Bill Samol at 860-673-0594. The veterans will be followed by the Avon Police and their color guard, elected officials of the Town of Avon, the Avon High School Marching Band, the Avon Fire Department and their color guard. Following them will be the Avon Boy and Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies, Indian Princesses and the First Co. Governor’s Horse Guards led by Captain Christopher Miller.

The parade will stop at the East Avon Cemetery next to the Avon Congregational Church for a short memorial service to honor the veterans buried there. It will then proceed to Route 44, turn RIGHT and finish at the Veteran’s Memorial on the Avon Town Green.

At 11:30 a.m., a memorial service will be held at the Avon Veteran’s Memorial on the Town Green with Post Commander, Jim Hutton, a veteran of the Vietnam War, will serve as master of ceremonies. The invocation will be offered by Timothy Healy, Deacon of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. After the presentation of the Memorial Wreath and Forget-me-Nots, the Pledge of Allegiance will be held. There will be a reading of “In Flanders Fields” by Deacon Tim Healy followed by the firing of rifles and the playing of Taps. This year’s keynote speaker will be James Flannery, former Captain, U.S. Army and veteran of the War on Terror. The VFW Auxiliary will be on the Town Green with many patriotic items to sell as a fundraiser for their many events that benefit local veterans and their families.

The War Memorial on the Town Green lists 719 Veterans from Avon who served their country from the Mexican War to the Gulf War and separately honors 41 Veterans who gave their lives in four wars. Four new stones were added to the memorial in recent years in order to have names of those Avon residents who served in the War on Terror that began on September 11, 2001.

The public is cordially invited to participate in this traditional memorial event and observe with the VFW the true meaning of Memorial Day – a day for remembering those whose died while serving in the country’s armed forces. By honoring those who lost their lives defending us, we preserve their memory, service and sacrifice. Show your strong support for America, its Armed Forces and its Veterans – especially during this time of War. This is a year for families and friends to demonstrate their patriotic spirit.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be conducted at Avon’s Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road at 11:00a.m.

Photo courtesy of Avon VFW