This weekend will be full of parades and events honoring our fallen servicemen and women on Memorial Day. Here is a schedule of events in Meriden, Wallingford, Southington, and Cheshire.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the Cheshire Veterans Council will place flags on the gravesites of veterans as part of the annual Flags Across Cheshire campaign.

Volunteers will head to Hillside Cemetery off Wallingford Road and St. Bridget of Sweden Cemetery. They will place flags in the center and as close to the gravestone or marker as possible, in deference to cemetery maintenance. 

The 55th Annual Cheshire Memorial Day Parade will start at 1:30 p.m. at Highland Elementary School and proceed down Route 10, ending at Cheshire High School.

“It will be led by the Grand Marshal Car,” said Andrew Martelli, economic development coordinator for the town. “The co-Grand Marshals are Rene Gagnon and Fred Coughlan.”

Following in the procession will be the VFW, a veterans motorcade, as well as the Town Council and the Board of Education among other groups, organizations and businesses.

“There's a veterans memorial at the Town Green so the parade will stop there and they will have a ceremony at the actual memorial before the parade continues down Route 10,” Martelli said.

Wallingford is also hosting annual Memorial Day commemorations Sunday. 

“To start our weekend off is the Interfaith Memorial Day Service which will be held at Most Holy Trinity Church,” said Ruth Palmer, chair of the Veterans Committee in Wallingford. 

The service will begin at 7 p.m.

“We’d really love a lot of people to attend because everyone who has died in the service from the town, their names are mentioned and everyone says present after the fact,” Palmer said. “And it’s just a very nice service to see how fortunate we are that we had so many before us to help us so that we’re all safe and whatnot.” 

The 2023 Meriden Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m.

“We start staging on Curtis Street at 9 a.m.” said City Councilor Bob Williams, of the American Legion Post 45 in Meriden. “We go down Broad Street, we then go down East Main Street onto Pratt Street and it ends at the Meriden Green.”

All are welcomed to march in the parade. 

“It doesn't have to be veterans groups; it can be any organization, group, non-profits, businesses, trucks, antique cars, motorcycles etc.” Williams said. “And this year we’re very fortunate we have five school bands: Washington, Lincoln and Edison middle schools, and Platt and Maloney high schools participating. I don’t think that’s ever happened to the best of my knowledge. It's pretty exciting.”

There will then be a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Meriden Green. 

“We also welcome veterans and/or family members to say a few words if they wish to in regards to a loved one or family member that might have perished based on his or her service to our country,” Williams said. 

Williams strongly encourages everyone, especially the youth, young adults, and children in middle school and high school to come out and enjoy both events.

“Parents can bring their children along the parade route and even stay for the ceremony. It's relatively quick,” he added. ”But come out and understand what Memorial Day means. It’s a remembrance of men and women who put their lives on the line for the betterment of our country and our freedom. And I think it’s a strong message that we tend to forget about.” 

At 9 a. m. on Monday will be the Wallingford Memorial Day service at Dutton Park on North Main Street. About 10 minutes after the service completion will be the Wallingford Memorial Day Parade.

“It’s going to be a very impressive parade this year as a result of everybody having to wait three years,” Palmer said. 

“We did have a parade last year but it was very small,” Palmer said. “But it feels wonderful to be back in person and in full swing. I think it’s good for the town and the kids performing.”

The parade steps off from Dutton Park and ends at Town Hall.

“We’d like our parade to be a solemn scenario because it's for those that have fallen and died for our country and we’d like to honor in that way and I just think it’s a wonderful way to honor,” Palmer said.

Participants in this year’s Southington Memorial Day Parade will begin lining up at Derynoski Elementary School’s lower parking lot on Eden Avenue  between 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

The parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. entering Eden Avenue. It will then proceed west to Liberty Street, right (north) on to Liberty Street, and proceed through the intersection at Columbus Avenue. It will then continue to the intersection at Center Street, right (east, against traffic) onto Center Street, and proceed to the Town Green. It will turn right again onto Apple Way passing American Legion Post 72, continuing to Columbus Avenue, making the final right hand turn (west) on to Columbus Avenue. 

Immediately following the parade a Memorial Day Ceremony honoring veterans will be held in front of the American Legion located at 64 Main St. in Southington.

Walk, run or jog into the day with the 2023 Meriden Memorial Mile Monday taking place at Israel Putnam Elementary School, 133 Parker Ave . 

“All runners, joggers, and walkers are welcome to join us as we celebrate, remember, and support our local Veterans,” Derek Destefano, event organizer said.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit local veterans and help connect the community with future running & fitness events.

“Trophies and medals will be given to our top three male and female overall finishers and first place division finishers,” Destefano said.

From 8-11 a.m. on Monday the Southington Elks Lodge 1669 will be hosting its Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast.

The menu for the morning includes pancakes with strawberries & whip cream, sausages, coffee, tea and orange juice. The lodge encourages you to stop by for some pancakes for a good cause before Southington’s Memorial Day Parade.

chooks@record-journal.com203-317-2279