Memorial Day events
Several towns in the region are celebrating Memorial Day and honoring the people who died while serving in the U.S. military with parades on Monday. Here are some of the events.
Monday, May 30
Pawcatuck-Westerly parade — 9:30 a.m., starts at the Pawcatuck Shopping Center, travels via West Broad Street into Westerly and onto High Street, ending at the gazebo in Wilcox Park; music and ceremonies follow at the Wilcox Park gazebo, wtih guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Glen A. Dececco, and then lunch at VFW Post 1265, 160 South Broad St., Pawcatuck.
Noank parade — 10 a.m., will begin at Church and Main Streets near Carson’s Store, proceed down Pearl, over Chester to High, up to Sylvan and back across Main again to Ward Avenue and the Fire House; the new Mosher Avenue RR bridge will be open, so the parade will continue on Mosher to Elm Street, stopping for a memorial ceremony in the Noank Cemetery, and then proceeding north to the Memorial Triangle at Elm and Brook Streets for a final ceremony; there will also be a fund-raising picnic, provided by the American Legion Post # 115, starting at 11:00 AM in the village park next to the Firehouse.
Old Saybrook parade — 10 a.m., starts at Elm Street, will go straight across Route 1 to Main Street and proceed to the Veterans Memorial Monuments on the Town Green, where a Memorial Program will be conducted; there will also be a Dockside Naval Ceremony with a rifle salute at 9 a.m. at the Saybrook Point Pavilion parking lot located at the end of College Street, with a Wreath Laying Ceremony.
Taftville ceremony — 10 a.m., Memorial Park, corner of South Second Avenue and South B Street, Taftville; the Peter Gallan American Legion Post 104 and the Frederick J. Sullivan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2212 will honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. In case of inclement weather, ceremony moves to: American Legion Post 104 headquarters, 22 Merchants Ave.
Memorial Day ceremony — 11 a.m., U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II Memorial (East) National Memorial (East), 37 Bridget St., Groton; held by the Submarine Veterans Groton.
Norwich parade — noon, starts in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 213 Broadway; full route TBA; the Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony will start immediately following, at approximately 1:30 p.m., at Chelsea Parade.