Sherman makes new Memorial Day plans due to coronavirus
SHERMAN — Instead of the usual parade, the town is finding different ways to celebrate Memorial Day this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Veterans Association Commander Ed Hayes said the parade has been rescheduled for June 14, but there will be a “very different, scaled-down” celebration in May.
“Social distancing will be first and foremost on everyone’s mind,” First Selectman Don Lowe said.
Not only is the Sherman Veterans Association trying to keep the number of participants down to comply with socia distancing measures, Hayes said, but they’re exploring whether the event can be recorded so people can watch it from home.
This year’s Memorial Day celebration will begin with a flag ceremony in front of the town’s veterans memorial outside the Old Town Hall at 8
Route 37.
The American flag will begin at half-staff, raised to full-staff, then returned to half-staff — but if the ceremony goes beyond noon, the flag will remain at full-staff per protocol, Hayes explained.
“It’s a very dignified and respectful ceremony,” he said.
The flag ceremony will be followed by a wreathlaying and sounding of taps.
“What’s unique about it is we’re going to have a number of buglers lined down Sawmill Road towards Veteran’s Field,” Hayes said.
One bugler will start playing at the Veterans Memorial, then halfway through the next bugler will begin to play.
“That will be the sequence all the way down to the last of the buglers who will complete taps,” Hayes said.
“It sounds very inspiring, very dignified and very moving.
“We’ve never done this before.”
Hayes, a U.S. Navy veteran, said it’s important that people remember what Memorial Day is really all about.
“People think of Memorial Day as the kickoff day to summer, barbecues and that sort of thing, but it’s a very solemn day. It’s for all men and women who have given their lives defending our freedom,” he said.
The Sherman Veterans Association hasn’t finished making all of its Memorial Day plans, but they are attempting to schedule a formal meeting sometime this week to tie up loose ends.
“We don't have a lot of time, so we have to get this ball rolling, but we don’t want to do it so quickly that we don’t make it as dignified as we could possibly make it,” Hayes said.
The start time of the Memorial Day ceremony has yet to be determined, but Hayes said it is “tentatively scheduled to begin in the morning.”