Parade brings together young and old to celebrate freedom, veterans
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Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 12:53pm
North Haven’s annual Memorial Day parade was once again a celebration of the town as well as a fitting tribute to the countless brave soldiers who gave their lives for their country.
The day began with the laying of two memorial wreaths to honor fallen soldiers. After the somber event, citizens eagerly lined the streets to take in the joyous and colorful cavalcade of bands, dancers, Shriners, automobiles, and more.
The parade began at the middle school and snaked its way to town center, where a stage was erected for dignitaries and speakers. The hour-long procession included approximately 63 units, 2,000 marchers, and several hundred veterans, according to Dan Riccio, commander of Post 76, which organized the day’s events.
The parade included the town selectmen and legislators, the high school and middle school bands, various other marching bands, Max Sinoway Baseball, the North Haven Masons Lodge, the Hamden/North Haven Elks Lodge 2224, St. John’s Church and other clergy, several local dancing schools, the Jared Andrew Studio, marchers in memory of Nicole Stepen, a long line of town fire trucks and ambulances, bagpipers, groups of miniature bikes and cars, the town police and fire departments, horses, floats, candy, the American Legion 76 Color Guard, and representatives from various wars.
There was also a low fly over by two helicopters during the procession.
After the parade, citizens gathered in town center for speeches and another wreath ceremony. Following the North Haven High School’s performance of the National Anthem, Pastor Mike Carbaugh of the Pond Hill Baptist Church spoke on the occasion.
“We gather today to pay tribute to those who paid the greatest price so we can enjoy freedom,” Carbaugh said. “We will never forget their sacrifice, their ability to give, or their ability to care.”
Next to speak was the parade’s accomplished grand marshal, Howard Luppi, an American Legion member, former state representative and North Haven selectman, as well as a World War II veteran.
“Memorial Day is about cook outs and fun, but also remembrance,” Luppi said. “Freedom does not come cheaply.”
First Selectman Janet McCarty took the stand next and said that she was impressed with the youthful marchers, of which there were many.
“This is a great mix of celebration,” McCarty said. “I’m in awe of the children participating in the town’s parade – band, karate, dance.”
McCarty added that she was honored to share the stage with Luppi. “He’s a true public servant,” the First Selectman said of the grand marshal.
Riccio honored the fallen and deceased veterans with a reading of the famous war poem “In Flanders Field,” written by Lt. John McCrae in World War I. While holding a poppy he acquired from Arlington National Cemetery, Riccio began reading, “In Flanders Field, the poppies grow…” Upon finishing the poem, which celebrates fallen veterans and the causes for which they perished, Riccio handed his poppy to McCarty.
Past Legion 76 commander and future American Legion state commander Charles Morrissey spoke next. “Memorial day is a special day as all the other speakers said,” Morrissey said. “We are paying respects to those who have – in their service years – made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom. I am also talking about those who survived. Lastly, and most importantly, I am also talking about their families.”
After the North Haven band played a medley of armed forces fight songs, the finalists of the town’s 14th annual fifth grade Memorial Day essay contest were commended on stage by Montowese fifth grade teacher and Vietnam War veteran Stephen Wronski.
Wronski said that over 300 fifth graders from all over town entered the contest by penning an essay on “what it meant to be an American.” The students wrote their essays in class without help, Wronski said, and could not bring their work home. Five finalists from each elementary school were selected and then culled down to the top four. Madeline Fitzgerald took fourth place, Antonia Barbiero third, Marisa Mantovani second, and Shawna Zeisner was picked as the winner and read from her essay before the crowd. Zeisner said that the American life was split into three sections – wars and freedom; important symbols and documents; and an American citizen’s rights, responsibilities, and duties.
Following Zeisner’s essay, Pastor James Bennett of the Community Bible Church gave benediction. “Today is about freedom, and the memory of people who gave their lives to make the day possible,” Bennett said. “And we use that freedom not just to do what we want, but what is right.
“We live as a community nation and serve each other,” Bennett added.
The ceremony commenced with the laying of a final wreath of honor before Town Hall by the town’s veterans. As a number of veterans encircled the wreath, they bowed their heads and offered a moment of silence for the courageous soldiers who made their lives of freedom a reality.
