Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Applause broke out as soldiers and veterans passed by the spectators in Colchester, Connecticut town center yesterday for the Memorial Day Parade. Colchester was one of the fortunate towns where holiday events were slated for one of the two good weather days this weekend – Saturday and Sunday. Many towns that had planned parades for today either cancelled, moved speeches indoors or rescheduled due to expected downpours.

Sunny skies prevailed for the Colchester parade accompanied by heat and humidity. Marching down Norwich Avenue the parade turned onto the main road then made its way to the podium on the town green. In addition to military participants there was a local school marching band and the Colchester Continentals Fife & Drum Corps providing patriotic music, as well as, youth baseball players, scouts, firefighters pulling a vintage pumper, a U.S. Navy SUBASE POLICE boat. A poignant float depicting what appeared to be a World War I military aid station paid tribute to the American Red Cross.

Bonnie with her dogs Murphy & Addie.

Hometown America enjoying the parade.

No parade is complete without onlookers ….. On this Memorial Day “thank you” to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and our veterans, and to those who continue to serve.