From politicians to priests, from cops to kids, from Little League to the American Legion, nearly all of New London was on display at this year’s Memorial Day parade. More than 1,000 people participated and even more lined the route that began at the intersection of Broad and Williams streets, moved east on Broad Street, zigged onto Huntington Street, then zagged onto State Street, made a right onto Bank Street, before finishing near Fire Headquarters.
“It’s a great annual thing,” said John Norman of New London “It’s a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle.”
Norman and his son, Denzel, found a spot on the sidewalk near the beginning of the parade, where they could see co-
organizer and former Mayor Wayne Vendetto directing traffic.
Vendetto helped to put the parade together along with Val Tamano, the assistant to the superintendent of schools.
The parade was also the kickoff to the public schools’ Hope Week, a series of activities designed to bring the schools and the city closer together.
Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clouet was one of the first city luminaries in the parade, as he joined New London Teacher of the Year Ann Miller in a green, two-tone Rolls-Royce.
Members of the Board of Education walked behind board President Alvin Kinsall, who rode shotgun in a Honda convertible.
The loudest cheers came for members of the Connecticut Army National Guard, who paraded along with one of their military vehicles.
Also, Korean War veterans marched with signs proclaiming “The Forgotten War.”
The City Council engaged in some bipartisan candy-throwing as they followed Mayor Kevin Cavanagh, who was marching with Rep. Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford.
Also, throwing sweets was Rep. Ernest Hewett.
Waterford was well-represented by the high school Lancer Marching Band as well as First Selectman Dan Steward and the Waterford Police Department’s yellow Corvette.
Various religious groups also marched, such as the Faith Fellowship, whose members held signs that read “Repent For The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”
The Islamic Center of New London also participated, with one of the marchers wearing a Palestinian flag as a cape.
The honor students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School were on a float, and all of the elementary schools participated as well.
Some of the students from the Jennings School performed songs from their upcoming musical The Pied Piper of Hamelin and carried placards that read “Down with Rats.”
New London High’s marching band performed patriotic music, and the NLHS Junior ROTC marched in time.
City Clerk Michael Tranchida donned an “I Love NL” shirt and marched with the New London Elks Club,
Save Ocean Beach had longtime shoreline advocate Louise Fabrykiewicz, Ms. Fab to most people, sitting in a trailer made up to look like a day at the beach.
“I would have walked,” she joked.
The New London Housing Authority and the Front Porch Foundation joined forces for a float, with a group enjoying soft drinks on some patio furniture.
“This is fun,” Bill Krajewski, a life-long New Londoner, said. “I’ve been coming down since I was a kid.”