Politics & Government

VIDEO: Memorial Day Parade, Veterans' Ceremony

A ceremony for veterans past and present was held after the annual Memorial Day parade.

 

Hundreds of people watched and participated in the annual and veterans’ ceremony Monday morning.

Veterans, public safety officials, little leaguers and town officials walked in the parade, which is sponsored by the and the town of Rocky Hill. It started at the parking lot, went down Parsonage Street to Old Main Street and ended on the Town Green.

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Following the parade, a ceremony to remember our veterans was held at the Town Green.

The ceremony included speeches by military and political officials, the Rocky Hill High School band performing the national anthem and Taps and finished with a rifle volley and wreaths being placed on memorials. There was even a jet flyover.

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"What we have here in Rocky Hill is small town America. We are not rushing off to the mall or beach, we are here honoring our veterans," said Mayor Anthony LaRosa, who was presented. "I feel this is the most patriotic of holidays."

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Some of the speakers included LaRosa, State Rep. Antonio Guerrera and Chamber of Commerce President Ric Valliere, who told freedom does not come without a sacrifice.

"Freedom has a great cost, a great price and that is why we are here today," he said.

The keynote speaker for the event was VFW Commander Kevin Martin who explained to the crowd that 1,343,812 veterans and counting have died since the Revolutionary War.

"The soldiers who died gave us a great gift, freedom," he said. "We are reminded that freedom costs a high price in human terms."

In the end, LaRosa thanked all those in attendance for coming, but also asked them to take a moment to say a prayer for the soldiers who had died and their families. The mayor had one final request of the crowd.

"I hope to see you all back here on November 11, Veterans Day," he concluded.


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