CT Veterans, This Parade Committee Wants You!

The 14th annual procession will step off on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m. near the Connecticut State Capitol Building in Hartford and will march through downtown area. The parade will take place a week before the federal observance of Veterans Day.

Last year, more than 3,500 people marched or rode in the Connecticut Veterans Parade, making it the largest veterans’ parade in New England and one of the biggest salutes to veterans in the entire nation. The parade honors the dedication and sacrifices of servicemen and women from all U.S. conflicts, and offers state residents the opportunity to express their appreciation in person.

U.S. veterans are encouraged to register now to march or ride. Any Connecticut resident who is an active, retired or honorably discharged member of the U.S. Armed Forces including commissioned officers, warrant officers and enlisted personnel of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves are welcome to participate. 

Parade organizers also seek veterans groups, patriotic commissions, local municipalities, marching bands and drill teams from colleges, high schools and middle schools, and bagpipe and drum corps and fife and drum corps from all over the state.

Special event features will include a wreath-laying ceremony to remember veterans at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at 11:30 a.m., one hour before the parade begins. 

At 1:30 p.m., parade marchers will stop in-place for a Moment of Silence in observance of service members who died while serving their country. 

Ceremonial cannon blasts will kick off the parade at 12:30 p.m., and they also will conclude the Moment of Silence, along with the tolling of church bells and the singing of the National Anthem. 

An impressive roster of Honorary Marshals will be announced by the Connecticut Veterans Parade committee in October.