Connecticut Veterans Day Parade Seeks Sponsors, Volunteers and Veterans

Connecticut is sending out the call to all towns and cities in the state for U.S. veterans, businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in one of the nation’s largest salutes to veterans parades. The 12th annual “Connecticut Veterans Parade” will step off on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 12:30 p.m. near the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford and will proceed through the downtown area.

Last year, nearly 4,000 people marched or rode in the Connecticut Veterans Parade, making it the largest veterans’ parade in New England and one of the biggest in the entire nation. The colorful parade honors the dedication and sacrifices of servicemen and women from all U.S. conflicts, and offers the state’s residents the opportunity to express their thanks. Special features will include a tolling of church bells and a Moment of Silence when the parade pauses in observance of veterans who died while serving their country.

U.S. veterans are encouraged to register now to march or ride in the 2011 Connecticut Veterans Parade. 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, and Reserves is welcome to participate. Parade organizers also seek veterans groups, patriotic commissions, local municipalities, and marching bands and drill teams from colleges, high schools and middle schools, as well as pipe & drum and fife & drum corps from all over the state.

In addition, for the second consecutive year, the Veterans Day National Committee in Washington, D.C. has announced that the parade is recognized as one of the nation’s official “Veterans Day Regional Sites”. The parade is one of only 57 entities in the entire U.S. and the only Connecticut recipient of the prestigious honor.

To register to march or volunteer in the 2011 Connecticut Veterans Parade, or learn more about becoming a parade sponsor, call the Parade Info Phone at 860-986-7254 or visit www.ctveteransparade.org.