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New Milford, CT

New Milford's Memorial Day Parades

Cover Image for New Milford's Memorial Day Parades

Memorial Day commemorates all men and women who have died in U.S. military service. New Milford will celebrate these heroes on Monday, May 30!

  • The Memorial Day Parade in Gaylordsville steps off at 8:00am at New Milford Town Hall. 
  • The Downtown New Milford Memorial Parade starts at 10:00am in front of the New Milford Library.

Learn more HERE.

Memorial Day Facts (courtesy Town of New Milford)

  • Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. 
  • The holiday began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War, but the day now honors all U.S. veterans who have sacrificed their lives.
  • There’s a specific way to display the American flag on Memorial Day, according to the U.S. Flag Code: hoist the flag quickly up to full staff at sunrise, then lower to half-staff until noon, and then return to the top of the staff.
  • Many veterans, as well as friends and family of veterans, make a pilgrimage to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend.
  • In 1971, Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday taking place on the last Monday in May. 
  • Poppies have become a symbol of Memorial Day because they are mentioned in a 1915 poem by Canadian soldier John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields.”
  • Many Americans mark Memorial Day with an official moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
  • During the 3 p.m. moment of remembrance on Memorial Day, Amtrak conductors sound one long whistle in honor of those who have died in service.
  • Traditionally, American presidents give a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  • New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day as an official holiday.
  • Some Southern states celebrate a Confederate Memorial Day, or Confederate Heroes Day, in late April, remembering the Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.
  • The first Indianapolis 500 race took place on Memorial Day in 1911. 
  • The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated by then-Chief Justice William Taft on Memorial Day in 1922.