Vernon’s Memorial Day parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m. at Northeast School and proceeded the short distance to Grove Hill Cemetery, where a ceremony to honor veterans took place. The Rockville Band marched in the parade.
After the ceremony, the parade formed back up on Hale Street and continued from Hale Street to Grove Street, to East Main Street and into downtown Rockville. The parade wrapped around Central Park in front of Vernon Town Hall. A Memorial Day observance took place at the Veterans Memorial in the park. Connecticut Air National Guard C-130s flew over Rockville.
The parade grand marshal was Mike Gardner, a 26-year Navy veteran, Vernon native and former commander of the local American Legion Post. During his time in the Navy, he served in combat aboard a mine sweeper during the Persian Gulf War. He was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
