By Mike Parahus
(May 5, 2023) — The Killingworth Memorial Day parade will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023. The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. and follow a route from Killingworth Elementary School proceeding south on Route 81. The parade will end at the Congregational Church where a ceremony will be held with state and local officials, as well as veterans, in attendance.
A military guard with flags will be on site, Taps will be played, and we expect a flyover to occur around the time of the ceremony. We encourage all who watch the parade to gather at the Congregational Church to take part in and observe the ceremony. New this year will be a field of crosses, marked with the names of all those from Killingworth who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Prior to the parade, a short flag raising ceremony will be held at the Memorials in front of Town Hall and volunteers, in conjunction with the Killingworth Lions Club, will place flags on all veterans graves in the cemeteries around town. A small ceremony will be held at Evergreen Cemetery on Green Hill Road (near the Killingworth/Madison town line) at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
While Memorial Day marks the start of the summer season, we ask that you remember what the purpose of Memorial Day is. Memorial Day is held in remembrance of soldiers who fell in combat, risking their lives for their country. It is about gratitude. The modern Memorial Day observance began with the end of the Civil War.
That started a tradition of placing flowers on the graves of the fallen to honor their memory…. a tradition that continues today at Arlington National Cemetery and across our country with the placement of American flags on veterans’ graves. A dedicated group of volunteers continues this tradition each year in Killingworth.
We welcome groups and organizations to march in the parade. Red, white, and blue are the colors of the day. The staging for the parade will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Killingworth Elementary School.
PRE-REGISTRATION TO MARCH IN THE PARADE IS A REQUIREMENT.
Parade registration forms are available at Town Hall, the Library, and Country Package store. Should you have questions about marching or about any aspect of the parade, please contact Charlie Smith at 203-430-5887 or e-mail at: csmith0701@comcast.net.
Ample parking is available along the parade Route next to the fire house, Town Hall, at the Little League field along Recycle Way, and at St. Lawrence Church near the end of the parade route. Route 81 will be closed to vehicle traffic from KES to the traffic circle during the parade. We invite all to come out and join us in respectfully celebrating the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
