Derby-Shelton Memorial Day parade details

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich 
Register Correspondent

Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman has announced the schedule for upcoming Memorial Day observances in both Shelton and Derby.

The Derby-Shelton Memorial Day observances will kick off with a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Derby High School. The service honors all veterans who passed away from Derby and Shelton since last Memorial Day. The guest speaker is Shelton native Col. Robert Cody from the Connecticut Army National Guard. Families who lost a veteran in the past year are invited to attend and will be presented with a flower of remembrance as a roll call of the deceased is conducted. The Derby High School Band will play a medley of military music and provide buglers for taps.

Then on Monday the annual Derby-Shelton Memorial Day parade will step off at 9 a.m. at Howe Avenue and Wharf Street. The parade will take place rain or shine. The Second Company Governors Foot Guard will participate as the military marching unit representing the State of Connecticut. The Derby and Shelton Police Departments will be joined by the Bridgeport Police Color Guard and the New Haven Police Emerald Society.

 The parade will briefly stop on the Bridge Street bridge for a short ceremony. A wreath will dropped into the water in memory of all veterans lost at sea. A flyover by the Connecticut National Guard will conclude the ceremony. The parade will then continue into Derby.

The parade route begins in Shelton from Howe Avenue (Route 110) to Kneen Street, right on Coram Avenue, right on White Street, right on Howe Avenue (Route 110) and left onto Bridge Street Rte 712. The parade crosses into Derby turning right on Main Street (Route 34), left on Elizabeth Street and concludes past Cottage Street.

Residents are reminded of the parking ban which takes effect at 6 a.m.Monday and lasts until the conclusion of the parade in both Shelton and Derby. Cars on the parade route and line-up area will be towed after 6 a.m.