Since the inaugural Decoration Day in 1866 honoring those who died fighting in our nation's Civil War, Americans have paused in late May to remember U.S. military personnel who gave their lives defending our nation. Decoration Day became Memorial Day in 1882, and the national holiday honors those who have fallen in American wars. Today, across our nation, Americans will pause to spend time with their families, enjoy picnics, take in a ballgame or just enjoy a relaxing day that marks the unofficial start of summer. Please take a moment this Memorial Day to honor our fallen. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice. 

This page will host the many events in May around Memorial Day commemorations. They are posted in chronological order and will be adjusted as to put completed events at the bottom. Check back often for as they will be updated frequently.

New Canaan Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade

​Monday 26 May

1. DEALEY Division will march in the New Canaan Memorial Day parade and participate in the ceremony to follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
2. Date: Monday, May 26, 2025.
3. Muster: No later than 0900. Please do not arrive late as the police will start closing roads. Parade starts at 0930.
4. Uniform: Dress White.
5. Drop off: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan CT 06840 parking lot. All traffic will be directed to the northern most driveway for drop-off. Officers will be there to assist. Once dropped off, families should proceed to find parking near the cemetery for easier pickup.
6. Parking: Park near the cemetery. You can back track the parade route if you would like to watch and then follow the crowd into the cemetery. Pick up after the parade should occur on Main Street and Harrison Avenue. Officers will be there to assist.
7. Parade Route: The Parade steps off from St. Mark’s Church and proceeds down Oenoke Ridge Road to upper Main Street, past the Wayside Cross at God’s Acre, past the Firehouse and Town Hall, and continues down Main Street to the Cemetery entrance. Parade marchers will enter the Cemetery for the Ceremony.  (Note: No street parking will be allowed on Main Street from 8:00 am until the parade finishes.) 
8. Ceremony: Cadets will provide a rifle "three riffle volley" for a ceremony. Cadets not involved in the rifle detail and their families are encouraged to stay for the ceremony. If leaving early please advise a staff member.
9. Forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 7 mph.
10. More: Visit New Canaan’s webpage for additional information.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Brian van der Heyden, Ceremony Guest Speaker will be My Linh Shattan, and representing New Canaan clergy will be Rev. Gilbert Burgess, pastor of New Canaan Baptist Church. No parking will be allowed on Main Street from 8 a.m. until the parade finishes. In the event of heavy rain (forecast is favorable this year), a parade cancelation notice will be posted on the Town website and social media pages, and the Memorial Day Ceremony will be conducted in Town Hall at 10 a.m. with limited seating. 

PARADE LINE OF MARCH
The Parade starts at 9:30 AM and Marches From St. Marks Church proceeding down Oenoke Ridge Road and all the way down Main Street turning left into the cemetery entrance.

1. Color Guard
2. Grand Marshal
3. Exchange Club
4. Veterans
5. Town Officials and Clergy
6. Town Band
7. Board of Education
8. Police Department
9. US Naval Sea Cadets Corps
10. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
11. Girl Scouts, Brownies, Daisies and the Service Unit
12. ... List continues see this webpage.

The Memorial Day Ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery Starts Immediately Following The Parade

1.        Introduction 
2.        Invocation 
3.        Raising of the flag
4.        Pledge of Allegiance 
5.        Star Spangled Banner 
6.        Veterans Ceremony 
7.        Placing of wreaths and flags 
8.        Guest Speaker 
9.        Gun salute 
10.        Taps  
11.        Closing Music 
12.        Benediction 
13.        Closing comments
14.        Final announcements 
15.        Military flyover by C-130 transport plane at 11:00 AM

Stamford Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade

1. DEALEY Division will march in the Stamford Memorial Day parade and participate in the ceremony to follow at Veterans Memorial Park.
2. Date: Sunday, 18, 2024.
3. Muster: No later than 1130. Please do not arrive late as the police will start closing roads. Parade starts at 1200.
4. Uniform: Dress White for Sea Cadets and Summer Dress for League Cadets.
5. Drop off: Corner of Hoyt St and Bedford St. See map and click here for drop off diagram, staging and parking info. Enter Hoyt St from Summer St, drop off then continue on Hoyt St. to desired parking. Stamford Town Center Mall parking level 3 entering from Greyrock Pl is ideal. It has easy access to the park via the covered passageway. 
6. Parking: Three parking garages are available. Parking is free on Sunday. For ease of leaving after the ceremony, park at the Stamford Town Center (Mall). Or park at the city operated garages at Bell St or Broad St. The parade route is short so form any parking you have an easy walk to the Veterans Memorial Park and parade route. 
7. Parade Route: From North St, south on Bedford St, across Broad St, south on Atlantic St to Veterans Memorial Park. 
8. Ceremony: Cadets will assist in the ceremony. The division will form up near the monoliths and provide honor guard for the wreath laying. The ceremony will start approximately at 1300 and finish around 1400.
9. Forecast: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Sunscreen is recommended.
10. More: Visit Stamford’s webpage for additional information. A live stream is available here.

Stamford Advocate

Veterans Graves Flag Planting - Saturday 17 May

• Background: As we prepare for Memorial Day events, Dealey Division, as has been the tradition for years, will assist Springdale Post 9617, VFW, in placing U.S. flags  at Saint John Cemetery in Stamford/Darien. We remember all veterans who have passed and who have protected our freedom and liberty. We honor them by planting U.S. flags next to their grave sites. Thank you to the City of Stamford for providing the flags. Please confirm with your chain of command that you are attending. This requires all hands participation to be successful. Family members are encouraged to participate with their cadets. Bring your friends as we can credit them for service ours as well as for all cadets attending. See details below. A link to the VFW website event page is here. See the attached flier below this section. Click here for the flier.
• Location: Saint John Cemetery, 25 Camp Ave, Darien CT 06820. The cemetery spans the Stamford/Darien border at the corner of Camp Ave and Hoyt St. See below for map and event flier.
• Day and Time: Saturday, May 17, Muster at 0800. Approximate end time is 1100 depending on how quickly flags are planted.
• Uniform: Navy Working Uniform Type III. For adults and friends, wear comfortable clothing and shoes good for walking (it may be a warm day). Use sunscreen. Arrive well hydrated. You may roll up your sleeves for comfort but don't forget the sunscreen.
• Weather: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Current forecast.
• Assembly: Meet by the cemetery office and garage, whose entrance is the last Hoyt St entrance (when heading north) just before Camp Ave.
• Notable Fact: Grave location of SSGT Homer Wise, U.S. Army, WWII. One of Stamford's Medal of Honor recipients.

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Halloween Yacht Club Commissioning - Saturday 17 May

• ​Background: The Halloween Yacht Club invites us every year to support their commissioning with the raising of the flag.
• Location: Halloween Yacht Club, 10 Seaview Ave, Stamford CT 06902.
• Day and Time: Saturday, 17 May 2025,  Muster at 1230. 
• Uniform: Dress White. If you are attending the flag planting bring your whites in a garment bag. We will be able to change at the base beforehand. There will be food available after the flag raising.
• Assembly: Near the flagpole.

Stamford Yacht Club Commissioning - Saturday 17 May

• ​Background: The Stamford Yacht Club supports is a valued supporter of our program and therefore we give back by providing a Color Guard for their commissioning. Commissioning is the official opening of the yacht club and the ceremony involves naval ceremonial traditions.
• Location: 97 Ocean Drive W, Stamford CT 06902. Park in the guest parking lot across from the main entrance or on the street.
• Day and Time: Saturday, 18 May,  Muster at 1600. Practice from 1615 to 1715. Assembly for the ceremony starts at 1720.
• Uniform: Dress White. Color guard attire and gear will be prepositioned at SYC. A changing room is available if you prefer to cary your uniform.
• Assembly: The CO will be on premises to receive the cadets in the front entrance.
• Families: Commissioning is a club member only event but... There is a viewing location if you want to watch your cadet. The ceremony starts at 1730 but you should be preposition 20 minutes  ahead of time. The CO or XO will coordinate with any family wishing to view. The ceremony will last about 30 minutes and the cadets are welcome to stay from some refreshments. Please let the CO if you are going to stay after the ceremony.