Bristol Veterans Council, American Legion Post 2 Announce Annual Memorial Day Procession

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

April 19, 2022

The Bristol Veterans Council and American Legion Post 2 will conduct the annual Memorial Day Procession on Monday, May 30.

Tim Gamache, member of the Bristol Veterans Council will coordinate forming and organization for the procession. It will gather at 9 a.m. on Hope Street at the intersection with N. Main St. The procession will begin at 10 a.m.

"It's called a Procession because it does not allow vendors of any kind," said Bristol Veterans Council Chair Dave Carello. "It is a day of remembering those from Bristol, and the nation who had made the supreme sacrifice during our nation's wars."

Carello said that the Procession will be led by the Bristol Police Department Color Guard. It will also include members and apparatus of the Bristol Fire Department and other marching organizations.

The procession will continues south on North Main Street, taking a left eastbound onto School Street before continuing onto the Bristol Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The procession continues on the Boulevard and ends at the gazebo on the north side of the Boulevard.

When the procession reaches the gazebo, the Missing in Action/Prisoner of War (MIA/POW) table ceremony will be conducted by former mayor and Vietnam War veteran Art Ward and Gamache, who is also a Vietnam War veteran.

Mayor Jeff Caggiano will then give greetings from the City and Veterans Council Vice Chair Richard M. Carello will speak about the significance of Memorial Day.

The names of local people who served and lost their lives in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War will also be read.

“Taps” will then be played, followed by the firing of a three-round volley by members of the Bristol American Legion Post 2 Honor Guard. This will conclude the Memorial Day procession.

Following the ceremony at the gazebo, all present will be asked to walk a short distance back west-bound on the Boulevard for the unveiling of the new Blue Star marker.

Carello said that the marker was "graciously and patriotically" provided by the Bristol Garden Club and the National Garden Club.

"It is a National Honor presented to the City of Bristol and its veterans, which honors American Veterans on highways and byways all across the United States," said Carello.

The Blue Star Marker will be landscaped and beautified by members of the Bristol Garden Club in conjunction with the City of Bristol Parks Department.

Any civic group, youth group, veteran organization or other appropriate organization that wishes to participate in the Memorial Day Procession is asked to contact Bristol Veterans Council Chair Dave Carello via email at dcarellobpd@yahoo.com.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.