Tag Archives: Memorial Day parade 2024

Memorial Day Parade 2024: Gallery #4

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 1 comment

Thanks to all who sent photos of today’s Memorial Day parade.

This is (probably) the last gallery.

It was a great day. Huge props to Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, many other town employees, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 and American Legion August Mathias Post 63, for their very hard work to make this year’s event possible.

Bill Vornkahl is smiling on us all, for sure.

Westport CERT — the Community Emergency Response Team — was one of the first groups in today’s parade. (Photo/Frank Rosen)

Nearly half of Westport’s non-partisan RTM was represented in the Memorial Day parade.

Residents of 136 Riverside Avenue enjoyed the parade. (Photo/Diane Johnson)

Westport Woman’s Club says: Don’t forget the Yankee Doodle Fair! (Photo/Amy Schneider)

3 generations of Bollerts. (Photo/Diane Johnson)

Pack 39, on the march. (Photo/Mark Yantachka)

After the parade, the VFW hosted a (free!) lunch. Quartermaster Phil Delgado (dress whites) welcomed the crowd … (Photo/Shobana Mani)

… and Scouts proudly helped serve. (Photo/Gianni Lorenzato)

Scouts and Cub Scouts, under the watchful eye of the Doughboy. (Photo/James Delorey)

1 Comment

Posted in Categories, Westport life

Tagged Memorial Day parade 2024

Memorial Day Parade 2024: Gallery #3

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 1 comment

National Guard gets organized. (Photo/Molly Alger)

Staples High School Marching Band … (Photo/Nancy Lally)

… and Bedford Middle School. (Photo/Shobana Mani)

Not a veteran. (Photo/Nicola Sharian)

Scouts on scooters. (Photo/Pat Saviano)

Here come the motorcycle cops … (Photo/Dan Woog)

… and the rest of the Westport Police. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Every year, Tim Harmon reps the Fire Department. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Westport Lacrosse scores … (Photo/Dan Woog)

… and so does My Team Triumph. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Prime watching spot on Myrtle Avenue. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Lots of blue, and a bit of red. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The meaning of the day. (Photo/Dan Woog)

1 Comment

Posted in Westport life

Tagged Memorial Day parade 2024

Memorial Day Parade 2024: Gallery #2

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 2 comments

A little rain doesn’t stop 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. (Photo/Molly Alger)

League of Women Voters stalwarts Ellie Lowenstein and Pippa Bell Ader. (Photo/Kathie Motes Bennewitz)

St. Paul Christian School (Photo/Bridgette Healey)

(Photo/Nancy Lally)

Former RTM member Harris Falk (Photo/Mike Boyle)

Regan’s first Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Varyk Kutnick)

The Sharp brothers. (Photo/Hope Hageman)

Fife and drum corps (Photo/MaryLou Roels)

Enjoying the show on Myrtle Avenue. (Photo/John Englehart)

Staples High School band. (Photo/Jeanette Floto)

Miggs Burroughs channels his inner Revolutionary War soldier. (Photo/Shobana Mati)

(Photo/Jodie Brooks Aujla)

Staples’ Deneil Betfarhad plays “Taps.” (Photo/Dan Woog)

2 Comments

Posted in Westport life

Tagged Memorial Day parade 2024

Memorial Day Parade 2024: Gallery #1

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 4 comments

American servicemembers faced gruesome conditions in every war they’ve fought.

So a little rain shouldn’t have deterred marchers and viewers, at today’s Memorial Day parade.

It didn’t.

Crowds showed up for the hundreds of veterans, first responders, bands, civic groups, kids’ activities and random others who make Westport’s annual event such a wonderful community occasion.

The ceremony afterward, highlighted by grand marshal and Korean War combat pilot Charles Lamb Jr. — along with the ceremonial laying of a wreath, and playing of “Taps” — was especially meaningful this year.

It was the first one in over half a century not overseen by Bill Vornkahl. But Westport’s “Mr. Parade” was there in spirit.

As was every man and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

With solemnity — and a festive parade — we remember them.

Westport EMS and CERT, ready to line up. (Photo/Molly Alger)

Teddy Sealove, Keaton Ellis and Jake Bryniczka get ready too. (Photo/Joselyn Fine)

The Driscolls — veteran parade watchers. (Photo/Sheila Freitag)

Waiting in the rain. (Photo/Bill Ryan)

(Photo/Nancy Lally)

View from a parade car — a 1960 Mercedes Benz, driven by Scott Bennewitz. (Photo/Kathie Motes Bennewitz)

Mike Boyle, Karen Como and Ann Becker Moore.

Color Guard (Photo/Jay Dirnberger)

Long Lots Girl Scouts Troop 50999. (Photo/Melissa Salottolo)

(Photo/Pat Saviano)

Grayson Braun and her father Conrad. He served as a US Army Captain in the 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest distinction for gallantry in combat. He comes from his home in Texas every year to honor Memorial Day here. (Photo/Jamie Walsh)