Introduction
The Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade will take place Saturday, May 24, 2025 stepping off at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Day Ceremony in front of First Church of Christ immediately following the parade.
- This year's theme is "Military 250 - Honoring Army, Navy and Marine Corps."
- The Memorial Day committee is once again requesting financial contributions for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities this year. We need your support! Any contribution will be deeply appreciated. Information can be obtained from and contributions made to:
- Town of Wethersfield - Memorial Day Celebration
- c/o Parks and Recreation Department
- 505 Silas Deane Highway
- Wethersfield, CT 06109
The Memorial Day Committee would like to encourage all residents to demonstrate their support for the veterans and our country by displaying the American Flag during the weekend.
Contact Information
If you are interested in marching in the 2025 Memorial Day Parade please complete and submit a Memorial Day Marcher Form.
For more information about the event e-mail the committee at memorial.day@wethersfieldct.gov.
Deceased Veterans Honor Roll
Roll of Honor
Sponsorship / Support
The Memorial Day and Veterans Day Committees would like to thank the Wethersfield business community, organizations and volunteers who have given their support and who are helping to make this year's events memorable. If you would like to consider helping us in any manner, please contact the committee at memorial.day@wethersfieldct.gov.
Memorial Day Ceremonies - NEW 2025
NEW THIS YEAR! The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place in front of First Church of Christ at approximately 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Day Address Speaker
In celebration of this year's theme of "Military 250 - Honoring Army, Navy and Marine Corps" we invited Lieutenant Colonel Eric Roy to be our Memorial Day Speaker.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Eric Roy serves as Commander of the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Connecticut Army National Guard.
LTC Roy has over 25 years of service to the CT National Guard including deployments in support of Operation Noble Eagle, and two overseas tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a Connecticut Guardsman, LTC Roy has also participated in numerous state emergency relief efforts including Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, Winter Storm Alfred in 2011, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Blizzard Juno of 2015 as well as the state’s COVID response.
LTC Roy is a graduate of numerous military schools including the Command and General Staff College, Inspector General School, Engineer Officer Captains Career Course, Engineer Officer Basic Course, and Officer Candidate School.
LTC Roy’s awards and decorations include:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Iraqi Campaign Medal
- Combat Action Badge
LTC Roy resides in Wethersfield Connecticut with his wife Carmela, his five children: Colton, Elyse, Valentina, Santino and Alessandro. He is active in his community, having dedicated time to coaching youth baseball and football, while currently serving as SDMS PAC President.
Parade Marshals
In celebration of this year's theme of "Military 250 - Honoring Army, Navy and Marine Corps" we invited three veterans to serve as parade marshals each respectively representing the 3 branches being honored.
This year's parade marshals are Thomas M. Mahar (Navy), Rafael Medina III (Marine Corps) and John P. Salvatore(Army).
Thomas M. Mahar (Navy)
Thomas M. Mahar graduated from the Vincentian Institute in Albany in 1952. He then went on to earn a B.S.in Economics from Siena College in 1956 and then a M.S. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Hartford in 1976.
On May 1, 1957 Thomas graduated from Naval Officer Candidate school and was commissioned to the USS Ensign.
From 1957-1958 Thomas served on the USS Pocono. In 1959 Thomas served as an instructor at the Navy Combat Information Center School. From 1960 thru 1978 Thomas served in the active reserve retiring in 1978 as a Commander in the US Navy.
Thomas worked for Travelers Insurance Company from 1960 – 1990 and retired as a second vice president. He then went on to serve as the Chief Operating Officer at B. Perkins Insurance Company from 1991-2001 and Executive in Residence and Director at the Leadership Development Center at the University in Bridgeport from 2002-2012.
Thomas’s professional designations include Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Certified Insurance Counselor.
In his spare time Thomas served on the Wethersfield Library Board, the Wethersfield Historical Society Board and Finance, the United Way of the Capital Area Board and Finance, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Xavier High School Board and Finance and the Church of the Incarnation Parish Council and Finance Council. From 2001-2012 Thomas served as a moderator at the pools and from 2013-present he participates in absentee ballot counting. One of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities that Thomas participated in was from 2015-2020 when he visited Veterans in Masonicare Hospice Care. He presented veterans with certificates of services and flag pins. Today Thomas is an active members of the American Legion Post 23 where is servs as the chaplain and the 4th Degree of Knights of Columbus.
Thomas has lived in Wethersfield for 58 years and was married for 53 years to his beloved Flora who passed in 2012. Flora and Thomas together raised their 3 children Mary, Maggie (who passed in 2015) and Brian (and his wife Liz).
Rafael Medina III (Marines)
Rafael Medina, III, has been the Chief of Police of the Wethersfield, Connecticut Police Department since November 2021. His previous service includes Assistant Chief of Police with the Hartford, Connecticut Police Department from 2018- 2021, posts with the Connecticut State Police as a Commanding Officer-Lieutenant of Troop K in Colchester, Connecticut, from 2016 to 2018, Commanding Officer-Lieutenant of the Central District Major Crime Unit from 2015- 2016, previously serving as the Unit’s Supervisor-Sergeant from 2014-2015. Other Connecticut State Police positions from 1997-2014 included service as a Sergeant in Professional Standards-Internal Affairs, Sergeant Troop H, Major Crime Detective, Community Development Trooper, and Patrol Trooper. He also previously served as a Patrol Officer with the Southern Connecticut State University Police Department from 1996-1997. His military background includes service as a Rifleman (E-4, Corporal) with the United States Marine Corps/Reserves from 1990-1998.
Chief Medina holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sacred Heart University, and Graduate Certificates in Homeland Security Management from the University of Saint Joseph and Police Executive Leadership Development from the University of Louisville. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute (SPI) 145th Administrative Officers Course (AOC), a member of the Southern Police Institute Alumni Association (SPIAA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA).
He is the recipient of the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal, Connecticut State Police Meritorious Service Medal, Life-Saving Medal, Outstanding Service Medal, numerous Unit Citation with the Connecticut State Police, and the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.
John P. Salvatore (Army)
John Salvatore enlisted in the United States Coast Guard April 17, 1972. After completing basic training he was assigned to the United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard in Washington, DC. While serving in the ceremonial honor guard he participated in President Nixon’s second inaugural parade, the state funerals for both President Johnson and President Truman in addition to ceremonies at the White House, the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.
John was then promoted to Quartermaster 3rd Class and reassigned to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Courageous where his missions were Search and Rescue and Drug Interdiction.
After completing his enlistment John returned to Connecticut. In April 1976 he enlisted in the CT Army National Guard Company B 1st 169th Infantry in West Hartford. He participated in Army Schools that focused on: Basic Infantry, Officer Candidate, Officer Leader, Combined Arms and Services, Command and General Staff, and Military Police.
John’s final assignment was with the 192nd Military Police Battalion for the 143rd Military Police Company. John retired on December 31, 2010 as a Major of the United State Army.
John worked for the Wethersfield Police Department for 20 years as a police officer as well as spending 20 years at the CT DMV doing commercial driver testing and inspections.
John has been a 47 year resident of Wethersfield. His wife Pamela, who he has been married to for 39 years, have 4 children.
Essay Contest
Silas Deane Middle School students participated in this year's Dan Camilliere Memorial Day essay contest themed "Military 250 - Honoring Army, Navy and Marine Corps."
This year's winners are Georgia Evans and Garrett Scalercio.
2025 Winning Essays
memorial Day posters
This year's Memorial Day posters, which are displayed on the first floor of Town Hall, were created by students in Grades 3-6 at Webb Elementary School.
Flags of Appreciation
In recognition of all veterans, the GFWC/CT of Newington/Wethersfield Womens Club, a member of the General Federation of Womens Clubs, will be displaying a "Flags of Appreciation" to honor our veterans. A series of flags will be displayed in front of the Hurlburt-Dunham house at 212 Main Street during the weekend as a thank you to all our Veterans and members of our Armed Forces.
Information for Marchers for 2025
Marcher General Information
Line of March
NEW Parade Route 2025
The parade will have a new route in 2025! The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. and will head west on State Street to Nott Street then to Garden Street. It will then proceed down Garden Street, cross over Church Street and turn left onto Main Street. The Reviewing Stand will be at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street. The parade will end at Hartford Avenue. The Memorial Day Parade Ceremony will take place at the intersection of Main Street and Marsh Street on the grass in front of First Church of Christ.
Parking 2025
Parking for spectators will be available throughout the parade route. Spectators may also park on any residential street not marked by "no parking" signs. Parking for marchers will be available at the Department of Motor Vehicle on State Street rear lot. The rear parking lot of the DMV will also be available for buses to park during the parade.
Street Closings 2025
Below is a list of street closings and approximate times they will be closed. (All times listed below are approximate.)
- State Street (entire length) - 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
- Nott Street (from Garden Street to State Street) - 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Garden Street (from Nott Street to Main Street) - 8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- Main Street (from Garden Street to Hartford Avenue) - 8:30 am - 11:00 a.m.
- Marsh Street (from Broad Street to Main Street) - 8:30 am - 11:00 a.m.
- Church Street (from Willard Street to Main Street) - 7:00 am - 11:00 a.m.
In addition, the following streets will be posted with temporary "No Parking" signs:
- State Street: From Hartford Avenue to Main Street - both sides
- Nott Street: Around the Dan Camilliere Green at Hartford Avenue & Nott Street; from Hartford Avenue to Garden Street –both sides
- Nott Street: Between State Street & Garden Street - both sides
- Nott Street/ State State Intersection
- Nott Street: From Garden Street to railroad tracks – both sides
- Garden Street: Nott Street to Main Street- both sides
- Main Street: From Garden Street to Hart Street – both sides
Rain Plans
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be moved indoors to Wethersfield High School and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The latest information will be announced on the Parks and Recreation Department program information line at (860) 721-2890. An announcement will also be posted in the announcements area of the home page of the town web site.