Share

The Connecticut Veterans Parade, New England's largest veterans parade, drew thousands of observers as it marched through the streets of Hartford on Sunday, Nov. 3.

According to Military Times, 3,000 Connecticut veterans of all ages marched in the parade, including members of Legion and VFW posts and drum corps. 

While the event is popular now, it did not always draw a crowd. The town hosted a lightly attended parade until 1990, when the celebration was canceled. In 2000, locals decided that the area needed a tribute to soldiers in their life after service and reinstated the event as the Metro Hartford Parade. Within a year, servicemembers throughout the entire state wanted the opportunity to participate, reported the Hartford Courant. 

According to the Hartford Courant, this year's grand marshal was Adm. Melvin G. Williams Jr. Though he is now retired, he spent over 30 years serving in the Navy. The honorary grand marshals were Lt. Col. Lesbia Nieves, the first Latina to earn the title of lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard, former Army Lt. Mark R. Shenkman and Sgt. 1st Class Alex W. Seretny, who has served over 30 months overseas since 2006.  

The parade totaled 1.3 miles and started with a ceremony that honored Connecticut's fallen veterans.