Notice: VFW Plans Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony [UPDATED]

[Note: This article has been updated with new information regarding the parade and fundraising efforts of the local VFW.]

The Town of New Canaan and the Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are pleased to announce plans for a traditional New Canaan Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30th, and Memorial Day Ceremony following the parade at Lakeview Cemetery.

Each year we gather to remember with gratitude and honor the proud men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces to protect and preserve a life of freedom for all Americans.

All residents are invited to attend the parade and ceremony.

This year’s parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church on Oenoke Ridge Road and returns to its former route on lower Main Street.

This year, the VFW selected V. Donald Hersam, the longtime publisher of the New Canaan Advertiser, life-long New Canaan resident and Korean War veteran, to act as the parade’s Grand Marshall.

Graduating from New Canaan High School in 1948, Mr. Hersam attended University of Connecticut for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Hornet from 1954-1958 in the Pacific. Mr. Hersam returned to New Canaan and resumed working for the New Canaan Advertiser, the newspaper his grandfather, John, founded. Mr. Hersam worked in advertising for his father who was publisher at the time. In addition, he joined New Canaan Fire Co. No. 1, becoming its Chief in 1967 and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Board, became a Corporator of the New Canaan Savings Bank and a member of the Poinsettia Club. Later he was elected to the now New Canaan Museum and Historical Society. Mr. Hersam was appointed town Treasurer in 1963 and served in that position for 48 years. His favorite experience in that role was signing the two checks necessary for the town to acquire Waveny Park. Mrs. Ruth Lapham Lloyd generously turned over her 300 acres in exchange for $1,500,000.

Mr. Hersam was married to Jeanne O’Rourke Hersam for over 60 years, who passed away in 2021, they have four children and eight grandchildren. They lived a full happy life of faith, family and golf.

The VFW Post is led by Francis “Mike” McGlinn as Commander. Serving with him are Russ Kimes, Senior Vice Commander, Aaron Hall, Junior Vice Commander, John McLane, Quartermaster, and Brian Van der Heyden, Chaplin. The Post meets at the Masonic Lodge at 231 Main Street.

Mr. McGlinn, who served as an Artillery Officer during the Vietnam War, commented “It is an honor to serve as Commander of the New Canaan VFW Post, a small group of combat veterans, dedicated to honoring all veterans in the New Canaan community. This year we should also especially remember the thirteen servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty during the tragic withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan.

Everyone is welcome to join the VFW after parade for a solemn ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery.

The keynote speaker for the Memorial Day ceremony is Captain John Kowalski. Captain Kowalski lives in Wilton, with his wife Brittney and their two children, Olivia and John Jr. Captain Kowalski has held numerous roles during his time in the Army National Guard, including Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Special Forces Detachment Commander. In 2019 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, and commanded a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha. He continues to serve part time in the National Guard and maintains a civilian career with JP Morgan Chase. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Military Free Fall Badge.

Rev. Dr. R. Scott Herr, Pastor/Head of Staff at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan, will offer Invocation and Benediction at the ceremony.

Members of the Exchange Club will march before the parade starts and hand out American flags. The club also has a fife & drum group. Other marching bands will include the New Canaan High School Band, Vista Fire Department Bagpipers and New Canaan Town Band. NCHS student Michael Mank is the bugler who will play “Taps” at the ceremony.

Here’s the line of March:

1. Color Guard
2. Grand Marshal 
3. Veterans 
4. VFW Honored Unit – New Canaan Health Department 
5. Town Officials and Clergy
6. Board of Education 
7. Police Department
8. US Naval Sea Cadets Corps 
9. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 
10. New Canaan Historical Society
11. League of Women Voters LWV 
12. Girl Scouts & Brownies & Daisies 
13. Knights of Columbus 
14. Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts 
15. New Canaan EMS 
16. Mount Kisco Scottish Bagpipers 
17. Fire Department
18. Vista Fire Department 
19. CERT – Community Emergency Response Team 
20. New Canaan Mounted Troop 
21. New Canaan High School Band 
22. New Canaan Baseball 
23. New Canaan Softball 
24. School of Rock 
25. Staying Put in New Canaan 
26. New Canaan Beautification League 
27. GetAbout Van 
28. Waveny Lifecare Network 
29. New Canaan Men’s Club
30. Newcomers Club 
31. Town of New Canaan Department of Public Works (DPW) 

In the event of heavy rain, a parade cancelation notice will be posted on the Town website at www.newcanaan.info. In the event of parade cancelation, a Memorial Ceremony will be conducted at Town Hall at 10 a.m.

***

VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Flag Placing at Lakeview Cemetery

Volunteers are wanted to assist VFW Post 653 in New Canaan place new flags at the graves of fallen soldiers in their honor for Memorial Day. All are welcome to participate on Saturday, May 28, from 8am to 10am at the Lakeview Cemetery on Main Street in New Canaan. Please gather at the lower Veterans section (from the Millport Avenue/Main Street entrance, over the bridge and straight forward). Refreshments will be served.

The VFW’s efforts are funded soley by private donations. Post 653 uses fundraising proceeds to pay for flags and wreaths that are laid on Memorial Day and during the Christmas season on veterans’ graves at Lakeview and other cemeteries in New Canaan. The organization will gladly accept donations at the flag-placing at 8 a.m. Saturday in Lakeview Cemetery.

Donations to the New Canaan VFW (a 501(c)3 non-profit) can be made via check to:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 653
P.O. BOX 653
New Canaan, CT 06840

Or use the following link to Donate:
https://vfwpost653.square.site