Speakers included Vietnam veteran Michael Fox, a past commander of Newington VFW; Bob Seiler, Kiwanis president elect; Rodney Mortensen, former Marine and former Newington mayor; Emcee Steve Parker, radio and TV personality; David Griffith, president of Newington Kiwanis; Iraq veteran Jay White, a counselor at the Hartford Vet Center for returned Iraq-Afghanistan veterans and World War II veteran Everett Weaver, past president of Newington Community television.
The Kiwanis Club hosts the event every year as one of its regular in a series of presentations throughout the year, said member Al Cohen.
"We're paying homage to veterans and looking forward to the Memorial Day parade," Cohen said.
All of the speakers paid tribute to the late Frank Zuraski and the late General John Carragher, who planned the parade for numerous years. Zuraski was involved in the effort for some 20 years and died in 1994 while helping prepare the site where the Iwo Jima Memorial now sits on the New Britain/Newington line. He was involved in that famous battle himself.
"Veterans causes were always close to his heart." Cohen said, adding that Zuraski often supporting the cause from his own wallet, claiming he had received an "anonymous" donation.
The speakers thanked those who have supported the parade but also urged businesses and the public to support the effort.
Seiler said the parade costs in excess of $10,000 each year. The costs come from a variety of factors including permits, the hiring of bands and other factors.
For the current fiscal year, the town raised its support of the parade from $2,500 to $5,000, which it kept for the 2009-2010 budget.
The rest comes from donations. While the parade this year is pretty well set, the committee takes this opportunity to ask for the public's support while it is on people's minds, Seiler said.
On Monday, the Kiwanis Club made a donation, as did some others including White. Dave Griffith, president of Kiwanis, presented Captain Mike Fox of parade committee with a $1,000 check donation from the Kiwanis Club of Newington from funds Kiwanis raised through the weekly Big K flea market.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 23. It will begin and Main Street and Robbins Avenue, proceed down Main Street and then to the Veterans Memorial Monument at Town Hall for a memorial service.
In addition to many veterans and veterans organizations, the parade will include military organizations, local emergency personnel, business, youth organizations such as little league, civic groups and many more.
It is not to late to be a part of the parade and anyone interested can e-mail rjseiler@att.net.
Donations can be made to:
Memorial Day Parade Committee
c/o CPT. Michael J. Fox (ret)
1901 Main St.
Newington CT 06111
or to
Newington Memorial Day Parade Committee,
c/o Webster Bank, Tom Guzo
1120 Main St., Newington, CT 06111.