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Ridgefield Honors Fallen Soliders In Memorial Day Parade

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- The number of spectators stretched into the thousands on a crystal-clear Monday morning, as people packed a half-mile stretch of Main Street in Ridgefield to honor America's fallen veterans in the town's annual Memorial Day Parade.

Spectators watch Monday's Memorial Day parade in front of Ridgefield Town Hall.

Spectators watch Monday's Memorial Day parade in front of Ridgefield Town Hall.

Photo Credit: Eric Gendron

American flags flew as far as the eye could see, with dozens of veterans, firefighters, police officers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, marching bands and more parading from Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church to Ballard Park.

James and Josie Connelly led the parade as co-grand marshals, the first couple ever to be honored by the Ridgefield Memorial Day Parade. James was a Navy corpsman in World War II, and Josie was a nurse during the Korean War.

Heather Tibbitts, coach of the freshman girls lacrosse team at Ridgefield High, took her daughter Olivia, 3, to the parade for the first time.

"We're so excited," Tibbittis said. "We feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful town. It's such a great day, there's great energy here and we're just taking it all in."

Olivia said she was looking forward to the drums in the parade.

Several modern and antique fire trucks roared down the street, with sirens blaring. Floats made by St. Mary's School, Ridgefield Music & Arts Center, Boys & Girls Club, Woodcock Nature, Keeler Tavern and Wells Fargo also highlighted the route.

The parade is organized every year by the local American Legion Post 78. Bob Tulipani, who has been the parade coordinator for the past seven years, said eight bands and seven floats were featured in the parade.

A group of Revolutionary War re-enactors capped off the parade, firing replica muskets to the delight of the crowd. Ridgefield was the site of a Revolutionary War battle in April 1777, where Gen. Benedict Arnold fought back the British with several hundred regular troops and militia.

The parade began and ended with ceremonies commemorating soldiers from Ridgefield and nationwide who gave their lives in battle.

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