Memorial Day Observances, a Farmington Tradition

As has been the historic tradition, there will be two Memorial Day parades in town on Monday, May 30.

This year, the Farmington parade will be first, forming at Garden Street and Farmington Avenue at 8 a.m., following the same route along Main Street as in past years and ending at the Riverside Cemetery for a memorial tribute. 

The Unionville parade will form on New Britain Avenue and South Main Street at 10 a.m. A press release from the Town of Farmington reports “the traditional routing in Unionville has changed. First, there will be a brief stop at the War Memorial on Main Street for wreath laying and secondly the parade will terminate at the Gazebo on Perry Street for traditional services (instead of the Hillside Cemetery).”

Asked “Why does Farmington have two parades?” Debbie Godiksen, a librarian at the Main Library, explained “up until 1947, Unionville and Farmington were two separate boroughs which had always maintained separate cemeteries and war memorials. The practice of honoring the war dead at both locations continued even after the two boroughs were combined.”

Lorren Pogson, commander of VFW Post 1036 will be the featured speaker at the Farmington parade. Asked to speak on the true meaning of the day, Pogson replied: “This day is meant for us to hear the voices of our fallen soldiers, to bring them alive again through our memories. Let them not be forgotten. Look inside of ourselves and touch upon the selflessness which rests next to compassion, in the depths of our soul.”

A recent change is the VFW’s involvement with the American Legion Hanrahan Post in organizing and executing the Unionville Parade. The VFW became involved in 2010, and, “we are doing things a little differently and hope that the changes enhance the safety and enjoyment of the crowd,” said Pogson.

“The American Legion Palache Post has always run the parade in Farmington center,” explained Legion Commander Barry Martin. An Air Force veteran who used to fly A10s over the Farmington parade. Martin said this year there will be a flyover of a C21, “the military version of a Leer jet.”

“I have always thought the Farmington parades were a touching combination of remembrance, tradition and community, and I am happy to be part of them,” Martin added.

The national observance of Memorial Day began with General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868: “The 30th day of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades, who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every City, Village, and hamlet, church yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

“The VFW is always seeking more recruits,” Pogson added. “After the Memorial Day Parade, all are welcome to attend a brief ceremony at the Town Hall, where VFW Post 10361 will have membership cards in hand for anyone interested.”

VFW Post 10361 meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Farmington Community Center. All veterans of overseas conflicts are encouraged to attend meetings and join the organization.