The United States Military Academy Parachute Team will parachute onto Wasson Field at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 during the city’s weekend-long salute to local veterans.
“The City of Milford is honored to have the USMA Black Knights Parachute Team participate in our Veterans Day Ceremony,” said Paul Piscitelli, recreation director. “The Black Knights demonstration will be an exciting way to kick off the Veterans Day Parade.”
On Saturday
To start the weekend the Milford’s 375th Anniversary Committee will host Red, White and Blues: A Salute to Veteran’s on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lisman’s Landing from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., culminating with a fireworks display over the harbor.
Saturday’s celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with Mayor Ben Blake leading the Living Veterans Scroll. Every 30 minutes, members of the community will recite names of living veterans and share a personal story. The names will scroll throughout the day for all to see.
“The day is meant to honor those who have served, have a ton of fun, give back to those in need, and kick off the parade on Sunday,” said Committee Chairman Bob Gregory.
The Storehouse Food Pantry of Milford, in partnership with The Connecticut Food Bank, will collect non-perishable food items throughout the day to provide to veterans and others in need in the Milford area.
Food trucks will be available starting at noon, including MeltMobile, Fryborg, Lobstercraft, Lil NoRA Cupcake Truck and Firehouse Grill, and beverages will be available through Two Roads Brewery. Musical entertainment will be provided by local blues bands, Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts and Mike Law and the Playboys.
Kid-centered activities will include “Touch-a-Truck” with a military vehicle courtesy of Troy Lagasse, as well as Americana face painting by Jammie the Gentle Clown. There also will be a cornhole tournament at noon, coordinated by the City of Milford Recreation Department. Registration is open on the Milford city website.
For more details on any of the events visit milfordct375.org or call 203-783-3230.
On Sunday
The USMA Parachute Team will parachute into Wasson Field at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The annual Veterans Day Parade will start at 2 p.m., stepping off from the Parson’s Complex and making its way through downtown to the green.
The Milford Concert Band, under the direction of Duane Berge, will present “Red Shirts for Veterans Salute” in conjunction with the mayor’s office at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Milford City Hall.
Several members of the Milford Concert Band are military veterans.
Stratford baritone horn player Ernie Dunn served as a sonar operator in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War.
Milford baritone player Jim Winkelman served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1953, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri during the Korean War;
Milford baritone player Dick Platt served in the 7th Fleet of the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959 in the years between the Korean and Vietnam wars; and Monroe saxophonist Dr. Art Salman served as a clinical psychologist in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1966 at the start of the Vietnam War.
Milford Concert Band alumni Joe Stokely is currently serving with the Sixth Fleet submarine corp.
The concert is free and open to the public. The Milford Concert Band is the official community band for the City of Milford.