(Norwalk, Conn.) Today, May 26, 2022, the City of Norwalk announced several upcoming events to honor our veterans during and following Memorial Day Weekend. Beginning Monday, May 30 at 10:00 AM, Norwalk will host its annual Memorial Day Parade. On Tuesday, May 31, at 1:30 PM, the City will welcome the arrival of the tractor-trailer hauling The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington DC. Finally, on Thursday, June 2, at 6:00 PM, the City will conduct the Opening Ceremony for The Wall That Heals to formally open the exhibit which will run through 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 5. Below is further information about each event.
Norwalk's Annual Memorial Day Parade:
Date: Monday, May 30, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Details: The annual parade will begin at 10:00 AM at Veterans Park and ends at the Town Green on East Avenue. The parade theme is Honor Our Veterans - Support Our Troops. The City plans to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States’ armed forces. Additionally, the C-130 airplane is scheduled to fly over the parade route around 10:30 AM, courtesy of the 103rd Airlift Wing/118 Airlift Squadron of the CT Air National Guard. Learn more here https://norwalkvets.org/events/#memorial-day.
Welcoming the Arrival of the Tractor Trailer Hauling the Wall That Heals, a Replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial:
Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Time: 1:30 – 2:00 PM.
Location: Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Details: The City invites the public to celebrate the arrival of the tractor-trailer hauling The Wall That Heals, a ¾ scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. The trailer will be led by a motorcycle escort made up of members of the state Legion Riders, VFW Riders, and motorcycle police officers from around the state.
Norwalk was selected as a stop on the national tour of the preeminent exhibit of a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The City of Norwalk originally applied in 2019 for the 2020 tour, only to have that tour get canceled due to COVID-19. Norwalk reapplied in 2021 for the 2022 tour. They were the first city to apply for the 2022 tour.
Most Vietnam Veterans are now in their 70s and 80s. This event is being organized by the Military & Veterans Liaison Committee on behalf of the City.
There are 614 Connecticut residents on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall with 157 of them from Fairfield County. This exhibit is a county-wide exhibit and beyond, and Norwalk has the honor of being the host city.
The Opening Ceremony for The Wall That Heals:
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM.
Location: Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Details: The opening ceremony for The Wall That Heals is an opportunity for the City of Norwalk to formally open the exhibit to the public. The exhibit will be in Norwalk and open to the public through 2:00 PM. on Sunday afternoon, June 5. The exhibit will be open 24 hours each day and is free.
The opening ceremony will include a standard military and veteran-related event schedule with the National Anthem and comments made by local clergy and Norwalk Mayor, Harry Rilling. The ceremony will also include remarks from Joseph S. Kendy Jr., the Chairman of The Wall That Heals Norwalk Committee and Robin L. Montgomery of Brookfield, Connecticut, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the recipient of the Navy Cross, the 2nd highest medal awarded for service in direct combat with the enemy, and the Purple Heart Medal. Members of Brien McMahon High School Music Department will also participate in the ceremony. Towards the end of the ceremony, a “Parade of Wreaths” will take place where local veterans and civic organizations will have the opportunity to lay a wreath on the wall.
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