This past weekend, Rep. O’Neill was proud to participate in the Bridgewater, Southbury and Washington Memorial Day parades, alongside some distinguished veterans and municipal leaders. Rep. O’Neill joined the communities in remembering their fallen veterans and showing appreciation for their service.
Rep. O’Neill participates in the Bridgewater Memorial Day Parade beside wounded Vietnam veteran Jaak Owlek and First Selectman Bill Stewart.
Rep. O’Neill rides in the Bridgewater Memorial Day Parade.
Memorial Day was officially celebrated as Decoration Day for the first time three years after the end of the Civil War. Many local celebrations had been held before then, but it was Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, leader of a Union veterans’ organization, who issued a proclamation and arranged the first official ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868.
Rep. O’Neill speaks at the Southbury Memorial Day Parade. Listening to his remarks behind him is Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson.
Rep. O’Neill reads the Governor’s Proclamation, with MC Harmon Andrews of VFW 1607 and Guest Speaker Major Parker.
While many states held their own observances for years, Memorial Day was not declared a national holiday until 1971, when an act of Congress scheduled it on the last Monday in May and designated it as a day of thanks and remembrance for fallen veterans of all wars.
Rep. O’Neill stands beside a 1930 Ford Model A, which he rode in for the Washington Memorial Day Parade.
Rep. O’Neill shakes hands with a retired Washington, CT Marine.
Rep. O’Neill rides in the Washington Memorial Day Parade in a 1930 Ford Model A.
Rep. O’Neill stands in front of Bryan Town Hall in Washington.
