New Haven observes Memorial Day

(5/10/2006) Several events are scheduled in New Haven on Sunday, May 28, to commemorate the 138th anniversary of the observance of Memorial Day.

At 1 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Long Wharf, a ceremony will be held featuring guest speaker Vietnam veteran, Col. (Ret.) William Coffey, followed by the placement of wreaths by the memorial by veterans’ organizations. The New Haven Green will be the site for the 3 p.m. ceremony that will include remarks by Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and the featured speaker, another Vietnam veteran, Giacomo Mordente, Director of Veterans’ Affairs at Southern Connecticut University. The ceremony will conclude with the placement of wreaths at the War Memorial.

The final event of the day will be a 5 p.m. free family Memorial Day concert of patriotic and Americana music at the Shubert Theater performed by Orchestra New England under the direction of James Sinclair. Tickets are required and may be obtained by sending a stamped, self addressed envelope to: New Haven Memorial Day Concert, City of New Haven, 165 Church St., 06510, Attn: Patricia Lawlor. Ticket stubs will validate free parking at the municipal garage, corner of College and Crown streets.