Monroe Honors Military Veterans in a Ceremony on the Green

Saturday's rain gave way to bright sunshine on a hot Sunday afternoon when Monroe celebrated Memorial Day with its annual parade and ceremony. Enthusiastic crowds cheered on town veterans, officials, safety personnel and community groups along the parade route on Route 111.

This year's theme was "Honoring Our Heroes" Past and Present.

First Selectman Steve Vavrek mingled with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-21) amongst the crowd that gathered on Fan Hill Road after the parade.

"I thought it was a nice turnout," Vavrek said. "It seemed like we had more people this year. The weather held up, so people came out. Obviously, this day is about the veterans. I walked up to them to thank them. Hopefully, people remember that it's all about the veterans and not just a parade."

Blumenthal said, "This is one of the best parades in the state. There's great support excitement and patriotism — a real sense of community. You see the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the lacrosse team ... and it's reflected in the crowd."

L. David York served as Master of Ceremonies during a solemn gathering at the war memorial in front of Monroe Town Hall. The invocation and Benediction was given by The Reverend Kurt J. Huber of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

Speakers included Blumenthal, Vavrek and State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-112). (Individual videos are included with this article).

Bernie Sippin, a longtime resident, told the crowd about two Monroe soldiers who did not make it home while serving in World War II, David Winspur and Sippin's own brother, Victor.

"We have a few World War II veterans left, just a handful," Sippin said. "They're dying at a rate of 850 a day as we speak."

Sippin said it's important to honor those veterans who are still here and he took the opportunity to introduce two from Monroe, Charlie Cornut, 92, and Arnold R. Engle, 88 (See the Video). Both served in the Army, Cornut from 1941-45 and Engle from '43 to '45.

During the war served in the South Pacific. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 62 while growing up in town and went on to be a volunteer firefighter.

Engle served in the 3rd Armor Division in the European Theater. He joined the Stepney Volunteer Fire Department in 1950, holding several ranks including assistant chief. He is still a member.

"I was county treasurer for 23 years," Engle said, adding with a smile, "I kept them all honest."

Masuk High School junior, Andrew Salzano, sang the Star Spangled Banner and America The Beautiful, then the American Flag that flies in front of Town Hall was lowered to half-mast.

Jerome Rookasin was the parade's Honorary Chairman and served on the 2012 Memorial Day Parade Committee with Vavrek, Marsha Beno, James Bifulco, Kevin Daly, Ray Ganser, Police Lt. Brian McCauley, Richard Michel, Bernard Sippin, Vida Stone and Bob Tranzillo.