The Memorial Day Parade Through The Eyes Of Local Veterans

Decoration Day was established in 1868 in upstate New York.  The tradition of decorating Civil War veterans' graves caught on, and eventually became a national holiday called Memorial Day.  Grand Army Republic commander-in-chief General  John A. Logan was instrumental in declaring Decoration Day a formal day of tribute.

What was originally a commemoration of fallen solders of the Civil War became a way of honoring soldiers killed in all American wars. The day has also come to mark the unofficial beginning of summer and a transition to outdoor activities, New England and Coastal.

The Mystic Memorial Day Parade, which starts at Bank Square and ends at the VFW Lodge, has a long tradition of speeches, flags, Boy Scouts, veterans, gunfire and food.  It’s not only a day to pay tribute, but also a time to take in a deep breath of blossom-filled air with thankfulness for our freedoms. 

The parade, organized by Bill Lewis and Skip Durant, was a much simpler event in past years, according to Mystic veteran Virgil Huntley, 95.   Huntley remembers eight surviving Civil War veterans lined up in Mystic as he marched in his first parade in 1921 at age 5, with the Mystic Academy students. 

“They gave us flags and we started from the GAR hall on Pearl Street in Mystic.  There was only one band, school children and some civil war veterans,” he says. “We marched across the river and they threw a wreath into the river made out of lilacs in honor of the naval officers.”

Huntley remembers the Mystic Bridge was originally cement, and was subsequently replaced with a metal grid.  Walking over the bridge presented a problem especially for women in heels, so the parade temporarily segued to the sidewalks for safe traveling.   

“The band serenaded Civil War veteran Amos Hancock on the way back from the cemetery. He would sit in his rocker on his porch with an overcoat on,”  Huntley recalls. “Then they took us back to the GAR hall for soda, ice cream, cake, pie and we thought that was wonderful.” 

Bill Lewis, parade organizer and military veteran said, “I remember marching with my dad when I was with the Sons of the American Legion. They would sing songs that went back to the Civil War.” 

The Memorial Day parade in comparison to days past is much more voluminous: more fire trucks, bands, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and spectators. 

Lewis took over the parade because he was compelled to do something for the community, and 20 years later, he’s looking to pass on the torch to the next generation.   He’s fearful the annual parade will vanish if a predecessor doesn’t step forward this year. 

“To the best of my knowledge, there’s always been a parade,” says Huntley.  “To not have one would be a huge loss, not just for the veterans but for everybody - after all it is a commemoration.”