Memorial Day observances were held yesterday.  In Danbury there will be wreath laying ceremonies, a short service at Germantown Fire House and a parade down Main Street.  Danbury Director of Veterans Affairs Patrick Waldron says ceremonies were held at 14 monument groups including ones dedicated to veterans of wars dating back to the Civil War.

After the parade the ceremony at Rogers Park features a reading of the names of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day, a rifle Salute and taps, played by members of the Danbury High School band.  The main speaker was Brookfield Police Chief Robin Montgomery, who is a Navy Cross recipient.

Governor Dannel Malloy was among the elected officials that marched down Main Street.  The parade theme was honoring the men and women who serve this country, remembering those who have died and displaying the American Flag. 

The traditional armed services jet fly over is going to be different this year.  Tom Casey, a Vietnam Veteran with the Air Force, owns a vintage plane that's stored at Danbury Airport and is providing the fly-over.  Military fly-overs were grounded this year because of sequestration.

As a tribute to the sacrifices of those who served in the Armed forces, a skydiving team from Blue Sky Ranch in New York parachuted into Rogers Park.

Bethel got a jump start on honoring veterans with ceremonies and a parade held last week to mark the occasion.  Bethel Patriotic Association President Skip Clapp says it's a tradition in town to celebrate the weekend before Memorial Day. 

In addition to wreath laying ceremonies, there was a parade.  There was a short ceremony in front of the municipal center that featured a keynote speech by Vietnam era Navy veteran Charles Weeks.  A breakfast held each year at the American Legion this year was served to nearly five dozen veterans.