Mansfield Memorial Day Parade, Cemetery Ceremony Set For May 25

MANSFIELD, CT — Mansfield will observe Memorial Day 2026 on Monday, May 25, with a morning parade in Mansfield Center followed by a ceremony at the New Mansfield Center Cemetery.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Route 195 and Bassetts Bridge Road in Mansfield Center. The procession will travel north on Route 195, turn onto Cemetery Road and continue to the New Mansfield Center Cemetery. State Police will briefly stop traffic along Route 195 to accommodate the parade.

A ceremony will follow at the cemetery.

According to the town's announcement, the program will include an invocation and benediction by the Rev. Dennis Monroe Jr. of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield and the Pledge of Allegiance led by U.S. Navy veteran David Litrico. The ceremony will also include a tribute by U.S. Air Force veteran Dr. Carlita Cotton honoring Specialist Robert William Hoyt and a keynote address by U.S. Navy and Connecticut Army National Guard veteran Andrew Shetland.

Music for both the parade and ceremony will be provided by the Mansfield Middle School Band and the E.O. Smith High School Band. In honor of those who gave their lives in service, three volleys will be fired and Taps will be played at both the New Mansfield Center Cemetery and the Old Mansfield Cemetery.

Members of local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops will also take part in the observance. Scouts will place American flags on veterans' graves in advance of the ceremony.

The town is inviting all veterans and active-duty service members to march at the head of the parade. Participants are asked to gather on Bassetts Bridge Road at 8:30 a.m. Individuals with classic and vintage vehicles are also welcome to join the procession.

If there is inclement weather, an abbreviated ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. in the Mansfield Middle School gymnasium.