The tradition started almost 90 years ago and has continued with few interruptions ever since.

Frank Lathrop remembers watching the Montville Memorial Day Parade make its way down Maple Avenue in the 1930s when he was a child. There was a time when the parade was little more than children with doll carriages and bikes, according to Frank’s wife Carol; and of course servicemen, according to Frank.

The parade has since grown. The promenade now skips local streets in favor of Route 32, where it ends at either Comstock or St. Patrick’s cemeteries. The number of floats is greater and the floats themselves grander. A number of bands – of the fife and drum, pipe, and marching varieties – contribute their thumping beats.

What has remained a consistent element is the parade’s purpose: honoring veterans.

“We’re honoring those that served and basically those that made the supreme sacrifice,” said Frank, adding, “and their families.”

For the Lathrops, the parade is a family affair. Frank’s mother and aunt were members of the American Legion Auxiliary. The Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in the past organized the parade, and now offer refreshments and fund some bands at the parade – which is now organized by Carol and funded by the town. Carol, executive director of Montville Housing Authority, said she took over the role of organizer in 1982.

Frank himself is a veteran, having fought in the Korean War, his brother in World War II and his uncle in World War I. It was veterans of the Great War who marched in the first renditions of what has become a town tradition. Carol said the parade began in the 1920s – she thinks in 1927.

The 1986 parade, which Carol said was the year of Montville’s bicentennial celebration, held the float that most sticks out in her mind to this day – a Disney-themed Make a Wish Foundation float that featured the work of renowned painter and sculptor A. Vonn Hartung.

This year’s parade is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Prior to the parade, at noon, a wreath laying ceremony will be held at Town Hall. The parade will follow Route 32 from Raymond Hill Road to Depot Road, ending at Comstock Cemetery. The parade ends with a ceremony at the cemetery and the playing of Taps.

Carol said she expects the parade lineup to be similar to last year’s lineup. Local officials, fire companies, area bands, school groups, military and police organizations and youth groups will likely participate, she said.

Town Historian Jon Chase said setting a parade date for the week before Memorial Day has been a practice for about 40 years. The scheduling was originally meant to prevent confrontation with motorcyclists riding in the Memorial Run, previously known as “Pappy’s Run,” a motorcycle ride that commemorates Montville’s Donald “Pappy” Pittsley.

Pittsley, buried at Comstock Cemetery, was a prominent voice of opposition to a proposed law to require motorcyclists wear helmets. He was also known for fighting for the rights of motorcycle riders. Chase describes him as a bit of a folk hero for motorcyclists.

Carol said involvement in the parade has grown over the years thanks to “the people of the Town of Montville,” who she said show great appreciation for veterans and current service members.

“And so they’ve continued to nourish the parade,” she said.

t.townsend@theday.com

Twitter: @ConnecticuTess

If you go:

Wreath laying ceremony, noon Sunday, Town Hall

Parade, 1 p.m., starts at Raymond Hill Road and Route 32, then follows Route 32 to Comstock Cemetery for a ceremony in commemoration of veterans, including the playing of Taps.