Bill Appleby, Commander of American Legion Post 41, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies of Old Lyme's Annual Memorial Day observance on May 30, according to a news release.

A grand parade will start promptly at 11 a.m. at the Lyme Street Fire Station and will proceed via Lyme Street and McCurdy Road to the Duck River Cemetery for a memorial service. Chaplain Mervin F. Roberts, Chaplain of Old Lyme Fire Department, will offer an invocation and benediction.

Following the program, the parade will reform and return to the fire station where refreshments will be available.

The winners of an essay contest on "What Memorial Day Means to Me" will read their essays as part of the cemetery program. The Lyme-Old Lyme High School Band, New London Firefighters Pipes and Drums and a Rifle Squad from the Connecticut Army National Guard will participate.

Returning for this year's celebration are the Lyme and Old Lyme Fire Departments, a contingent from the Connecticut National Guard and music provided by the Lyme-Old Lyme High School and Middle School Bands along with Deep River Senior Drum Crops and the New London Firefighters Pipes and Drums. A number of marching units representing local civic groups from Lyme, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook will also participate.

Parade participants are asked to report to the fire station not later than 10:30 a.m. for assignment to positions in the line of march which will form on the access road behind the fire station.

The Memorial Day observance is sponsored by the Old Lyme Fire Department with financial support from the town of Old Lyme. In the event of rain, the parade will be canceled and a ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the Middle School Auditorium, followed by refreshments at the Lyme Street Fire Station.