Thousands marching in Veterans Parade in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Veterans, politicians and school marching bands were among thousands of people who marched in the Connecticut Veterans Parade in Hartford.

Sunday's festivities kicked off with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch. The parade began at about 12:30 p.m. near the state Capitol.

Event organizers say it's the largest veterans parade in New England and one of the largest in the country.

The grand marshal was Lt. Col. Michael Zacchea of Brookfield, a veteran of the Marines who is director of veterans' outreach and support at the University of Connecticut's Graduate School of Business.

Among the nearly 4,000 marchers was Flight Officer Connie Nappier Jr. of New Britain, an Army Air Corps veteran who served in the legendary Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.