The theme for this year's Memorial Day Parade is "Honor Their Sacrifice," and the parade committee is urging residents to help commemorate the many Americans who died for their country in this time of war.

The committee also strongly encourages all groups, as many as possible, to prepare floats for the parade. These floats should be themed to show support for all of the United States military services.

The parade will include Wilton School Bands, and the Pyramid Shriner Bagpipe Band, which has been secured by committee member, Glenn Shattuck, the "Town Piper." Organizations which have not participated in the past, are encouraged to make this year their first appearance in one of Wilton's most memorable yearly events. For an application, please call 563-0100.

As in previous years, the parade route will begin at 21 River Road, and proceed from the Wilton Center up past the Old Town Hall and the Congregational Church, ending up at the Hillside Cemetery, where veterans living and deceased will be honored by speeches, music and song. Groups who have previously participated and contributed to this traditional Memorial Day event will shortly be receiving invitations and applications.

The Honorary Chairman will be First Selectman William Brennan, who served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. The Chairman of the Parade Planning Committee is Jeffrey Turner, a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, who served as Surface Warfare Officer and Helicopter Control Officer onboard the battleship U.S.S. Iowa from 1986 to 1990.

The Grand Marshall for this year's Memorial Day Parade will be Ron Toothaker, also a member of the parade committee, who was chairman last year. Toothaker was as a major in the U.S. Army, and served as a Combat Infantryman with the U.S. Army's Special Forces during the Vietnam War.

When announcing the committee's plans for the Memorial Day Parade, First Selectman Bill Brennan, the honorary chairman of the event, pointed out that there is a need for parade funding by local businesses or individuals.

"This parade is not funded by the town," he said. "It has to be self supporting, and we accordingly invite and encourage donations to help this event happen."

Donated funds will go towards the piper Band, special security, refreshments, and portable conveniences. Donation checks should be made out to the Wilton Memorial Day Parade Committee and mailed to: 238 Danbury, Road, Wilton, CT 06897.

In addition to Brennan and Turner, the members of this year's planning committee are Sharon Powers, Tom Briody, Gilbert Hauff, Don Klotz, Frank Maguire, Judd Mott, Glenn Shattuck, Karen Strickland, Ron Toothaker, Jeffrey Turner, and Bing Ventres.