PHOTO — Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, kneels beside the granite Army insignia marker Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park. Jackson, an Army vet who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66, will lead the 2017 Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29. Jackson was selected to lead this year’s parade, but it was canceled due to rain. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) WEST HAVEN, Jan. 3, 2017 — Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, will serve at the helm of the 2017 Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29. Jackson was originally selected by the West Haven Veterans Council to lead this year’s parade, but it was canceled due to rain. Jackson, 72, an Army vet who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66 during the Vietnam War era, will steer the procession of veterans, dignitaries and bands along the mile-long parade course, which begins at Captain Thomas Boulevard and flows up Campbell Avenue to Center Street. He was tapped by the Veterans Council, which helps the city organize the annual parade, for his years of service to the Army, his fellow vets and his community, the latter of which is perhaps the cornerstone of the qualifications for grand marshal, council President Dave Ricci said. Stay here for more details. — MICHAEL P. WALSH, Public Relations Information Coordinator