BELLOWS FALLS-Lieutenant General Todd Semonite (retired) has been named the grand marshal for the 2025 Bellows Falls Alumni Parade, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 15.
A proud member of the Class of 1975, his graduating class was the first to attend Bellows Falls Union High School for all four years and remains one of the most active float-building classes in alumni history, according to organizers. A Bellows Falls native, Semonite was deeply involved in school activities, sports teams, Boy Scouts, and community service.
After high school, Semonite attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated as a civil engineer in 1979. His distinguished 41-year military career included multiple leadership roles in the Army, culminating in his 2020 retirement.
He is currently the president of a major international architecture and engineering firm supporting U.S. Department of Defense, FEMA, and Veterans Administration construction projects worldwide.
During high school, Semonite participated in football, skiing, and tennis for all four years. He was also an active member of the band, head of the Student Council, and Senior Class President. His classmates remain dedicated float-builders, and Semonite has cherished memories of their graduation float, which began a long tradition of class and alumni association support - creating 49 floats over 49 parades.
He was honored with the 1975 Alumni Award at graduation, and he credits his parents, teachers, and mentors for guiding him through the admissions process to West Point.
Over four decades, Semonite served in command and staff positions, rising from second lieutenant to three-star general. His assignments took him across the globe.
When Semonite was growing up, his parents built a large house on North Ridge Road. He would help with construction on the weekends and summers. As he and Connie, his wife, visited his parents over the 41 years traveling around the world, the home got to be a landing spot where they enjoyed Bellows Falls and the holidays with family.
Bill and Jeanne Semonite moved to be with Todd's sister Susan in Mebane, North Carolina, in 2008. The house was sold, fell into disrepair, and went back on the market in spring 2014. Todd and Connie bought the house without telling his parents. Just before a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in the summer of 2014, they brought his parents to the house for a surprise visit to see the house, neighbors, and friends.
The entire family continues to visit the house routinely as a vacation home and are proud that their parents died knowing the house will remain in the family forever.
Semonite and Connie, married for 43 years, have four children and 11 grandchildren. He remains engaged in class reunion activities and is excited to celebrate the 50th reunion dinner and to continue his longstanding tradition of supporting the Alumni Association and Alumni float-building.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.