Memorial Day Events in Rhode Island 2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

GoLocalProv Features Team

 

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Wreath-layings and remembrance mark the weekend's activities honoring Rhode Island's veterans.

While this long weekend brings the promise of summer fun, it is also an important pause in the American consciousness when we consider the men and women who have died while in military service.

First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers in the aftermath of the Civil War, Memorial Day was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

In Rhode Island this weekend, the following observances are open to the public.

Lt. Gov. Roberts, Major General Kevin McBride, and elected officials to commemorate Memorial Day

Friday, May 25, 10am. Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will be joined by Governor Chafee and Major General Kevin McBride of the Rhode Island National Guard, and Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Cicilline of Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation on the southwest lawn of the State House to commemorate Memorial Day. Officials will honor Rhode Island's Veterans of War with a wreath laying at the Garden of Heroes, officially dedicated in October 2005 to "Rhode Island service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during operations in support of the global war on terrorism since September 11, 2001."

The garden was officially named "The Garden of Heroes" in 2004 through legislation introduced at the request of then Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty. Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts has pledged her commitment to its continued care and support as Garden Custodian. Southwest Lawn, Garden of Heroes, Rhode Island State House

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Avenue of Flags

Saturday-Monday, May 26-28, 9am-5pm. More than 300 5-foot-by-9-foot American flags will be displayed along the streets that line Pawtuxet Memorial Park, 100 Harrison Ave., Cranston.

Barrington Ceremony and Parade

Monday, May 28, 8:30am, opening exercises at the gates of Barrington High School’s Victory Field, coordinated by the United Veterans Council with assistance from the Barrington Town Council. UVC President Michael W. Tripp will serve as Master of Ceremonies, while Jay Gasbarro, USN, Ret., is the honorary marshal. The principal speaker is Captain Randy Parks, USMC. Local Girl Scouts troop will lead the raising of the flag followed Rev. Robert K. Marshall, who will lead a prayer. Robert F. Smith, of the UVC, will read a roll call of deceased veterans. The Barrington Police Department will serve as the event’s firing squad and Jacob Greenberg and Nathan Wardwill play TAPS. (In case of inclement weather, the opening ceremony will be held inside the high school auditorium.)

Parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. It will begin on Lincoln Avenue, turn left on Upland Way, left on Barrington Avenue and left on Maple Avenue at the traffic light on County Road.
The parade will then proceed to the Barrington Town Hall entrance near Prince’s Hill Cemetery.. At the honor roll site, Luigi Carusi and Louis Codega will lead the placing of the wreath. Girl Scouts will then lead the raising of the flag, under the direction of Robin Deslauriers. The invocation will be conducted by Rev. Marshall. The Barrington High School band, will play the Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Aaron Schwartz will read the “Gettysburg Address.”

Bristol Memorial Presentation, Services, Celebration

Friday, May 25, 2:15pm, a patriotic presentation by the students of Colt-Andrews school will kick-off three days of activities. Colt Memorial School.
Saturday, May 26, wreaths will be placed at the various veteran monuments in town and flags will be placed at the graves of veterans.
Sunday, May 27, 9:30am, veterans and their families, as well as local veterans’ organizations are invited to attend a memorial service at the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home, 480 Metacom Ave. Those attending are asked to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for the 9:45 a.m. service.
Monday, May 28, 9:30am, North Burial Grounds near the Hope Street entrance to Colt State Park. There, military exercises and speakers will be followed by a parade from North Burial Ground to the War Memorial Garden at the Burnside building. A cannon volley will honor veterans of all wars, both living and deceased. The celebration will conclude with a wreath laying. Brigadier General (Retired) U.S. Army Michael T. Byrnes is this year’s chief marshal for the Memorial Day parade, with guest speaker, Col. Raymond Murray.

Burrillville Memorial Service

Monday, May 28, 11am. The Burrillville HS Band will perform at the cermony honoring veterans. Freedom Park, East Ave., Harrisville.

Charlestown Children’s Activities

Saturday, May 26, 10am. Drop-in and make Memorial Day crafts with Ms. Kerry at the Cross’ Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown. No registration required. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. This program is free and open to the public.

Cranston Ceremony

Monday, May 28, 6pm. Pocasset Cemetery, 417 Dyer Avenue, at the flagpole. Elisha Dyer Camp no. 7, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, will conduct a Dusk Memorial Service to the honored dead buried at the cemetery. After a reading of the Roll of Honor and presentations by the Camp Commander and a local dignitary (or two!), the assemblage will proceed to the final resting places of two of the original founders of G.A.R. Arnold Post 4, Dr. William Hutchinson and Lester Seneca Hill, for individual recognition and honors. The public is welcome to attend.

East Greenwich Parade and Ceremony

Monday, May 28, 10am. The parade steps off from Academy Field and will wind a short way through the "Hill" area turning left onto First Avenue (Route 401). The entire procession will pause briefly for a wreath-laying ceremony at the flag by the World War II Memorial on the corner of Cliff Street. The parade will continue North on Main Street. Closing ceremonies will take place on the front steps of Town Hall.  (There is no rain date so in the event of inclement weather, please call the EG Police Department at (401) 886-8639 who will be notified if the parade is cancelled.) Note: A temporary parking ban will be in effect on several streets surrounding Academy Field such as Rector Street and Spring Street to accommodate parade vehicles.

Exeter Parade and Exercises

Sunday, May 27, 2pm. Parade starts at Sunderland Rd and travels West on Rt 102 ending at the Town Library.
Monday, May 28, 1 pm. Ceremony traditionally includes the participation of both the Governor of Rhode Island and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. The "Striking of the Colors" and "Firing Volleys" are performed by the Rhode Island Army National Guard and "Taps" is played by the Bugler 88th Army Band.
The "Avenue of the Flags" decorate the roadways within the cemetery grounds. Over 300  flags have been presented to the cemetery by individuals and families in memory of deceased veterans everywhere.
Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail (Route 2), at the World War II Memorial Monument off Memorial Drive.

Glocester Parade

Monday, May 28, 10am-12:30pm.

Lincoln Breakfast, Parade, and Concert

Monday, May 28, 7-10:30am. Chapel Street Congregational Church's 35th annual Memorial Day Breakfast. $7 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12. For more information, call 401-723-1255.
11am-1pm, Parade. Step-off at Reservoir Avenue on the border of Pawtucket and ends a mile down the road at the former Senior Center at 40 Chapel St. Grand Marshal is Oliver H. J. Perry Jr., 89, who served in the Army's 88th infantry division in World War II. Parade will include Lincoln Police Honor Guard, the Lincoln High School band, the Lincoln Water Commission Little League Team and the Friends of Hearthside float.
1pm, Concert. At parade’s end at Chapel Street, a concert by the LHS jazz band and food donated by Twin River Casino.

North Kingstown Collection, Parade and Celebration

Monday, May 28, 8:30am, Project Undercover Girl Scout collection. Troop 1280 4th grade Junior Scouts from Hamilton and Fishing Cove elementary schools are asking the community to bring a package of childrens' socks, underwear, or diapers as a donation for Project Undercover. Collection tent will be at Wilson Park before the parade, and will be handing out refreshments for donations. Munroe Dairy will be donating chocolate milk and lemonade, in exchange for donations.  Scouts will also be collecting packages along the parade route.
10am, Parade.
11:30am, Seventh annual hot dog roast in honor of veterans, troops and specifically in memory of our Fallen on Memorial Day, immediately following the closing ceremonies of the North Kingstown Parade in Elm Grove Cemetery. Starting time will be approximately 11:20 a.m. The church is located just south of the cemetery at 1135 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown. This event is strictly non-promotional and free of charge. All are warmly invited to attend and we wish to thank all those who have been so supportive of this gathering. Please join us in remembrance of the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.

North Providence Parade and Festivites

Monday, May 28, 1pm. Step-off is at 1pm from North Providence High School and will end at the Memorial Day Festivities at Governor Notte Park.

Pawtucket Ceremonies

Monday, May 28, 9 am-11am. The Pawtucket Veterans Council will conduct the city’s Memorial Day rites at several locations. All events include a wreath laying ceremony. The principal ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Exchange Street, starting at 11 a.m.
City officials and members of the public are also invited to earlier events at:
• The Slater Park Shell, starting at 9 a.m.
• The Hiker Memorial, starting at 9:15 a.m.
• The Korean War Monument at Park Place, starting at 9:30 a.m.
• The Mineral Spring Avenue Cemetery, starting at 9:40 a.m.
The events will be led by Capt. Jim Robbins, veterans coordinator Maurice Trottier, and master of ceremonies Jack Lucas, an officer with the Rhode Island American Legion Department. All times are approximate. In the event of inclement weather, the 11 a.m. event will be held inside the Gatchell VFW Post at the intersection of Fountain and Blake streets.

South Kingstown Parade

Monday, May 28, 10am. Begins at Holly Street, Wakefield, goes down Main Street in Wakefield and ends at High Street in Saugatucket Park.

West Greenwich Parade and Ceremony

Monday, May 28, 1:30pm. Parade steps off at 1:30 pm from the Coventry line, Route 102, and proceeds south to the West Greenwich Town Hall (Route 102) for a ceremony. Chowder & Clam Cakes will be available at the WG Fire Station on Route 3.

Westerly Parade and Ceremony

Monday, May 28, 9:30am. The parade will form at 8:30 a.m. at the Pawcatuck Shopping Center, 37 South Broad St., Pawcatuck. Step off time is 9:30 a.m. and will march along Route 234 to Route 1 into Westerly. There will be a ceremony on the Pawcatuck-Westerly bridge where relatives of fallen military men and woman may cast flowers into the river in their memory. The parade will then proceed into Westerly and enter Wilcox Park for the main speaking ceremonies.

Wickford Parade

Monday, May 28, 10am.

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