Memorial Day Events in Rhode Island 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
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.
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On Monday, May 27, the United Veterans Council Memorial Day Parade will open at 9 am at Barrington High School and conclude at the Town Hall. The ceremony will include wreath laying, raising of the flag and the high school’s band. Retired US Captain James J. Quinn will be speaking.
Barrington Fire Fighter’s Memorial Day Weekend Charity 5K
The Barrington Fire Fighters Memorial Day Weekend Charity 5k Road Race will be held on Sunday, May 26, from 9 am to 12 pm at Barrington High School. The event’s online pre-registration fee is $14 and event day registration is $18. For the online registration, map of 5k course, and race details visit www.barringtonrifire.com.
Chapel Street Congregational Church
Chapel Street Congregational Church’s 36th Annual Memorial Day Breakfast will be held at 7:30 am to 10:30 am at the fellowship hall.
Charlestown
The Charlestown Memorial Parade will be kicking off on Sunday, May 26, at 12 pm. The parade will start on Ridgewood Road and march down Old Post Road. There will be about 700-800 marchers. Following the parade, at 2 pm there will be Memorial Day observances at Ninigret Park.
Coventry
The Memorial Day service will begin at 10 am on MacArthur Blvd, and finish at 11:30 am.
East Greenwich
The 2013 Memorial Day Parade in East Greenwich will take place on Monday, May 27. At 10 am the parade will step off at the Academy Field in front of Swift Community Center. Adolph Johnson, a World War II Army veteran and former firefighter of the East Greenwich Fire District, will be the grand marshal.
Exeter
On Sunday, May 26, Exeter’s Memorial Day Parade will start at 2 pm beginning on Sunderland Road. The procession will travel west on Route 102 and end at the Town Library.
Glocester
The Glocester Memorial Day Parade will commence at 10 am from the Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church on Route 44 and ends at the cemetery.
Jamestown
On Monday, May 27, the Jamestown Annual Memorial Day Parade will start at 10 am on Watson Avenue. The parade will continue down Narragansett Avenue to the Veterans Memorial Square at the East Ferry. The service will include Leslie Krutz, the American Legion commander, and retired Marines Col. Bruce Livingston, the VFW commander. At Veterans Memorial Square there will be a wreath laying in honor of all veterans, as well as a speech from retired Army William H. Murphy. The marshals retired Lt. Col. Peter Drury and retired Marines Col. David Fuquea will lead the parade that will include the Jamestown Fire Department and the Jamestown Community Band.
Lincoln
The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 am on Monday, May 27, on Smithfield Avenue and continue down Walker Street (Route 126). The parade and ceremony will be honoring local military heroes.
North Kingstown/Wickford
The North Kingstown Parade will begin on Monday, May 27, at 10 am on West Main Street.
North Providence
On Monday, May 27, The Town of North Providence’s 6th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Celebration will begin at 1 pm. The parade will kick off at the North Providence High School, march down Mineral Spring Avenue, and conclude at Governor John A. Notte, Jr. Park. A celebration will follow including music and food.
Providence
On Friday, May 24, at 10 am the Providence Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at the Southwest Lawn, Garden of Heroes Rhode Island State House. Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts will join Governor Lincoln Chafee and Major General Kevin McBride, Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, as well as state and local officials to honor Rhode Island’s Veterans of War with a silent wreath laying at the Garden of Heroes.
South Kingstown
The South Kingstown Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 27, at 10 am on Holly Street. It will proceed to Main Street, then to High Street and conclude at Saugatucket Park. The event is sponsored by the South Kingstown VFW – Washington County Post and the grand marshal is South Kingstown resident and Korean War Veteran, Mr. Allen C. Stedman. A memorial service will be conducted at Saugatucket Park at 11 am with Master of Ceremonies, Lt. Colonel James Halderman and Reverend Clay Berry, of the Wakefield Baptist Church.
Warwick
On Monday, May 27, the Warwick Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9:15 am starting at Bishop Hendricken High School. The parade will continue up Oakland Beach Avenue, and finish on West Shore Road.
West Greenwich
West Greenwich’s Memorial Day parade will be on Monday, May 27, at 1:30 am. The service is on Route 102 on the town line and will conclude at the town hall.
Woonsocket
Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 27, beginning at 10:00 am at the corner of Cumberland and Clinton Streets, traveling through the city to Market Square, stopping at three monuments for brief ceremonies.
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