Memorial Day Events in Rhode Island
Friday, May 27, 2011
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 and General Jannitto to commemorate Memorial Day
Friday, May 27, 10am
Roberts and Jannitto will honor Rhode Island’s service men and women with a wreath laying at the Garden of Heroes, officially dedicated in 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.”
Southwest Lawn, Garden of Heroes, Rhode Island State House
Avenue of Flags
Saturday-Monday, May 28-30, 9am-5pm
More than 300 5-foot-by-9-foot American flags will be displayed along the streets that line Pawtuxet Memorial Park.
Pawtuxet Memorial Park, 100 Harrison Ave., Cranston
Bristol Memorial Service
Sunday, May 29, 9:30 am, Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Ave.
Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 30, 9:30am
Parade and ceremonies begin at North Burial Ground, Hope Street, 9:30am; parade forms and steps off at 9:45 am proceeds south on Hope Street to the Bristol War Veterans Honor Roll Garden for exercises and speaking program. In case of rain, the parade will be canceled and the exercises/speaking program will take place at the Bristol Train of Artillery, State Street, at 10 am.
Burrillville Memorial Service
Sunday, May 29, 1pm, Burrillville High School’s Veterans Auditorium, 425 East Ave., Harrisville
Monday, May 30, Berard-Desjarlais Monument, Victory Highway and Route 7, Nasonville, 9:30am, and at Freedom Park, Harrisville, 11 am.
Central Falls Ceremony
Monday, May 30
Ceremony conducted by the Central Falls Veterans Council begins at 11 am at Moshassuck Cemetery, on to Quinn Square, to Veterans Memorial at Adams Library, Central Street, to the Notre Dame Monument, Broad Street, and ending on Charles Street and Roosevelt Avenue. A wreath will be thrown into the Blackstone River in honor of veterans lost at sea. A van will be available for those who wish to ride the route.
East Greenwich Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 30, 11am
Parade steps off from Swift Gym and Academy Field, 111 Peirce St., and ends with a ceremony at East Greenwich Town Hall, 125 Main St.
Memorial Day Presentation at EPOCH Assisted Living
Monday, May 30, 3pm
Steven Kane, a local psychologist and music buff, gives a presentation in celebration of Memorial Day and in honor of soldiers who fought in World War II.
EPOCH, Blackstone Blvd, Providence
Exeter Exercises
Monday, May 30, 1 pm, Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail (Route 2), at the World War II Memorial Monument off Memorial Drive
Newport Ceremonies
Monday, May 30
Containers available at the ceremony for the deposit of worn/faded/unserviceable US flags. Built in 1929, this 100-foot stone tower is on the highest hill in Newport. It contains an interior set of circular stone steps leading to an open metal staircase, to the observation deck on the top. Adults and families are welcome to climb. On clear days, views of Providence and Block Island are common as well as the beaches and neighborhoods of the island and the Navy Base.Sorer Park, by the causeway to Goat Island, 11 am, and on the lawn of Newport City Hall, Broadway, noon. World War I Monument Tower in Miantonomi Park open 1:30-3:30 pm, weather permitting.
North Kingstown Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 30, 2011, 9am
Wreath-laying ceremonies at the North Kingstown Town Hall and at Veterans Memorial Park, including the playing of taps and rifle team volleys by the Rhode Island National Guard, 9am. Parade forms at 9 am at Wilson Park and steps off at 10am to West Main Street (Route 1A south) to Brown Street, onto Phillips Street and then onto Tower Hill Road (Route 1 south) for a concluding ceremony at the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial on the grounds of Elm Grove Cemetery, 11am. Parade marchers stop at Updike Park, Wickford Village, for wreath-laying ceremonies by the World War Memorial and by Wickford Harbor. In case of rain, ceremonies at 9 and 11 will go on as planned but the parade will be canceled.
Pawtucket Ceremonies
Monday, May 30, 9 am-11am
Conducted by the Pawtucket Veterans Council at the Slater Park Shell at 9 am, Hiker Monument at 9:15am; the Unknown Military Dead Monument at the Mineral Spring Avenue Cemetery, Conant Street, at 9:30am, and at Veterans Memorial Park, Roosevelt Avenue and Exchange Street, at 11am.
Scituate Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 30, 10am
Parade forms at 10 am at Berkander Field and Institute Lane and steps off at 10:30 am from Institute Lane and Main Street; proceeds west on Main Street to Silk Lane, to Greenville Road and to the Congregational Church at the Village Green for a ceremony.
South Kingstown Parade
Monday, May 30, 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 30, 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.
Westerly Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 30
The parade begins at 9:30, marches through downtown Westerly. With ceremonies.
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