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UPDATED: Cranston Veterans Day Parade marches on – after decades absence. Other events.
(Developing story…check back for added details)
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 making it an annual observance, and it became a national holiday in 1938. Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day to honor all those who served the country in war or peace. On this day, the nation honors military veterans with parades and other observances across the country and a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
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The City of Cranston takes the lead with bringing back a traditional parade in the city – one not seen in approximately decades – estimated to be more than 30 years.
As we go to print – what we know. Please check back as these details will be updated today!
The Cranston Veterans Day Parade will be held on Thursday, November 11th, starting at 10:30am.
It will begin at the Legion Bowl on Park Avenue, continue past City Hall up to Heyward Street, and then down Rolfe Square, coursing a 1.2 mile route.
Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins is credited with bringing the parade back, saying that after a decades-long hiatus, the City of Cranston is pleased to bring back the tradition of honoring our great veterans for their service to our Country.
Participants include Cranston City Council members, US Military veterans, members of Cranston’s General Assembly Delegation, the Cranston High School East and Cranston High School West Marching Bands.
Also in the parade will be RINewsToday Veterans Column writer, John A. Cianci, Department Veterans Service Officer, Italian American War Veterans (ITAM) – and RINewsToday feature writer, Jeff Gross, former United State Coast Guard Marine Science Technician 2nd Class. Gross will be with the USCG Castle Hill Newport which will have a boat and truck in the parade. Cianci and Gross will be escorting Leonard “Len” Lenzen, a WWII “Seabees” Combat Veteran.
Activities will include a Wreath Laying ceremony at the Field Cannon & Flags area at the end of Rolfe Street, next to the Park Cinema. There will be a 21-gun salute.
The Cranston Herald reports that the featured speaker and grand marshal of the parade is retired Army Lt. Col. David Accetta, an alumnus of Cranston West and the University of Rhode Island who served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom – and that other participants include the Cranston Police and Fire honor guards, the Cranston Rotary Club, Special Olympics Rhode Island, local Boy and Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, local elementary school students, a local children’s dance group, and Billy DeAngelus from Twin Oaks, who will drive an antique fire truck.
Paul McAuley, former city councilor who now works as the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff says there will be an enormous American flag that has been used at Gillette Stadium, that will separate the two divisions and be carried by 40 high school football players – 20 each from East and West.
A tentative agenda/order of ceremony at the Cannon area (subject to change) is:
* Invocation by City Chaplin
* Speech from Cranston City Mayor Ken Hopkins
* Star Spangled Banner
* Wreath Ceremony
* Gun Salute from CPD W/Taps
* Ending w/God Bless America.
Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans
A ceremony took place with Gov. McKee at Holliman Elementary School in Warwick at 10am, Wednesday, November 10th. This legislation extends property tax exemptions to veterans who served in uniform during the Cold War, between 1947 and 1991, even if they did not serve in a declared war or conflict.
Participating in the ceremony were: House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey, Representative Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson, bill sponsor Senator James A. Seveney, and Warwick Mayor Frank J. Picozzi.
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North Kingstown – November 11th, 9am – at Veterans Memorial Park, 80 Boston Neck Road – Governor McKee will attend a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the lives lost in the nation’s armed conflicts.
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East Providence – Nov. 11th – 10:45am – Infantry Lodge Associates’ Toast to the National Colors of the United States – Squantum Association, 947 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence – Gov. McKee to attend.
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South Kingstown Veterans Day Parade honoring Women Veterans will be held on Thursday, Nov. 11th at 10am with the parade starting at 756 Kingstown Road in Wakefield. The Ceremony will begin at 11am at Saugatucket Park, next to Wakefield School. – Emcee is SSG Sarah Cavanaugh USMC (ret) VFW Post 152 Commander
Grand Marshalls:
Tricia Boucher VFW Post 916 Sr Vice Commander
Maija Hills VFW Post 916 Jr Vice Commander
Jennifer Whitworth VFW Post 916 Quartermaster
Key Note Address: Dora Vasquez-Hellnor VFW RI Commander
Blessings/prayers: Rotunda East RI VA Medical Center Chief of Chaplains
For more information please call Tiger Patrick, SK Parade Committee and VFW RI Sr Vice Commander, 677-9374
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Warwick Ceremony Honoring our Veterans – November 11th at 10 am at the park outside of Veterans Middle School in Warwick. Mayor Frank Picozzi, along with Representative Camile Vella-Wilkinson, will unveil a medallion to honor veterans of the Cold War. There will be a procession of the Warwick Fire and Police Department’s Honor Guard, and posting of the colors. A benediction will be given by Reverend Robert L. Marciano, followed by remarks from a Cold War Veteran, Mayor Picozzi and Representative Vella-Wilkinson. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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Pawtucket Veterans Council to Host Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony on Thurs, Nov. 11th at 11am. Event will be at the Veterans Memorial, Exchange & Roosevelt, next to the Fire Station. Participating: Pawtucket Veterans Council, Mayor Donald Grebien, Pawtucket City Council. For more information, please contact John Gallo, President of Pawtucket Veterans Council, 401-573-7057.
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Newport Car Museum – Portsmouth- Veteran’s Day Discount – on Thursday, November 11th, 10am – 5pm. $10 Veterans and Active Military. Discount at door with valid ID. Regular admission: $18/adults; $15/Seniors, Military, Students; $8/Ages 5-15 (with an adult); Free/Ages 4 and under (with an adult). Free parking. 1947 West Main Rd., Portsmouth, R.I. 02871, 401-848-2277,www.newportcarmuseum.org
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Governor McKee to Host RI’s Tribute to Veterans – Thursday, November 11th, 2pm, Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol. Governor McKee will be joined by Director of Veterans Services Kasim J. Yarn, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Congressman James Langevin, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, Representative Samuel Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly)Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren), Capt. James McIver, Naval Station Newport, Lawrence Connell, Providence VA Medical Center, Edward J. McQuade, Providence Veterans Benefits Administration, and other dignitaries at the Rhode Island Veterans Home.
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Meet the Author, Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2pm, Stillwater Books, Main St., Pawtucket. Meet Brian Power, author of “A Chance To Serve – A Memoir” – a quarter century of serving in the US Marines. More at: http://brianpowerauthor.com
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Veteran’s Day Ceremonies – Nov. 11th, 11am to noon, Veteran Park, Bridgeway, Pascoag, RI
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Portsmouth, November 11, 11am, High Street Landing Flagpole – annual Veterans Day ceremony.
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Mineral Spring Cemetery Walk – Sat., Nov. 13th, 1-3pm – Mineral Spring Cemetery, Pawtucket
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Johnston Veteran’s Day recognition was held for the public on Nov. 10th at the new Johnston Fire Hose 1 Volunteer Firefighters’ Memorial with Mayor Joseph Polisena and city officials.