Memorial Day Events in Rhode Island 2014

40th Annual Memorial Day Commemoration

Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Monday, May 26, 11 a.m.

Exeter, RI

The commemoration will be held near the World War II Memorial.

Governor Chafee will be joined by Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline, Major General Kevin McBride, the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, and other state and local leaders.  Music will be provided by the Rhode Island National Guard’s 88th Army Band. 

The keynote speaker for this year’s commemoration will be Rear Admiral Walter E. “Ted” Carter, Jr., the 54th President of the U.S. Naval War College, located in Newport, RI.
 

Dedication/Remembrance Ceremony, Korean War Memorial

Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m.

Johnston, RI

Next to Graniteville Fire Station, Putnam Pike (Route 44).

New memorials dedicated and remembrance ceremony for veterans of all wars. Bagpiper and color guard from Korean War Veterans Association, Glocester chapter.

Flags for Freedom Event

Saturday-Monday, May 24-26

Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sun noon-6 p.m.

Mon noon-3 p.m

Smithfield, RI

The Crossing at Smithfield Gazebo, 371 Putnam Pike.

Display of flags in honor of all who serve and have served. Benefit sale of flags by The Young Marines, $5.

There will be a ceremony on Monday at noon followed by entertainment and refreshments.

Avenue of Flags

Saturday-Monday, May 24-26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting.

Warwick, RI

Pawtuxet Memorial Park, 100 Harrison Ave.

More than 300 American flags displayed on streets lining park.

Jewish War Veterans Post 23 Memorial Service

Sunday, May 25, 11 a.m.

Warwick, RI

Lincoln Park Cemetery, Post Road

Hope Valley-Wyoming Parade

Sunday, May 25, 1 p.m.

Hope Valley, RI

Parade forms at 1 p.m. at Hope Valley Fire Station, Main, Spring and Mechanic streets, steps off at 2 and includes a firefighters’ memorial service at Firemen’s Memorial, Depot Square Park, south side of fire station. All fire/EMS personnel welcome to participate.

Service of Remembrance

Sunday, May 25, 7 p.m.

Little Compton, RI

Acoaxet Chapel, 36 Rowland Rd., Westport. 

Charlestown Parade

Sunday, May 25, 1 p.m.

Charlestown, RI

Heads west along Old Post Road beginning at Ridgewood Road near South Kingstown line, through historic village district and ending at King Tom Drive.

Two-division parade with nine bands and more than 40 military, youth and community marching units and floats and featuring the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipes & Drums Band and the Silver Dolphins, a select color guard and precision rifle drill team from the Naval Submarine School in New London, Conn.

Parade stops at Cross’ Mills Baptist Church Cemetery and Cold Brook for brief ceremonies to honor those who died on land and at sea, with wreath laying, prayer, firing of three volleys and taps. Similar ceremony will be conducted at Charlestown Naval Airfield Memorial at Ninigret Park, Route 1A, for those who perished in the air, including those who died in training during World War II at the Charlestown Naval air facility. Community Gathering and Remembrances, Ninigret Park Pavilion, 2:45 p.m. Music by Wakefield Concert Band and picnic opportunities at Ninigret Park after services.

Monday, May 26, 9 a.m.

Carolina Fire Station, Route 112, Richmond, and travels to St. Mary Parish and St. James Chapel, 437 Carolina Back Rd., Carolina.

Memorial Recognition Program

Sunday, May 25, 9 am

Warren, RI

Vietnam Memorial, Route 136 and Market Street.

Military honors include wreath placing, cannon salute by United Train of Artillery, taps. 9 am. Attendees and Federal Blues proceed to North Burial Ground at 9:45 am for ceremony.

Naval Honors Ceremony, Monday

Monday, May 26

Warren, RI

Town Wharf, 7:45 a.m. Military Honors Ceremony, Town Commons, 8:15. Parade begins at 8:30 a.m. from Town Commons, State Street, to Main Street, to Sowamsett Avenue and ends at South Burial Ground for ceremonies, placing of flags, wreath laying, gun salute, taps. Refreshments at Warren Central Fire Station with shuttle bus provided. In case of rain, event begins 9 at Warren Central Fire Station.

Pawtucket Veterans’ Council Ceremonies

Monday, May 26, 9 a.m.

Pawtucket, RI

9 a.m. at shell at Slater Park, Armistice Boulevard entrance

9:15 at hiker monument in Grove Street Park, Exchange and Cottage streets

9:30 at Korean War Monument, Park Place, and 9:40 at Mineral Spring Avenue Cemetery, Mineral Spring Avenue and Conant Street.

Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre, Roosevelt Avenue and Exchange Street at 11. Rain site for

11 am ceremony is Gatchell VFW Post 306, 159 Fountain St.

Barrington Parade

Monday, May 26, 8 a.m.

Barrington, RI

Parade forms at Victory Field Memorial Gates, Lincoln Avenue, in front of Town Hall at 8 a.m. for opening memorial ceremony at 8:30 (held in Barrington High School auditorium if it rains), then steps off at 9:30, turns left on Upland Way, left on Barrington Avenue, left on Maple Avenue at County Road and proceeds to Town Hall entrance for a speaking program.

Bristol Parade

Monday, May 26, 9:30 am.

Bristol, RI

Ceremonies at North Burial Grounds, Hope Street, followed by parade down Hope Street to War Garden.

World War II veterans and all others who would like to march are welcome. Antique cars available for rides.

Cumberland Veterans Council Ceremony

Monday, May 26, 11 a.m.

Cumberland, RI

Monastery Grounds, 1464 Diamond Hill Rd. 11 a.m.

East Greenwich Parade

Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.

Parade steps off from Academy Field at 10 a.m., travels onto First Avenue for a wreath laying at the World War II Memorial on corner of Cliff Street, continues north on Main Street for closing ceremonies on Town Hall steps, 125 Main St

East Providence Parade

Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.

Steps off at 10 a.m. from Crescent Park Carousel, Bullocks Point and Crescent View avenues, Riverside; to Riverside Square, to Turner Avenue, on to Willett Avenue, ends at American Legion Post 10, 830 Willett Ave. Memorial wreath laying with National Guard bugler at Walter Gladding’s gravesite, Spring Vale Cemetery, 1125 Pawtucket Ave., Rumford.

Foster Parade and Wreath laying

Monday, May 26, 8:45 am

Starts at North and Foster Center roads and proceeds to memorial at Ben Eddy building, South Killingly Road, Foster Center. Speaking program follows.

Lincoln Ceremony and Wreath

Monday, May 26

Dow Square, Walker and Chapels streets, in front of Saylesville Fire Station at 10 am. “Remember D Day: June 6, 1944: Saluting the Greatest Generation” Parade steps off at 11 am from Smithfield and Reservoir avenues at Lincoln/Pawtucket line and travels north on Smithfield Avenue to Walker Street, to Industrial Circle into the Saylesville Mill Yard for ceremony, free concert and refreshments. 333-1100; lincolnri.org.

Newport VFW Conover-Leary Post 406 Ceremony

Monday, May 26

Honoring all departed veterans, Storer Park, Newport Harbor, 11 a.m. United Veterans Council of Newport County and American Legion Post 7 of Newport host joint ceremony in front of City Hall, 43 Broadway, noon, with Newport Artillery Company, Newport area veterans’ organizations, Rogers High School Army Junior ROTC, guest speakers. Container for deposit of worn flags and faded U.S. flags which will be retired and properly disposed of at flag retirement ceremony.

North Kingstown Wreath Laying

Monday, May 26

At Civil War Memorial, North Kingstown Town Hall grounds, 80 Boston Neck Rd., and at memorials at Veterans Memorial Park, Boston Neck Road, at 9 am. Parade steps off at 10 am from Wilson Park, West Main Street (Route 1A south), through Wickford Village then onto Tower Hill Road (Route 1A south) to Grand Army of the Republic Memorial on grounds of Elm Grove Cemetery for concluding ceremonies around 11. Hot dog roast after parade and at First Baptist Church, 1135 Tower Hill Rd.

North Providence Parade

Monday, May 26, 1 p.m.

Steps off 1 p.m. from North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Ave., marches down Mineral Spring Avenue and Douglas Avenue and ends at Governor John A. Notte, Jr. Park, 1810 Mineral Spring Ave., for celebration with entertainment and food, noon-6 pm. 349-5625.

Scituate Parade

Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.

Forms at 10 am at Berkander Field and Institute Lane and steps off at 10:30 from corner of Institute Lane and Danielson Pike (Route 6), then proceeds west on Danielson Pike to Silk Lane to Greenville Road (Route 116), to the steps of Old Historical Congregational Church for ceremonies. In case of rain, ceremonies held at 10 inside North Scituate Community House adjacent to Congregational Church.

South Kingstown Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 325, Ceremony 

Monday, May 26, 9:45 a.m.

Guest speakers at Dale Carlia Corner, Wakefield

Parade begins at 10 on Holley Street (behind Benny’s), travels down Main Street, then to High Street and ending at Saugatucket Park, High Street, Wakefield, for a memorial ceremony at 11. Concert by the Wakefield Concert Band. Refreshments at Elks Lodge, 60 Belmont St., Wakefield.

West Warwick Veterans Council Observance

Monday, May 26, 9:30 a.m.

West Warwick, RI

Veterans Memorial Park, Two Legion Way.

Guest speaker is World War II veteran John O’Hara of Narragansett.