DON'T MISS: Veterans Day Events in Rhode Island 2013

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

DON'T MISS: Veterans Day Events in Rhode Island 2013

Veterans Day is when we appreciate everything the men and women of the armed forces have sacrificed for our country. Here are some local events to honor and remember those who have served and are still fighting to protect our freedom.

Veterans Day Events in Rhode Island 2013

Woonsocket

Monday, November 11, 10 a.m.

The Museum of Work and Culture will hold its annual observance of Veterans Day on Monday outside the George Dubois Veterans Wing of the museum, which is located at Market Square, 42 South Main St.

For more information visit www.rihs.org.

Burrillville

Saturday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday November 8, at 7:30 pm, music lovers can enjoy the sounds of the acclaimed U.S. Navy Show Band at the historic Assembly Building, located in Harrisville, RI, at the junction of East Avenue & Harrisville Main Street (Routes 107 & 98).

Based in Newport, the Northeast Navy Band is a dynamic ensemble that performs jazz, popular, patriotic favorites, and New Orleans style contemporary brass band music. One of the most sought after big bands in the region, they travel extensively throughout the northeast, giving public concerts, music clinics in support of the Navy's educational outreach and community relations projects, and performing for jazz festivals.

For more on the Navy concert call Burrillville Town Hall at 401-568-4300 extension 139, or go to http://visitburrillville.org/attractions/

Blackstone Valley

Ongoing

Troops aren’t the only things to honor on Veterans Day. The Blackstone Valley is dotted with quite a few armories that played a pivotal role in training our troops and storing weapons and supplies for our military over the years.

There are three historic armories in Northern Rhode Island, some of which were used as far back as the Revolutionary War. During times of peace, these fortresses were used for public activities, such as social functions, health clinics, family events and community gatherings functioned.

Today, they serve as revitalized community centers, historical society headquarters, and venues for performing arts.

Pawtucket Armory, 172 Exchange Street (built 1894-1895): Located next to Tolman High School, the site is now a major arts and entertainment complex, featuring the Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre, renowned for  breakthrough live stage performances.

Woonsocket Armory, 350 South Main Street (built 1912): Situated at the intersection with Providence Street (Route 104) the building continues to serve community residents as a local parish center. It is built similarly to the 1902 Westerly, RI Armory.

Glocester Armory, Dorr Drive, Chepachet village (built 1865): This plain structure serves as the headquarters for the Glocester Light Infantry, one of the state’s oldest militia groups. The group still participates in the town’s Annual July 4th Ancient & Horribles Parade.

Learn more about each of these locations here.

Brown University Ceremony

Monday, November 11, 12 p.m.

Brown University will honor members of the Brown and Rhode Island communities who have served the nation in the U.S. military with a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Scheduled speakers include U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Brown President Christina Paxson, and current Brown student and U.S. Navy veteran Matthew Ricci.

Community and student veterans, ceremony participants, and guests will gather at the flagpole on the College Green shortly before noon. Led by the Providence College ROTC Honor Guard, the procession will travel to Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle. Jabberwocky, a student a cappella group, will perform the National Anthem. Nathan Lovejoy, a Brown student and U.S. Army veteran, will introduce the ceremony speakers. The ceremony will conclude with a wreath-laying ceremony at Soldiers Arch to honor those who have served, followed by a reception on Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle.

The event is organized by Brown University Student Veterans Society, the Office of the Dean of the College, and the Office of Campus Life and Student Services.

Click here for more information.

Gillette Stadium

Saturday, November 9, 9:30 a.m.

As the nation prepares to recognize the men and women who have served our country this Veterans Day, CVS Caremark will pay tribute early, welcoming nearly 50 veterans of all abilities from throughout New England to the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, November 9, for a football skills camp. Led by Patriots alumni, the special camp is the result of a  partnership between CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots, and is one way that CVS honors its commitment to individuals with disabilities and America’s military heroes.

The CVS Caremark/New England Patriots Football Skills Camp for Veterans will pair former Patriots players with veterans to work on football skills and drills. The camp will include a Patriots-style entry onto the turf through an oversized Patriots helmet; coaching by Patriots alumni on blocking, throwing and kicking; lunch on the sidelines with an opportunity to secure autographs and photos with Patriots alumni, cheerleaders and mascot Pat Patriot; and a visit to The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

Participants

CVS: CVS Caremark Senior Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy & Social Responsibility Eileen Howard Boone will welcome and thank the veterans on behalf of the company.

Patriots alumni: Max Lane (former tackle), Jon Williams (former running back), Pete Brock (former offensive lineman) and Eric Alexander (former linebacker) will work with the veterans.

Veterans: Veterans participating in the camp are from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs New England Adaptive Sports Program – a program of the VA Boston Healthcare System.

Click here for more information.

Warwick

Monday, November 11, 5 p.m.

AT&T will join New England Patriots player Devin McCourty at a special Veterans Day event at the Rhode Island National Guard Armory in Warwick to honor local military veterans and encourage support of the Operation Holiday Cheer 2013 care package drive.

Members of the public are asked to bring care-package donations for Operation Holiday Cheer to the event, where they will have the opportunity to meet McCourty and pose for a photo with the player. For information on the troops’wish list, visit http://www.ltgov.ri.gov/ohc/.

“My twin brother (Jason) and I have always had a deep appreciation for the current and former members of our Armed Forces, as our father and brother both served in the Army,” McCourty said. “What they have done throughout our history and what they continue to do today iswhat gives us our rights as Americans.”

 AT&T is a sponsor of Operation Holiday Cheer 2013, which is led by Rhode Island Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts in conjunction with the Rhode Island National Guard and Rhode Island's Family Assistance Center.                

AT&T is donating international calling cards to Operation Holiday Cheer to help families stay connected during deployments.

Sponsorship of Operation Holiday Cheer is just one way AT&T is supporting active-duty military members and veterans returning home. Unemployment is a critical issue for soldiers returning home from thewars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that’s why AT&T is actively recruiting vets to join the company, including here in Rhode Island. More information and resources for vets is available at www.att.job/military.

The event is free and open to the public, but all attendees must bring proper photo ID to enter the base.

WaterFire Salute

Saturday, November 9, Sunset

The WaterFire Salute to Veterans is scheduled for November 9 at sunset, which is at 4:31 p.m., and will occur two days prior to Veterans Day when the nation pays tribute to the men and women who have served our country in the military. RIPTA will be providing free rides to Veterans from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the special WaterFire.

During the WaterFire Salute to Veterans, Rear Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter, Jr., President of the U.S. Naval War College, will give the keynote speech.

The WaterFire will include a mix of arts and Veteran educational and advocacy activities including military recruiters in Station Park. In addition, Memorial Park will be alight with blue stars to honor the Blue Star Families of Rhode Island or those families that have a loved one serving in the military. Visitors are invited to attach their hopes, dedications, and thanks to our Veterans to these stars and the luminaria candle lanterns on the park floor.

Click here for more information.

Music Tribute

Saturday, November 9, 3 p.m.

Starting at 3:00 PM, with the U.S. Navy/Army Brass Band the WaterFire Salute to Veterans Music Stage at Station Park will be showcasing Rhode Island’s local music scene helping WaterFire celebrate our Veterans until10:30pm. Performances will include: Colour of London (6:00 PM), Roger Ceresi and the Allstars (7:15 & 8:20 PM), and Spogga Hash (acoustic performance (8:00 & 9:40 PM). WPRO FM will be providing the music in between live sets.

Click here for more information.

Pawtucket

Monday, November 11, 11 a.m.

The Pawtucket Veterans Council, an umbrella organization for local veterans groups, will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony and wreath-laying at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, at the corner of Roosevelt and Exchange streets, adjacent to City Hall. Members of the state congressional delegation, state legislators, Pawtucket City Council and Pawtucket School Committee, as well as members of the public, particularly veterans, are cordially invited.

Co-chairs for the event are Capt. James Robbins, president of the Pawtucket Veterans Council, Commander Maurice Trottier of the Major Walter G. Gatchell Post 306, VFW, and Jack Lucas, a state officer of the Department of Rhode Island, American Legion, who will act as emcee. Penelope Trottier, senior vice president of the RI/VFW Ladies Auxiliary and other members of the Gatchell Post Auxiliary will act as aides. Mayor Donald R. Grebien will give remarks.
 
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Gatchell Post, 159 Fountain St., which will host collations after the ceremony.

Vietnam Wall Replica

Currently Accepting Donations
 
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (Johnston, Rhode Island) and McBride’s Pub, located on the East Side of Providence, announced plans today to bring to Providence a traveling replica of the Vietnam Wall. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Travelling Wall is an 80% scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. Spanning 360 feet with its impressive eight feet tall apex, the wall contains every single name etched on the original.
 
The wall will be displayed for public viewing at India Point Park in Providence between Thursday June 5th and Sunday June 8th, 2014. “A number of events will be planned to coincide with the display of the wall to honor, respect and remember men and women who served, and to pay special tribute to those who gave all," said Erik B. Wallin Executive Director of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. Wallin also noted that there will be an emphasis on making the event a resource for veterans who are seeking assistance because the best way to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is to help their brothers and sisters in need.
 
According to Wallin, the event is in the early planning stages however the City of Providence, through the Mayor’s Office, has agreed to assist.  “We will be asking Rhode Island businesses, veterans groups and individuals to contribute to the event to cover the costs which will be around $15,000 and that additional funds raised will go to support the work of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island in its fight against veteran homelessness in Rhode Island," said Wallin.
 
Those interested in contributing to the Wall may contact Operation Stand Down Rhode Island at 401-383-4730 or visit the website at www.osdri.org
 
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is a Rhode Island non-profit which provides permanent and transitional housing and supportive services such as employment and training for homeless and low income veterans throughout the state. 
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