Salvatore to Host Veteran’s Day Rededication of Lafazia Square
GoLocalProv News Team
Salvatore to Host Veteran’s Day Rededication of Lafazia Square
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
"Carlo Lafazia was a true American patriot. When I learned that the original plaque had been removed from the square, I immediately knew that we had a responsibility to Mr. Lafazia and his family to replace it. It's only fitting that we rededicate Carlo Lafazia Square on Veterans Day,” said Salvatore.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe ceremony is open to the public, and parking can be found in the Walgreens parking lot at 354 Admiral Street in Providence.
About Lafazia
Lafazia, of Providence, was born in 1897 to Italian immigrants Domenico and Filomena Lafazia, was killed in France during the "Great War." He was a Private 1st Class in the 16th Infantry Regiment. The 16th was one of the first American battalions to land on French soil in June of 1917. For more than a year Lafazia and his fellow infantrymen fought the Germans who were holding the Argonne Forest along the Western Front.
Known as the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and part of the Hundred Day Offensive, it was one of the final pushes of the Allied forces and was one of the deadliest and biggest offensives in WWI. Nearly 27,000 American soldiers were killed, including Lafazia on October 11, 1918, just one month before the Armistice of November 11.
Lafazia’s body was never recovered. His name is engraved on the Tablets of the Missing at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery – the resting place of more than 14,000 Americans who gave their lives in WWI.
Lafazia was called an "Emblem of Italian loyalty to the Stars and Stripes," and was honored by the Providence Board of Alderman on August 3, 1933, when they dedicated the square in his name.
2017 RI Veterans Day Events
November 11
Bristol
Ceremony at Rhode Island Veterans' Home
The ceremony at the Rhode Island Veterans Home begins at 12:30 p.m. .
November 11
Central Falls
Grand Opening & Dedication Ceremony for Veterans Memorial Park
The ceremony will take place at the intersection of Hunt and Illinois Streets, the former site of Veterans of Foreign Wars post-1271.
Officials such as Mayor James Diossa, and veterans will speak.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.
November 11
Cranston
The 5th Annual Park View Veterans Day 5k run/walk, as well as a 1-mile kids run, will be held at Roger Williams Park starting at 8:30 a.m. with a kids run, and then the 5K taking place at 9:30 a.m.
All proceeds from the event benefit Operation Stand Down RI.
November 11
East Greenwich
The Veterans Day Parade will take place starting from Academy Field and will go to First Avenue for a wreath-laying ceremony at the corner of Cliff Street.
The parade will then go North on Main Street the Town Hall for a closing ceremony.
The parade begins at 10 a.m.and is expected to conclude around 11 a.m.
November 11
Newport
Ceremony at Newport City Hall
The ceremony just in front of the Newport City Hall kicks off at 11 a.m. and will feature the Newport Artillery Company, local veterans' organizations, Rogers High School Army JROTC Viking Battalion, city and legislative officials and much more.
November 11
Exeter
Ceremony to honor Marines
The ceremony will take place at the Marine Corps Monument located at 301 South County Trail.
The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m.
November 11
Foster
Observance at Town Memorial
An observance of Veterans Day will be conducted by Foster Memorial Post, American Legion.
The observance will take place at 11 a.m.
November 11
South Kingstown
Parade and Memorial Ceremony
The parade begins at Holly Street and turns onto Main Street, to High Street and concludes at Saugatucket Park, where a memorial ceremony will take place.
The ceremony takes place at 10 a.m.
November 11
West Warwick
West Warwick Veterans Council Observance
The ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial Park.
The guest speaker is Lt. Col. Ronald Tommaro.
The ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m.
November 11
Scituate
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Berkander Field and Institute Lane and goes onto Danielson Pike before proceeding west to Silk Lane to Greenville Road to the steps of the Old Historical Congregational Church for ceremonies.
Thre will also be a Rededication Ceremony of the Hope Furnace Cannon.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
November 11
Westerly Parade
The annual parade from Pawcatuck to the Westerly Armory, will take place starting at 9:30 a.m.
Once the parade reaches the armory, there will be ceremonies.
November 11
Portsmouth
A ceremony and Wreath Laying will be hosted by American Legion Post 18 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5390, at Portsmouth Town Hall.
Speakers, awards, and presentation of gifts.
The event will take place at 9 a.m.
November 11
Seekonk
Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park
The ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial Park Revolution Fife and Drum and 215th Army Band (Mass. National Guard).
The event will take place at noon.
November 12
Lincoln
“A Veterans Day of Honor,” at Twin River Casino
The event will include lunch and both silent and live auctions benefitting R.I. Fire Chiefs Honor Flights for veterans. Tickets are $75.
The event runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November 12
Woonsocket
American-French Genealogical Society will honor men and women of Woonsocket who served in World War I.
The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m.
