Honoring Our Veterans in the Blackstone Valley
Veteran’s Day is November 11th, and this year it falls on a Thursday. Do you know why this date was chosen? Originally, it was celebrated as Armistice Day and fell on November 11th because it celebrated the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.
In 1954 it was changed to “Veterans Day” to honor all veterans of all wars. The date remained November 11th. Read more
Rhode Island is rich in military history from materials for war manufactured in our state including uniforms from Civil War to World War II… to decoys made in Woonsocket for the World War II Ghost Army.
According to an article by Don Bousquet in the former “Old Rhode Island” Magazine (Nov 1993), Central Falls held the first Armistice Day Parade months before the official end of World War I.
“As the war wound down, and it became apparent that Poland’s freedom soon would be restored; Rhode Island’s Polish community could no longer contain its joy. It staged a memorable parade through the streets of Central Falls in late
October, 1918, two full weeks before the Armistice. It was undoubtedly Rhode Island’s first ‘victory parade’ of World War I.”
The article continues to note that Rhode Island contributed 28,817 troops of whom 684 lost their lives and more than 2,400 were wounded or gassed. However, many of those fatalities were due in part to the large number that fell victim to the influenza pneumonia virus or the ‘Spanish Flu Pandemic’ that was sweeping across the military base camps.
Make a Visit to the Veterans Memorial Museum
Blackstone Valley has a hidden gem with a wealth of information about this subject and that is the Veterans Memorial Museum in Woonsocket. This well-organized space is full of memorabilia that honors our Veterans and preserves our military history in Blackstone Valley and across Rhode Island.
The museum has a large display of artifacts, uniforms, medals and everyday items from the Revolutionary War up to the present time. Glenn Dusablon, founder/museum curator, says all items are on loan except for a few items that he purchased and a rare copy of the Woonsocket Patriot dated April 15, 1865 announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln.
Other rare items on display are a WWII paratrooper training helmet, a poster signed by Captain Winters from the “Band of Brothers” and a lithograph of the Marine Corps War Memorial depicting the Marines raising the U. S. flag at Iwo Jima signed by the sculptor Felix de Weldon.
This museum should definitely be on your list of places to visit if you have an interest in military history or have a loved one who is a Veteran that you would like to treat to a day out. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to relish the information Dusablon has to share.
The Museum will be open Veterans Day in addition to its regular hours Tuesdays & Saturdays at 10 am – 4 pm.
While in Woonsocket, you can also visit Rhode Island’s eternal flame at American Legion Fairmount Post 85, 870 River Street; recently lit at the World War II Memorial dedication last month. This is the first of its kind in Rhode Island.
The Museum of Work and Culture at 42 South Main Street, Woonsocket is offering Free admission for Vets on Veterans Day. Hours are: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The museum presents the compelling and touching story of immigrants who came to find a better life in the mill towns along the Blackstone River.
Before Veterans Day, be sure to stop by Red, White & Brew for some great coffee or other beverage and participate in their raffle for a chance to win a piece of artwork donated by artist Chris Mills to benefit the Veterans Memorial Museum.
The piece is an American flag created from reclaimed wood.The winner will be chosen on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11. MORE INFO.
There are many communities in the Blackstone Valley that have Veterans Memorials including a new WWII Monument at WWII Memorial Park in Woonsocket, the Veterans Memorial in Deerfield Park, Smithfield, the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre & Park Pawtucket or the Veterans Memorial Park in Central Falls RI.
There are also a few events happening to honor our veterans, including:
Saturday, November 6 @ 5 pm – 11:30 pm– Veteran’s Masquerade at the Squantum Association in East Providence. Enjoy a fun night out while supporting “Operation Stand Down RI” in providing a hand up, not a hand out, to our amazing Veterans!
Sunday, November 7 @ 6 pm– The Assembly’s Salute to Veterans Comedy Night Featuring: John Perrotta’s Comedy Factory & Italian American War Veterans of the US INC. Free admission for Vets and one guest. For other guests TICKETS ARE $10 (suggested donation) along with a can good to support our local food pantry. All proceeds to benefit Northern Rhode Island Coffee House.
Visit our event calendar for more Veterans Day events!.
Feature Photo: Courtesy American Legion Post 85 Facebook Page