The Bridge at Cherry Hill made yesterday special – in a number of ways – for the 18 military veterans who live in the Johnston-based assisted living and retirement center.
“We thank you for your service,” Maryann Grace, the executive director at the award-winning facility, told The Bridge’s veterans, as well as a unique group of former United States servicemen who are part of the only Rhode Island National Guard unit to serve in the Vietnam War, during yesterday morning’s Veterans Day celebration.
For the sixth straight year, in fact, the Frank Castellone and Bob Mendes-led 107th Signal Corps – Chapter 21 of the Disabled Veterans of America (DAV) – treated those 18 resident veterans, their spouses and many of The Bridge’s staff to an unmatched military salute.
From the time the 15 members of the 107th Signal Corps – dressed in black hats, pants and shirts – began yesterday’s ceremony until those inside the spacious room sang “God Bless America,” every part of the salute to veterans was special.
Warwick resident Joe Errico, in fact, added what Castellone called a “great touch of class and caring” to the brief but emotional event.
Errico not only made each of the military seal certificates that the members of the 107th Signal Corps presented to The Bridge’s veterans, he also had each one in a specially-made frame.
And when Breein Ferry, The Bridge’s activities director, read each resident veteran’s name, a member of the 10th Signal Corps marched to where they were seated and presented the framed certificate and an American flag as Castellone played the song of their respective branch of the service.
“We love doing this ceremony at nursing homes and facilities like this,” Mendes said. “We absolutely love and make it our business to salute veterans everywhere.”
Yesterday’s Veterans Day ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, which Castellone – a.k.a. Frank Castle – played on his electric keyboard. Mendes led a special prayer that was followed by a poem.
Dr. Domenic Vavala, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, represented all 18 veterans at The Bridge and delivered an inspirational speech to the 107th Signal Corps.
The Bridge’s veterans who enjoyed the special ceremony held in their honor are Tom Belcher, Larry Calo, Gordon Dutra, Ray Oliva, Pasquale Pat Picozzi, and Russell Shirley, U.S. Army; Stanley Balkum, and Mel Pescarino, Army Airborne, Eugene Famigietti, Albert Salzillo, and Roland Vachon, U.S. Navy; Louis Saccoccio and Edward Robinson, U.S. Air Force; Charles Games, Army Air Force; and Angelo Saccoccio and John Mourne, U.S. Marine Corps.
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