By PETE FONTAINE
“Graniteville,” one speaker related, “was a great place to grow up, and a great place to go to school.”
Yet another speaker called the tiny Johnston village, centered off Putnam Pike, “a great place that was home for some of the most courageous men and women who ever served our armed forces.”
That’s why people like Anthony Carlino, Karen Casale and Barbara Tessier – just to name a few – will never let the names of veterans who so proudly went to war to protect the nation’s freedom be forgotten.
On Saturday, the Graniteville Veterans World War II Foundation remembered all those men and women who went to war during the 15th annual Victory Day observance.
The late morning ceremony, which featured military music, prayers, emotional speeches and the official laying of the wreaths, was highlighted in a special salute to all Graniteville veterans when Barbara Tessier read the names of those killed in action during World War II.
Those soldiers were Ralph “June” Bridges, John K. Burrows, Walter Charbonneau, Alfred A. Chartier, Raymond Draper, George Harington Jr., William Hickey, Raymond J. Herther Jr., James Paterson, Joseph Roy Searle and William Thorpe Jr.
From the time Carlino delivered an inspirational welcome until the Rev. Herman Falu offered the second of two moving prayers, Saturday’s ceremony took attendees back to when “Graniteville went to war.”
“World War II made everyone from that generation place their lives on hold for a greater cause … the call went out, and you in Graniteville answered, and fought, and won and came home changed forever, but you were also bettered by the stand you made against tyranny and evil,” Carlino said.
Karen Casale played a special part in the morning’s ceremony, as she read the names of Graniteville natives who went to war and passed away this year. They were Doris Berry, Walter Fortin and George Lacerne.
The musical duo of trumpeter Tom Rotondo and accordionist Al Marano performed the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Sgt. Andrew Bates of the Rhode Island National Guard played taps.
Laura Charnley was given the honor of laying the wreath, assisted by Ralph Charnley.
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