Sgt. William Chilton, bugler for the 88th United States Army band, had just finished playing taps inside Johnston War Memorial Park sometime around 10:15 Saturday morning.
However, that wasn’t the conclusion to Saturday’s annual Memorial Day Service that once again as a program note so aptly read: “In memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice; let our future remember our past.”
Backed by a variety of different size American flags which were seemingly more pronounced than usual due to a slight breeze, Johnston Parks and Recreation Director Dan Mazzulla – who emceed Saturday’s “Salute to our Vets” in the absence of Mayor Joseph Polisena who had a attend a funeral – asked “if there are any veterans here today.”
He spotted Orlando Ricci, Johnston’s popular and now 103 centenarian, who is a World War II veteran.
Four other people – Paul Landry (Army), Don Dennehy, (Navy-Seabees), James Munafo (U.S. Army Medical Corps) and Marie Brisson (US Army Reserve, National Guard) – stepped near the park’s grandstand and were immediately greeted with a round of applause from a surprisingly small yet appreciative audience.
“Thank you for your service,” Mazzulla quickly offered the five Johnstonians. “Once again, as I said earlier we are honored to be able to do this for all our veterans.”
The brief, yet inspirational ceremony was highlighted by the reading of the names and bell ringing bell in honor of the 42 Johnston residents who lost their lives protecting the nation’s freedom.
In keeping with the event’s tradition, U.S. Army (Retired) Lt. Colonel Gary W. Maddocks Sr. read each of the 42 names and as he did so Johnston Police officer Brooke Ardito, 1st Sgt. U.S. Army National Guard, rang the bell.
Those brave men, their branch of service and war are: Army-Joseph DiDonato, Anthony Russo, Anthony Kwiatkowski, Antony Riccitelli, Michael Macera, William R. Mills, Harry C. Arnold, Anthony Ciarlo, William R., Thorpe Jr., Joseph R. Searle, George C. Harrington, Emery O. Picottte, James Paterson Jr., Alfred A. Chartier, Vincent Mongone, Rocco Stanish, William F. Hickey, Raymond DePetrillo, John A. Paglio, Carlo A. Coletti, Walter Charbonneau, Leo S. Arguien, Raymond J. Herther and Walter J. Hagerty.
Also, U.S. Navy – Robert Moran, William B. Richardson, Arthur LaPrade, Edwin Carlson, James F. Cavanaugh, Raymond B. Smith, Joseph Carrara Jr., Raymond Draper, Alfred A. Ricci, George Spink and Bernard Pitocco. U.S. Marines, Anthony Altieri; Korea – Army, Anthony Mazzulla and John K. Burrows.
Also, Vietnam – Ronald K. Blake, Army; Alphonse Maccioni, Marines, Andrew J. Wang, Army and John F. Bulpitt, Army.
Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, who led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, offered: “We thank all veterans for answering the call to duty. You have made our armed forces the most respected in the world. Because of you today we are all proud to be Americans.”
Saturday’s ceremony was also enhanced by members of the Johnston High School Select Choir directed by Matt Gingras who noted: “I am really proud and thankful to all the students who came out to support our veterans. They gave up their Saturday morning to volunteer. It is a lot earlier to say sorry I can’t make it than to put in the effort and show up. This shows the support these students have for each other and their community.”
The JHS chorus included: Daniel Cambranes, Anthony Cucinotta, Francis DeLeon, Salma Hedili, Evan LaPlante, Malorie E. Langford, Malorie Magnone, Thomas C. Dyer IV, Samantha H. Gobeille, Isabella Parrillo, Olivia A. Scuncio, Madison R. Kenny and Victoria MacKay.
The Johnston Police Department’s color guard, which included Deputy Chief Joseph Razza, Lt. Steven Guillmette, Det. Anthony Sasso and Officer David Slinko, was decked out in parade dress and again played a major role in the event’s success.
Don Iafrate, yet another proud Johnston veteran, performed the official laying of the wreath beside a new plaque on behalf of the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812. Members of the Rhode Island National Guard were on hand to perform a number of duties, most especially the annual gun salute to veterans.
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SPECIAL SERVICE: The Johnston Police Color Guard – Deputy Chief Joseph Razza, Lt. Steven Guilmette, Det. Anthony Sasso and Officer David Slinko – once again helped make Saturday’s Memorial Day Service special. Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine VETS 2 IMG 4500
MEMORIAL MATES: JPD officer Brooke Ardito (left) performs the bell ringing while U.S. Army (Retired) Lt. Colonel Gary W. Maddocks reads the 42 names of those Johnston residents who were killed while right in wars.
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GRAND GUESTS: Saturday’s Memorial Day Service featured a special salute to veterans Marie Brisson, Orlando Ricci, Paul Landry, Don Dennehy and James Munafo.
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DELIGHTFUL DUTY: U.S. Army veteran Donald Iafrate represented the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 during Saturday’s Memorial Day Service and was afforded the distinction of laying the wreath in honor of all 42 deceased Johnstonians who lost their lives while fighting for our country.
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