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DAV: FULFILLING OUR PROMISES TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED world war monument dedication r. i.
 
WORLD WAR II MOUNUMENT DEDICATION
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
VETERANS DAY
NOVEMBER 11, 2007
 

The newly dedicated World War II Monument Dedication
November 11, 2007




On Sunday I had the honor of attending the dedication ceremony of the newly constructed World War II Monument in Providence, Rhode Island. My uncle Joseph T. Corrente, a veteran himself, designed the monument many years ago, and worked tirelessly as Chairman of the committee to lobby for land, work on the design and lead fundraising efforts for the $1.3 million project. The monument is located on Memorial Drive in downtown Providence, RI, next to the World War I and Korean War Monuments. On either side of the main rotunda pictured above, there are two angled walls of granite, engraved with the names of the 2,562 Rhode Islanders who died while serving during World War II.

The afternoon began with a parade that originated at the State House. It included various military and police color guards, a procession of World War II-era military vehicles, hundreds of veterans, and a wide range of dignitaries, all led by a fantastic marching band. At the memorial, there was a huge crowd surrounding the site. Mounted Providence Police kept order and the horses provided a distraction for the young kids in attendance. I was attending primarily because of my Uncle Joe. For many years, I remember my uncle working on this project. At family gatherings he would bring out pencil sketches of what it would someday look like. It was neat seeing it standing, just how he planned it to be. I was proud of my Uncle Joe and his dedication to preserve the honor and memory of our veterans. While at the event, I saw the Governor, Senators and Congressmen, Mayors past and present, and a number of other local dignitaries. I didn't get an opportunity chat with retired Senator Claiborne Pell or Congressman Patrick Kennedy, but it was nice to see them. Below are some photos from the dedication ceremony:



Disabled American Veterans
   
PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
A life member of the Domenick J. Romeo Chapter 10
Cranston, Rhode Island






  
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