Veterans To Be Honored At East Greenwich Parade

EAST GREENWICH, RI — Veterans of all wars will be honored Monday during the East Greenwich Veterans Day Parade on Monday. The parade will feature numerous local organizations, including veterans groups and first responders, as well as a float honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Here's what you need to know about the parade and ceremonies.

The parade will kick off at the Academy Field at 10 a.m. It will then proceed to First Avenue for a wreath laying ceremony at the corner of Cliff Street. It will then proceed north onto Main Street to the Town Hall, where closing ceremonies will take place, concluding by 11 a.m. Patrick Donovan, vice president of Varnum Continentals, Inc. and curator of the Varnum Armory Museum, will preside as the master of ceremonies.

The "Lone Piper" Aaron Lindo will lead the parade, which will feature color guards from the Police and Fire departments, along with always resplendent local militia groups Kentish Guards, Varnum Continentals and the Pawtuxet Rangers. Several veteran groups will be participating, including American Legion Post 15 and VFW Post 8018. Featured at the parade will be a patriotic float paying homage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Musical groups will include the Governor's Own 88th Army Band, Navy Band Northeast, Providence Brigade Band, Rhode Island Highlanders and the East Greenwich High School Marching Band.

Local Boy and Girl Scouts will march along with the many local organizations displaying their patriotic spirit. Numerous classic and antique cars will be in the parade, along with the patriotic Blue Knights Law Enforcement motorcycle group. Local fire companies will display apparatus.

"The Town prides itself on being on only a handful of Rhode Island communities to continue to sponsor this parade, honoring Veterans of all wars, especially those who have given their last full measure of devotion," town officials stated.

In the event of inclement weather, Divisions 1 and 2 will hold a ceremony in the Swift Community Center, at 121 Peirce St.