By Elizabeth F. McNamara
Naturally, Grand Marshal Alan Clarke spoke about an historical event during his speech at the end of Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. Clarke, an unofficial town historian, told the story of Jacob Campbell, an East Greenwich resident called upon to read the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War a mere 235 years ago, in 1783, pretty much in the same place Clarke was speaking from (albeit an earlier courthouse building, Clarke took pains to point out).
Campbell, Clarke said, was bringing welcome news. The action of the war may have been far removed, but with all the younger aged men gone, much was left undone and times had been hard, he said.
Also part of the closing ceremony was a citation given to Capt. John A. Romano, USN Ret., by American Legion Post 15 Commander John Holmes for a remarkable 70 years of post membership.
Under cloudy skies, a good crowd turned out for the parade, lining Main Street from First Avenue to Town Hall. The closing ceremony even included a fly over from the RI Air National Guard’s 143 Airlift Wing.
Missing from the parade this year were the EG police and fire honor guards.
Below are videos and lots of photographs.
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Where were the Fire Department and Police Department Honor Guards, Fire Truck(s), Police Cars?
It was great to see that the Memorial Day Parade is alive and well. The Avenger Band was great, as well as the singing of our National Anthem, by EG High School student Logan Branch. It was certainly touching to see the American Legion Award to Captain John Romano, USN (Ret), a East Greenwich Treas er. I did notice that the Fire Department and Police Departments were noticeably missing?
Dick Chadwell