Above: The 2023 Grand Marshals Chris and Steve Bartlett ride in style in a 1970 Cadillac owned and driven by Peter Fontaine. 

The weather was about as parade perfect as planners could have hoped Monday (5/29/23), for the Town of East Greenwich’s annual Memorial Day Parade. And it showed, with strong turnout all along the route. Patrick Donovan, curator of the Varnum Armory Museum, presided as the master of ceremonies in front of Town Hall. Steve and Christine Bartlett served as parade grand marshals. The Bartletts, among many volunteer activities over the years, have managed the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard since 2010.

“On this day we honor those men and women who died while serving our country,” said Steve Bartlett. Chris spoke of the food cupboard’s importance to the community, noting it has been a part of East Greenwich for more than 45 years and serves 200 families facing food insecurity. She lauded the “tremendous community support,” the food cupboard (housed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church) receives.

Donovan gave a shout out to Jason Roomes of Massachusetts, marching in the parade for the first time. Roomes wore a replica of the uniform worn by his ancester, Caesar Roomes, a man enslaved on a farm at Rome Point in the 1770s, who earned his freedom fighting with the R.I. Black Regiment during the Revolutionary War, including in the battles of Yorktown and Rhode Island.

Nate Clark, an 8th grader at Our Lady of Mercy School, recited the Gettysburg Address, a long-standing tradition of the Memorial Day Parade.

Trumpet players Will Penhall (EGHS Class of 2023) and Emma Sheahan-Nguyen (EGHS Class of 2026) performed taps during the closing ceremony. Julia Erickson (EGHS Class of 2023) sang the National Anthem. Bagpiper Aaron Lindo completed the ceremony with a patriotic medley.

At the end, to the delight of all, including parade organizer Town Clerk Leigh Carney, came a fly-over by the 1o3rd Airlift Wing, stationed at Bradley National Guard Station.

Members of the Kentish Guard marching in the Memorial Day Parade.

The EG Fire Color Guard.

From left, Micaela Costa; Emma Drummer, 7; Ellie Costa, 7; and Ally Drummer, 4, watch the parade.

Eleanor with parents Erik Bickle and Nicole Scherer. Andrew and Jenny Belfry with their kids Quinn and Lea. Shannon Covill with her daughter Quinn.

Bob Farrell waves from driver seat of the EG Veteran Fireman’s Association’s 1964 Mack truck 4, with Gene Carpentieri standing behind.

Capt. John Romano (USN Ret.), a veteran of all three wars. Photo by Thom Blackstone

Providence Brigade Band

The EGHS Band.

Pack 3 East Greenwich

From left: Nina Rannenberg, Miles Rannenberg, Finnegan Cosgrove, Maisie Asselin and James Asselin watch the parade on Main Street.

Grace Hayes pulls the Pack 1 Warwick cart with her grandfather, Martin Gomm, bringing up the rear.

Dogs of the EG Animal Protection League. Photo by Thom Blackstone

Capt. John Romano (USN Ret.), a veteran of all three wars. Photo by Thom Blackstone

The Rivera family, from left, Junior, Milton, Marlon, Carmen and Kiana.

The reviewing stand, from left: Grand Marshals Chris and Steve Bartlett, Town Councilor Renu Englehart, Sen. Bridget Valverde, Councilor Mike Zarrella, Council President Mark Schwager with his wife, Patricia Flanagan, and School Committee members Kevin Murphy (with his son Rory) and Tim Munoz.

The DPW guys who make the magic happen.

Nate Clark, an 8th grader at Our Lady of Mercy School, reciting the Gettysburg Address.

EGHS Senior Julia Erickson sings the National Anthem during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.

A C-130 flies over Town Hall from the 103rd Airlift Wing, stationed at Bradley, at the end of the parade closing ceremonies.