The sun came out just as Grand Marshal Bruce MacGunnigle rose to give his speech during the ceremony at the end of the 2014 East Greenwich Veterans Day Parade Tuesday, a nice touch for a man who has served the town in a variety of ways over the past 30 years.
MacGunnigle, noting that East Greenwich has long commemorated this day, said that might be because the town itself was founded by the veterans of King Phillip’s War in 1677. (You can find the full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRCEJqR50I)
The parade featured many “regulars” – the Kentish Guard and Fife and Drum Corps, the Varnum Continentals, and the Avenger Band, as well as local politicians and the veterans who everyone had gathered to honor – but the Shriners were also on hand, bringing smiles with their ridiculous big men in small cars.
Also during the ceremony in front of Town Hall, Town Council President Michael Isaacs gave the Kentish Guard a commendation on their 240th anniversary.
Photo Credit: Emily Rhodes
Veteran John Taylor. Photo Credit: Emily Rhodes
Photo Credit: Emily Rhodes
Photo Credit: Emily Rhodes
EGHS trumpeter Anthony Agatiello.
The Kentish Guard volley salute.
Grand Marshal Bruce MacGunnigle.
Town Council President Michael Isaacs.
Jim Essex, town treasure.
The reviewing stand.
Grand Marshal Bruce MacGunnigle and his wife, Kate.
Newly elected state senator and Navy veteran Mark Gee (left) marches alongside parade regular John Romano.
The parade route gets more spectators on Main Street.
Gianluca and Alessia Minopoli have a prime view of the parade.
Newly elected Town Councilors Bill Stone (far left, with his daughter), Sue Cienki, and Sean Todd (with his son on his shoulders).
Members of the Kentish Guard at ease.
Peter Masterson talks to one of the Shriners.
Photo credits: EG News and Emily Rhodes for EG News (Rhodes also took the featured photo).
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Nice footage. We had a good time with our EG girls scouts.
Elizabeth
Nice job (as usual) ! Couldn’t locate the video however.
Carl I. Hoyer
Carl, when I open the story, the video sits below the top photo, almost like a photo but there’s a play button in the middle. Hope this helps!
Congrats to Bruce! Also grand to see John Romano stepping out, as dapper as ever…
I want to thank all the members of the East Greenwich Free Library’s 100th Anniversary Committee,who built the library float; and the children,parents,grandparents and friends who dressed up and walked with us,waving their flags to honor the Veterans.
I have a hard time deciding whether it is better to watch a parade or march in it. Great fun, either way. It is good to remember that the town’s Historic Cemetery Commission’s Job One is reviving the over 90 cemeteries in East Greenwich and these cemeteries are where those we honor with parades rest. Please help any way you can. It’s a very noble cause.