Above: 2022 Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal Charlotte Dumas with Tiger Cub Everett Riley at Town Hall. Riley gave her a card he had made. Photo courtesy of Pack 3 East Greenwich
The weather was happily hospitable for East Greenwich’s 2022 Veterans Day Parade Friday, and Charlotte Dumas, 97, was a truly grand, grand marshal. She chatted with parade watchers all along the route. As Alan Clarke, Dumas’s chauffeur for the parade, recounted, “If she saw a dog on a leash, she remarked to the owners what a beautiful dog. Beautiful little girl, handsome young man. Good to see you. Happy you got out today! Happy Veterans Day. Whatever met the conversational need for the moment.”
At the closing ceremonies at Town Hall, Dumas spoke clearly and could be understood by everyone (not always the case at these things!). Her speech covered her time overseas in the services community, teaching, where she taught (read more about her HERE). Said Clarke, “I saw her notes but she did not have a speech and she did not read. She ad-libbed.”
He added, “I felt honored Driving Miss Charlotte.”
Col. Joanne Breslin leads the Varnum Continentals. Photo by Sandra Saunders
The EGHS Avenger Band on Spring Street. Photo by Sandra Saunders
The Kentish Guard marching up Spring Street early in the 2022 Veterans Day Parade. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Kentish Guard fifer. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Elected officials march in the 2022 Veterans Day Parade. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Grand Marshal Charlotte Dumas rides in style with Alan Clarke behind the wheel. Gene Dumas and Arthur Watson sit in the back seat. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Coventry High School Navy JROTC. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Aaron Lindo, the parade’s lone piper 2022. Photo by Sandra Saunders
Tiger Cub gives card to Capt. John Romano, USN (ret.), along the parade route. Photo courtesy of Pack 3 East Greenwich
A tiger cub hands out card to a veteran along the parade route. Photo courtesy of Pack 3 East Greenwich
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Congrats to Leigh Carney and her Committee for putting out another wonderful EG Parade.
When I returned from overseas many of the concerned Veterans from prior wars would ask me why are protesters desecrating the American flag openly in the streets. I understood completely. My reply was your sacrifice gave them that freedom. Although I’m not sure to the extent it satisfied their uneasiness but after my reply each would not raise that question again. However, there still is that perplexed gaze which still haunts me.
It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who gave us freedom of religions.
It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag.
It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag.
To be buried by the flag,
So the protester can burn the flag.
Thank you to all participants.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have served!