March 28, 2024

Seekonk Marks Memorial Day with Dedication of New Veterans Memorial

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Seekonk celebrated Memorial Day on Saturday, May 28 with a patriotic parade, followed by a solemn ceremony to mark the dedication of the new Seekonk Veterans Memorial on Newman Avenue.

The parade, which started at Seekonk High School at 10 a.m., marched down Arcade Avenue and Newman Avenue to the Hurley Middle School and featured the Seekonk Police Honor Guard, Seekonk High School Marching Band, the Edward Beatty American Legion Post #24 Band from Canton, and the Yankee Fife and Drum Corps. Don Kinniburgh was grand marshal of the parade. Local officials including State Rep. Steve Howitt, State Sen. James Timilty, Town Administrator Shawn Cadime and Selectmen David Andrade and Nelson Almeida marched in the parade. There was also a large contingent of fire trucks, including several vintage vehicles, and several local organizations including Boy Scout Troop 1, Aitken Elementary School, the Seekonk Little League and more, who took part in the parade.

Residents lined the streets to enjoy the procession. “It was fun. I liked the old fire engines,” said Jacqueline Sullivan.  “I thought it was really cool,” said 10 year-old Ethan H. “It was fantastic,” said Ethan’s 9 year-old brother Ryan H.

After the parade, the dedication of the Seekonk Veterans’ Memorial Park was held. The weather was hot but it did not deter hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues of Seekonk veterans and others from attending to pay tribute to veterans and be part of the special dedication.
Several members of the Memorial Committee expressed their happiness about the project’s completion. “I am ecstatic. It’s been five years in the making. I am overwhelmed that it has finally come to life,” said Bob DeFontes, vice-chairman of the committee. “I’m excited. We have waited for this day for a long time and we couldn’t ask for a better day,” said Doreen Taylor, a volunteer on the committee.

Seekonk Veterans’ Services Officer Jim LaFlame was master of ceremonies for the dedication.  Selectman David Viera, chairman of the Veterans’ Memorial Committee, said the memorial was long overdue and it was an excellent location for it. “I want to thank the taxpayers of Seekonk for standing behind us and believing in us,” Viera said. “I hope we never have to add a new name to the back wall,” he added.

The Memorial Wall is dedicated to the 24 fallen soldiers from Seekonk. Their names are engraved on the wall and a roll call was read during the ceremony. Mark Drapeau, who was the designer and architect of the project, spoke about wanting to help build a memorial in Seekonk for a long time. His father and two uncles served in the military.  “I had thought many times about helping to create a special place in town for residents to honor their family members who were veterans,” said Drapeau, who volunteered his time on the project along with several others, since it was proposed three years ago. “It’s not just about granite with names engraved on it, it is about honoring the heroes from our town and keeping their stories alive forever,” Drapeau said. He said the three soldiers that adorn the memorial wall were inspired by his father and two brothers who left Seekonk to serve in World War II, but he purposely did not put faces or names on them.  “Those three soldiers are here to salute every veteran that visits and to say welcome home,” Drapeau said.

Other speakers included State Rep. Steven Howitt, Brig. General of the U.S. Army National Guard Bennett Singer and Commander Joe Santos of the U.S. Navy. Howitt said the memorial was a wonderful tribute to veterans. “Engraved in those granite slabs are the names of 24 Seekonk sons, fathers and brothers who gave their lives, the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We are here today to honor them,” Howitt said. “I am in awe of this memorial, not only in its construction and its beauty, but the volunteerism of the workers who made this idea a reality,” said Howitt, noting that many individuals and companies had a hand in building the monument.  Howitt read a citation from the House of Representatives honoring the workers.
He also acknowledged the efforts of designer Mark Drapeau and committee member Joseph Velardo for their dedication to the project as well as many local businesses that sponsored the project. He thanked Young’s Catering of Seekonk, who provided food to the workers every day during the construction phase.

Another speaker, Brig. General Bennett Singer of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, said the memorial was “remarkable.”  “We are here for a time of both celebration and somber remembrance. We celebrate the efforts of all the volunteers who… built this beautiful and fitting monument… today is also a time of remembrance and reflection on the sacrifices made by the 24 men whose names are on this memorial,” Singer said.

Commander Joe Santos, a Seekonk native, told the story of Harold Gilbert Larrabee, who served in the Navy and was reportedly the first casualty from Seekonk in World War II. “I ask you to remember Harold and every serviceman and woman who gave their lives for our great nation, not just on Memorial Day but every chance you get,” said Santos.

After the speaking program, family members of the 24 men were called up and presented with a single red rose. A wreath presentation was held to honor four World War II veterans from Seekonk - William Whitley, David Humphrey, Warren Carpenter and James Drapeau, who was not present. Bill Soule, who is also a World War II veteran, stood in for Drapeau.

At the end of the ceremony, 24 white doves were released behind the memorial. The ceremony closed with the playing of “Taps” and a rendition of “God Bless America” by Sandra Phillips. The Veterans Memorial Committee is still selling engraved bricks on the walkway.

For information visit www.seekonkvetsmemorial.org.

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