Local vets travel to capital
Honor Flight takes veterans to see monuments
WASHINGTON, DC – Two dozen Rhode Island World War II veterans traveled to Washington, DC on a trip sponsored by the Honor Flight Network and the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs, who seek to honor the sacrifices of our veterans by transporting them free of charge to our nation’s capital to tour the monument built in their honor and other historic landmarks.
“Every one of these two dozen veterans answered the call to serve. I am honored to salute them, hear their stories, and show them their memorial. Words cannot express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. These World War II heroes will forever have our utmost admiration, respect, and appreciation,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a West Point graduate whose father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Each veteran was escorted by a volunteer “guardian,” who assisted them with any of their needs throughout the day. The group departed T.F. Green Airport at 7:45 a.m. and after a full day in Washington, DC, returned to Rhode Island after 10 p.m.
The National World War II Memorial was completed in 2004, 59 years after the war ended. The memorial consists of 56 granite pillars and a pair of small triumphal arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, and is located on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The 56 pillars represent national unity and are connected by a bronze sculpted rope that symbolizes the bonding of the nation. Each state and territory from that period and the District of Columbia is represented by a pillar adorned with oak and wheat bronze wreaths and inscribed with its name. The pillars are arranged in the order of entry into the Union, alternating south to north across the plaza beginning adjacent to the Field of Gold Stars.
Rhode Island World War II veterans who wish to apply for a future Honor Flight may contact George S. Farrell at (401) 741-7999 or visit the Honor Flight Rhode Island website.
Below are the names, hometowns, and military branches of this weekend’s Honor Flight veterans:
Robert Blough (Pawcatuck, CT),; John Bradshaw III (North Kingstown), Army; Victor Butler (North Providence), Army Air Corps, Rhode Island’s last living Tuskegee Airman.; Manuel Carvalho (Fall River, MA), Army; Robert Catalano (Norfolk, MA), Navy; Thomas Clements (North Kingstown), Army; Richard Comolli (Westerly), Seabees; Walter Connery (Bristol), Air Force; Joseph Crowell (East Providence), Navy; Anthony D’Abrosca (Coventry), Army; Rocco DiMatteo (Bristol), Army; Earl Eddleston (North Smithfield), Navy; Dr. Irwin Kaplan (Wakefield), Army; Maurice Levesque (Bristol), Air Force; James MacGlaflin (Pawcatuck, CT), Navy; Rosalee Malaby (Warwick), Army Nurse Corps; Joseph Malloy (Beverly, MA), Army; David Mann (Hope Valley), Army; Robert Metayer (Scituate), Navy; George W. Mullins Jr. (Tiverton), Army; Joseph Nigrelli (Westerly), Army Air Corps; Peter Onisto (Westerly), Navy; Orlando Ricci (Johnston), Army; Earl Sweeney (Cumberland), Navy.