Warwick, RI – The four marines and one sailor killed last week at a recruiting station in Chattanooga, Tenn. by a gunman, reportedly while defending their comrades, will be honored Friday, 2 p.m. at Warwick City Hall.
The Warwick Veterans Services Association is hosting a memorial service for the five servicemen, organized by members Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson, Timothy Howe, WVSO President and Dan Evangelista, Director of Outreach Services.
The ceremony will begin with an invocation by Father Robert Marciano and the posting of colors by the Veterans Honor Guard, there will be the symbolic ceremony of “setting the table for fallen comrades.” There will also be comments from several attendees, including former RI Adjutant General Reggie Centracchio.
Vella-Wilkinson, former recruiter in East Providence during Operation Desert Storm, said she and her fellow WVSA members decided on the memorial while discussing the shooting.
“We were just talking about what we felt would be an appropriate action,” Vella-Wilkinson said.
Local Gold Star Moms, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion members and Vietnam era veterans are expected to attend.
Wilkinson said she and her fellow organizers know there may not be a high attendance count on a July Friday afternoon.
“But we’re going to do it anyway,” Wilkinson said.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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