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Warwick’s 2019 Veterans Day parade and ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park

Warwick. 'It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.'

Warwick Town /
| 12 Nov 2019 | 12:58
    On Monday, Nov. 11, a parade down Main Street culminating in ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the official time of the World War I Armistice.
    On Monday, Nov. 11, a parade down Main Street culminating in ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the official time of the World War I Armistice. ( Photos by Roger Gavan)
    Members of VFW Post 4662 and American Legion Post 215 shared a ride during the parade down Main Street culminating in ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park.
    Members of VFW Post 4662 and American Legion Post 215 shared a ride during the parade down Main Street culminating in ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park.
    A huge crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans.
    A huge crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans. ( Roger Gavan)
    Members of the Boy and Girl Scouts, their junior components scout leaders and parents were among those to gathere at Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans.
    Members of the Boy and Girl Scouts, their junior components scout leaders and parents were among those to gathere at Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans.
    Pledge of Allegiance.
    Pledge of Allegiance. ( Roger Gavan)
    The National Anthem wa sung by The Meistersingers.
    The National Anthem wa sung by The Meistersingers. ( Roger Gavan)
    An enthusuastic crowd waved their flags to honor veterans.
    An enthusuastic crowd waved their flags to honor veterans. ( Roger Gavan)
    VFW Post 4662 Commander John Mac Donald welcomed everyone and then read the poem, “It is the soldier,” by Charles Provence, which reads in part, “It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech,” and concludes with, “And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”
    VFW Post 4662 Commander John Mac Donald welcomed everyone and then read the poem, “It is the soldier,” by Charles Provence, which reads in part, “It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech,” and concludes with, “And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.” ( Roger Gavan)
    The ceremonies quietly ended as Commander Mac Donald played Taps.
    The ceremonies quietly ended as Commander Mac Donald played Taps. ( Roger Gavan)
    the ceremonies quietly ended with a final salute and the playing of Taps.
    the ceremonies quietly ended with a final salute and the playing of Taps. ( Roger Gavan)

On Monday, Nov. 11, a parade down Main Street culminating in ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the official time of the World War I Armistice.

One hundred and one years ago, in 1918, after a long and bloody struggle, the Armistice was signed ending the hostilities. But what was celebrated each year as “Armistice Day” was renamed “Veterans Day” in 1954.

A huge crowd, including members of the Boy and Girl Scouts, their junior components scout leaders and parents along with local citizens, gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to honor veterans.

Members of the Warwick Police Department, the Warwick Fire Department and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps also participated with veteran members of VFW Post 4662 and American Legion Post 214.

VFW Post 4662 Commander John Mac Donald led the parade and then opened the official ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by The Meistersingers.

He welcomed everyone and then read the poem, “It is the soldier,” by Charles Provence, which reads in part: “It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech,” and concludes with, “And whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, spoke about the generations of veterans who served. “Today,” he said, “we thank them.”

Mayor Michael Newhard, who described military service as an act of love added, “The snippiest words for that are ‘thank you.”

In a tribute to all the youngsters in the crowd, American Legion Second Vice Commander Tom Brennan said, “Seeing all these kids gives me hope for the future.”

VFW Post 4662 Jr. Vice Commander Barry O’Neill gave a prayerful conclusion to the ceremonies, which quietly ended as Commander Mac Donald played Taps.

- Roger Gavan