While the sights and sounds of last week’s fireworks are still fresh in your minds, please take a moment to consider what will happen two years from now. On July 4, 2026, our nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary.
In 2021, the General Assembly established a RI250 commission to be administered by the office of the secretary of state. This group consists of 30 community members, whose mission is to oversee Rhode Island’s participation in this national celebration. Their task includes the organization of activities marking Rhode Island’s role in the American Revolution.
Those of us who are old enough to remember the bicentennial in 1976 will recall what a smashing success it was for our state, both artistically and economically. Highlighted by the magnificent spectacle of the Tall Ships in Newport, Rhode Island’s planning and execution was named the best in the nation by the federal American Revolution Bicentennial Administration.
Perhaps lost in the flush of success was the role the Veterans Committee of the Bicentennial Commission played in the development of the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery.
Can the 1976 effort provide a blueprint for similar success in 2026? More specifically, how can the 250th highlight the actions of Rhode Island’s first veterans – those who fought and died in our war for independence? Is there a project the 250th Commission could adopt that will become its legacy with veterans?
First, some background.
Creation of the Veterans Cemetery
In 1969, the General Assembly established a nine-member special legislative study committee to address the creation of a veterans cemetery in Rhode Island.
The prime movers were Sens. Erich Taylor of Newport and Thomas Goodwin of Providence. In March 1970 the committee unanimously endorsed the concept at a cost not to exceed $150,000.
“The Glocester area and locations nearer urban centers are under consideration for the cemetery,” reported The Providence Journal. As a stopgap solution, some lawmakers proposed the use of the Fort Adams Cemetery in Newport until the new cemetery was completed. (That idea went away quickly when it was determined that Fort Adams could accommodate, at most, 94 new burials.)
After reviewing and inspecting potential locations, the commission decided the best site was in Exeter, on land adjacent to the Ladd School. In May 1972, the State Properties Committee turned over about 20 acres for the start of the cemetery.
Groundbreaking began Dec. 16, 1972, when National Guard bulldozers leveled the property and roughed out roads. The plan was to develop the cemetery about 5 acres at a time, with each acre expected to accommodate about 600 gravesites.
Eventually, the cemetery was expected to encompass 175 to 200 acres.
The dedication was originally scheduled for the August commemoration of what was then called V-J Day (now Victory Day). It had to be postponed because the state had leased the land to a farmer who had planted the proposed cemetery area with corn. The ceremony was put off until Armistice Day (Nov. 11, 1973) to allow the farmer to harvest his corn.
The oil embargo was in full swing at the time, and U.S. Sen. John Pastore told a crowd of about 200 attendees that pain from prices at the pump were nothing compared with what the men buried there had endured. “Everyone should feel the sacrifice of our fallen dead,” he said.
Goodwin announced that the wooded area, then accessible only by dirt farm roads, would not be completed until the following spring. Burials commenced unofficially in May 1974, but the cemetery still occupied little more than the 20-plus acres initially allocated, and there was no long-term plan for its evolution and future development.
In those early days, burials averaged three per week. By the time the cemetery officially opened in 1976, there were about 400 interments, and the area allocated had grown to about 90 acres.
Role of the Bicentennial Commission
Coincidentally, the 1969 General Assembly also established the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission, which sputtered along for about five years. At that point, Patrick Conley (Rhode Island’s historian laureate today) was asked by the governor to take over the chairmanship.
One of the first things he did was create a number of committees, expanding the involvement of the general public by asking for volunteers to serve. One of the first committees he created was a Veterans Committee.
“Since the American Revolution was fought and independence was won by soldiers who became Rhode Island’s first veterans, I regarded that committee as one of primary importance,” Conley told me.
The committee’s 1974 creation coincided with the initial burials at the Veterans Cemetery. Recognizing that helping the cemetery initiative along would be of lasting benefit to the state’s veterans, the committee made the cemetery’s development its primary bicentennial focus.
The Veterans Committee retained the faculty and students at the Rhode Island School of Design to prepare a detailed site development plan for the proposed cemetery.
With funding from the commission, the college provided a design blueprint for the future through its school program RISD/LAND.
According to the introduction to the RISD report, “The study is an investigation of the site development potentials of a superb parcel of land that has been selected for the installation of the new Rhode Island veterans cemetery. The study was made possible by a contribution from the veterans committee of the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission.”
Over the years, the cemetery was laid out in accordance with that design. Today, the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery spans about 280 acres, much of it still undeveloped. The cemetery is a final resting place for more than 25,000 Rhode Island veterans who served their country honorably during wartime, and their eligible dependents. There are about 1,100 interments per year.
As Conley said, “I hope our 1976 efforts on behalf of our veterans will encourage and inspire the current 250th Commission to give veterans the prominent place they deserve in such a commemoration.”
Ron Barnes of Cranston is colonel of the Pawtuxet Rangers and the liaison between the Rhode Island National Guard and all the Rhode Island Historic Military Commands. He added, “A major part of the America/RI 250 observance is recognizing our original veterans who fought and died for our independence. What better way to observe America/RI250 than by sponsoring a Veteran-related project?
“I know military-related events are being considered, but their impact fades away after a few days. Let’s identify something, like the cemetery, which will benefit veterans for years to come.”
Commission spokesperson Lauren Fogarty seems to agree.
“We acknowledge the importance of initiatives that go beyond singular events,” she emailed. “We are actively exploring initiatives that will leave a meaningful and enduring legacy in our state. Director Kasim Yarn of the Office of Veterans Services is a valued member of our Commission, and his input is integral to our discussions.”
Announcements
35th National Muster of Fifes & Drums coming to Fort Adams, Aug. 9-10.
Two of Rhode Island’s historic militias, the Kentish Guards and Pawtuxet Rangers, both celebrating the 250th anniversary, are hosting this exciting national event. Fife & drum corps from all over get together once a year for this spectator-friendly event. All performances are open to the public at no charge.
On Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., there is an evening tattoo at which select corps are invited to perform mini-concerts. On Saturday an opening parade will kick off the festivities at 11 a.m. Muster performances begin at 1:30 p.m., with each corps performing three or four songs. The event concludes with all musicians playing the same songs together in a sort of jam session.
So far, 43 corps have registered. Participants include the famous 3rd U.S. Infantry Old Guard from Arlington, Virginia (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), and the Argovia Rebels are coming from Switzerland.
For further information, please email 2024nationalmuster@gmail.com.
Button Hole Golf Course in Providence continues Veterans Golf Clinics
All veterans and active service members are welcome, as well as immediate family members. There is no charge for the golf clinics, golf equipment or the food that follows. Two “ParaMobile” golf carts are also available. Remaining 2024 schedule (all Thursdays): July 11, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 12, Sept. 26 and Oct. 10.
Typical agenda: 5 to 6:30 p.m.: instruction on the range, plus playing as many holes as we can (or desire). A light meal and soft drinks will follow the golf, allowing a few minutes to unwind and talk about our golfing exploits.
Join Button Hole for one clinic or as many as you can attend; they are open to players of all experience levels. To participate, please email(Dwright@buttonhole.org) so they'll have a head count for the food. If transportation is an issue, call Don Wright at (401) 421-1664 and Button Hole can find you a ride.
Also: Veterans can use the range or play nine holes at no charge on any Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. Simply sign in at the Pro Shop.
Calendar
Wednesday, July 17, 6 to 9 p.m., Rhode Island Veterans Social and Networking Event, Crompton Veterans Organization, 37 Hepburn St., West Warwick. Organized by retired Navy veteran Justin Hsu, the event is open to all veterans and anyone who supports the veteran community. Representatives from various local employers, veteran support organizations, and Kasim Yarn, Rhode Island director of Veterans Services, will attend. For details, contact Justin Hsu at rivetsnetwork@gmail.com or register at evite.me/VXnwZVcbT6.
Saturday, Aug. 24, Narragansett Town Beach; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Veteran Surf Session by Soldiers Surf. Equipment (surfboards and wetsuits), surf instruction and lunch are provided to veterans and active-duty service members at no charge. Go to soldierssurf.com to register or volunteer. For further details, email Mike Tubridy at SoldiersSurf@yahoo.com.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans Resource Fair at Schofield Armory, 705 New London Ave., Cranston. Organized by Ocean State Unit 118 of Military Women Across the Nation (MWAN), the event is open to all veterans and their families. Representatives from various providers such as the VA, VA Hospital and Social Security will provide information and answer questions. For details, call retired Col. Patty Ryan at (401) 369-1280 or email her at chefpatty100@gmail.com.
To report the outcome of a previous activity, or to add a future event to our calendar, be aware that the deadline for this Monday column is 5 p.m. the previous Wednesday. Email your details (including a contact name and phone number/email address) to veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com.
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