BURRILLVILLE – At “the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month,” in 1918 “the ceaseless roar of shells and rata-tat-tat of gunfire” of World War I “that had shaken the western front for four relentless years just stopped,” according to the nationwide Bells of Peace organization that invites communities to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the World War I generation and all veterans.
At the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., Legionnaire John “Jack” Monahan called that war “the hinge which turned the history of the 20th century.” What’s more, he said, “the soldier … is the archetypal citizen soldier, the lineal descendant of the minuteman, aware of his civic responsibility and embracing it.”
At Veterans Park by The Bridgeway in Pascoag, the Burrillville Allied Veterans Council American Legions Post 88 and 17 and VFW Post 1023 on Monday, Nov. 11 was part of the Bells of Peace commemoration of the WWI Armistice, and especially honored local vets of today and yesterday.
At the Pascoag gathering of several dozen honoring those who protected “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” military man George Barber, 98, a WWII Army veteran, said he appreciated the ceremony and its organizers and attendees.
“I am very, very thankful for all the good people behind me all these years,” Barber said. “It’s not easy to live forever,” he joked. “And I have a super duper family.”
Local elected officials and a special guests shared their thoughts with the crowd. The lectern was placed behind the POW-MIA Empty Chair honoring the lost.
Post 88 Commander Ray Trinque under the sunny sky welcomed the crowd of several dozen. Rhode Island Senate Minority Whip Jessica de le Cruz, state Rep. David Place, Town Council President Don Fox, Councilor Dennis Anderson, and special guest Shelby Gosselin were the speakers on the unseasonably warm 68 degree day.
During the event the Pledge of Allegiance was recited; the National Anthem was sung, and a recording of the Lee Greenwood song “Proud to be an American” was played. A gun salute by the Honor Guard VFW Post 1023 and the playing of Taps by the bugler further brought home the message of remembering the veterans.
de le Cruz said she appreciates the veterans, and she urged the crowd to think of how they can support them beyond the annual holiday.
Place noted that some veterans suffer loss of friends, divorce and health problems. Problems people ordinarily experience in their 70s and 80s, veterans might experience in much earlier in life, Place explained.
Fox said his thoughts were especially with the veterans now more than ever with all the conflicts around the world. He pointed not only to the veterans’ sacrifices for their country, but the veterans’ families for their sacrifices.
Special guest speaker 17-year-old Gosselin said of the veterans “they should be recognized every single day,” and she told the audience that they might never know what the veterans have gone through or might continue to go through everyday.
The young woman expressed pride in her veteran family – all from Burrillville – and particularly her grandfather Cmrd. Sgt. Maj. for the Army National Guard Theodore “Big Guy” Hebert, who served in Vietnam and other wars.
He “represent[s] the bravery and courage of what it means to be a veteran,” the granddaughter said.
Herbert is the “greatest man ever” said his friend Virginia Cardone of Burrillville, who, with her sister Julie, waitressed at Serio’s in Woonsocket, serving him as a customer for more than 30 years.
Janis Hebert, the veteran’s wife, agreed that her husband is a great man.
Herbert said about the day’s veteran ceremony: “I’m so proud they still recognize veterans, and more proud my granddaughter is a part of it.”
Shelby’s sister, Mackenzie Gosselin, 19, said she was “so proud” of her sister, her grandfather and the other veterans.
Jess Gosselin of South Kingstown, Shelby’s mother, said “my dad is honored, and it is so well-deserved. He’s not one for accolades and made a great contribution, and to have his granddaughter shine a light is that much more special.”
“I think today is very special for all veterans, and as my daughter [Shelby] said, every day we should be thanking vets for our freedom,” said Eddie Gosselin, a veteran of the Afghanistan war with the Rhode Island Army National Guard. He attended the annual Burrillville ceremony with wife Deanna.
During Anderson’s benediction, he reminded the crowd of unalienable rights shrouded in the Declaration of Independence the basis of the freedom the veterans served to protect, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
