BURRILLVILLE – At times with hands on hearts, or clasped in prayer, or in a salute, the crowd of dozens gathered on Tuesday morning to remember America’s military veterans at the Burrillville Allied Veterans Council American Legions Post 88 and 17 and VFW Post 1023 annual ceremony. Wintry 40 degree cold winds were blowing at Veterans Park by The Bridgeway in Pascoag, but the biting temperature did not stop people from attending this year’s ceremony.
Burrillville Town Council member Dennis Anderson gave the invocation and benediction.
“In spite of the weather, I was struck by the presence on one of the front row chairs of Ted Hebert, Jr., a former sergeant major of the Rhode Island National Guard for years [who] was the one that directed the color guard when I first attended Burrillville Memorial Day and Veterans Day events,” said Anderson. “At the same time, it did not escape my notice, that some of the World War II and Korean War vets that used to sit in those chairs were missing. Some are actually no longer with us.”
In fact, the days honoring the vets are particularly special to Anderson because he “grew up in an environment of non-negotiable patriotism.”
Anderson’s parents were involved in the VFW. The mother was an honored state president of the Minnesota VFW Auxiliary, and his father served in Korea in 1951-1952.
“He defied death by coming home,” Anderson said.
Of those defying nothing as serious, that is, attending the Veterans Day ceremony despite the cold weather, Burrillville Town Council President Donald Fox said, “That’s very encouraging to see so many came out. Veterans Day always gets a crowd.”
“I’m always always happy to see family and friends honor the veterans,” said Fox. “Dick Peck, Ray Trinque–the whole team–does a great job putting on the annual event. It’s an honor for me to represent the town council.”
VFW Post 88 Commander Raymond Trinque, who works to spearhead the annual ceremonies, expressed similar sentiments.
“We got a really good turnout for 30 degree weather,” Trinque said.
“We’ve been doing it now for as long as anyone can remember,” he said
This year, Burrillville-based Crystal Lake Tavern stepped up to offer free lunch to local veterans, and Trinque said that some three dozen people headed there after the ceremony.
“That was the first time that ever happened and there was immediate response to it,” said Trinque. “It was a nice thing We appreciated it.”
During the ceremony itself, Pascoag-based Thai Wok Street Food brought over tea for those braving the unusually cold weather.
“It was delicious,” Trinque said.
Jerry Leveille, lead guitarist for The Live Music Band, played the National Anthem for the group assembled on Tuesday.
Trinque said such gatherings are important for several reasons.
“One is to recognize the veterans,” he said. “This is more of a celebration of veterans than Memorial Day, which recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This recognizes those who served.”
The number of those who have actually stepped forward to serve their country, Trinque noted, is far less than some might think, at just two percent nationally.
“Burrillville is probably a little higher than the national average,” he said. “It’s a great way to recognize them.”
The second reason, Trinque said, is what such events do to help create a sense of purpose for those involved and the sense of accomplishment the group gets from putting the gathering together. The VFW, he notes, provides support for eight other organizations.
“We put people to work,” he said. “It keeps people busy and it gives people a real opportunity for camaraderie.”
It all ties into the post’s mission, he said, of working to eliminate – or at least reduce – the rate of veteran suicide, “which is very very high.”
At meetings, “I think the meal and the talking and the chit chat is more important than approving the financial report,” Trinque said.
Rhode Island Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz told the group assembled in the frigid air that “freedom has never been free.”
“It has always come with a price –a great price– paid by the courage, sacrifice, and steadfastness of those who chose to serve,” said de la Cruz.
Recalling the past, the senator quoted President Ronald Reagan.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same,” she said, using words of the late former president.
State Representative David Place honored the veterans by, in part, quoting from and elaborating on the poem “May They Not Be Forgotten,” which is on the bronze plaque at the Fireman’s Memorial across from the Harrisville Fire Department
“As firemen, we understand that death’s a card dealt in our hand – a card we hope we never play,” quoted Place.
Place extrapolated that theme to the American veterans of various wars who “held that card” as they did their harrowing and exhausting duties in service to the nation. He thanked their loved ones “who carried that card as well.”
By carrying that card now and always, the flag still flies today, Place said.
