Veterans Voice: Catching up on noteworthy news and RI events for vets
Having written this column for five months now, a couple of things have become clear.
First, there are far more stories to tell than there is space in which to publish them!
Next, a number of newsworthy items have fallen by the wayside because they were too long to be included as an event or calendar item, and too short to be a column. Finally, we have also missed out on reporting short blurbs about individual achievements or activities.
Starting with today’s column we are going to try to fix that.
From now on, the first column of each month will be dedicated to catching up on such newsworthy material. It will also include an expanded calendar of events and activities, looking forward several weeks at a time.
The calendar listings in the rest of the columns each month will be limited to events taking place that coming week.
So let’s get to it!
North Providence High School adds Air Force JROTC program
North Providence High School will soon join the ranks of schools with a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. In a story first reported by Nicole Dotzenrod of the Valley Breeze, the Air Force has confirmed the establishment of the program, which will be set up this summer.
According to Wayne Talbot, this culminates an effort that began when he was named assistant principal 12 years ago. His efforts received a boost when Charles Pollock, a military veteran, was elected to the School Committee and became a strong advocate for the initiative.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard each operate their own version of a JROTC program for high-school students. The Air Force program operates in more than 870 high schools worldwide, with more than 125,000 cadets enrolled. There is one other Air Force unit in Rhode Island; it is at Woonsocket High School.
JROTC cadets are not under any obligation to join the military, and those involved insist it is not a military preparation class. According to Col. Steve M. Smith, director of the Army JROTC, only about 20% of all JROTC participants go on to join the Armed Forces. However, anyone who completes three years will earn a certificate of completion and will be eligible to enter the military at a higher rank and pay grade should they choose to enlist.
Col. Johnny R. McGonigal heads the Air Force Junior ROTC program worldwide. He emphasizes that the program “is designed to educate and train high-school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill personal responsibility, character and self-discipline.”
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Aspen Dental to provide free care to veterans
On Saturday, Aspen Dental’s eighth annual Day of Service, some 500 Aspen locations nationwide will open their doors to provide no-cost dental care for veterans, According to a company news release. Aspen Dental teams will focus that day on treating the most urgent dental needs.
Veterans can call (844) 277-3646 to find a location and schedule an appointment; advance appointments are required. Aspen offices in Rhode Island are in Johnston, North Smithfield and Warwick. As of Friday, appointments were still available.
As most veterans know, dental care is difficult to come by through the Veterans Administration. They are not eligible for dental benefits unless they are 100% disabled, have a service-related mouth injury, or were a prisoner of war.
Aspen reports that it has donated more than $23 million in dentistry services since 2014 to more than 30,000 United States military veterans and people in need.
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Women Veterans Day
Sunday, June 12 is Women Veterans Day, an initiative to honor women who have served in our military and to recognize the unique challenges they have faced. Eleven states have passed legislation or issued proclamations formalizing local acknowledgment. The states include New York and New Jersey, although no New England states have signed on yet.
Resolutions have been introduced in Congress to have June 12 officially recognized as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day."
The purpose of the resolution is to address "the disparities in care, recognition and benefits that our women veterans receive" and to "highlight the growing presence of women in the Armed Forces and the National Guard; and pay respect to women veterans for their dutiful military service."
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Company A, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry deployment ceremony
On Memorial Day morning, dignitaries, families and friends gathered in the hangar of the Army Aviation Support Facility at Quonset to say goodbye to the 99 members of A/1/182 who are deploying to the Mideast.
Gov. Dan McKee, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Treasurer Seth Magaziner were all on hand to wish the departing soldiers well.
Veterans Affairs Director Kasim Yarn, Adjutant Gen. Christopher Callahan, Land Component Cmdr. Andrew Chevalier, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Wong and Command Chief Warrant Officer Thomas McNulty also participated.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars provided doughnuts and coffee, while the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve group manned an information table.
The Rhode Island Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars also was on hand. That organization (of which I am a part) has “adopted” Company A, and will work to support the unit’s Family Resource Group while the service members are overseas.
Veteran interview day at Narragansett High School
Some 100 students in the Junior History Project spent the morning of May 27 listening to veterans and learning what it is like to serve. Most of these youngsters had no immediate family who have been in the military, so it was an eye-opening experience for them.
Teacher Dave Cannon coordinated the project, whose purpose is to offer high schoolers insight into what these men and women have done for their country — and also about the work many of them continue to do to support fellow veterans.
The students heard from three Vietnam veterans, who answered questions about Agent Orange and the negative reception they received upon returning home. Veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan also participated. Two were female veterans, one of whom served as a combat medic.
The veteran participation was coordinated by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 152, North Kingstown.
Providence Clemente Veterans' Initiative graduation
On May 26, the Providence Clemente Veterans’ Initiative (PCVI) held a virtual commencement ceremony. Approximately 60 people joined in to celebrate the graduation of 11 scholar-veterans.
The program began in 2019; faculty from UMass-Dartmouth, URI and the Rhode Island School of Design teach the course.
“We use history, philosophy, art, literature and theater to explore the experience of military service and homecoming, from the ancient Greeks to the present,” said Mark Santow, chairman of the history department at UMass-Dartmouth, who directs the program.
This year’s graduates are a diverse group. Navy, Army and Marines Corps veterans, enlisted, NCOs and officers; they served in Vietnam, Bosnia, Desert Storm and the post-9/11 conflicts.
“Some spent only a year or two in the military, while others made it a multi-decade career,” said Santow. “Some went to college, while others didn’t.”
Funded by grants, the initiative serves veterans from Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, and all materials are provided free. Graduates are eligible to earn up to six credits from Bard College, which are transferable to any university in the country.
The fifth year of the program will start in mid-September.
Classes are on Zoom Monday/Thursday nights, 6 to 8 p.m. It's free, and all vets are welcome, regardless of rank, discharge status, education or deployment. To apply, visit pvdvets.org, or email Santow at pvdclementevets@gmail.com
Rhode Island Gold Star Families Memorial Monument dedication
On May 15, some 155 Gold Star families from World War II, Vietnam, Beirut and the Global War on Terror participated in this dedication.
More than 500 guests witnessed the unveiling of the Rhode Island Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. The entire state leadership attended, along with the state’s congressional delegation.
Vella-Wilkinson receives Verrazano Day 'Person of the Year' award
Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson, D-Warwick, is the first female veteran to be named Verrazano Day “Person of the Year” in the 60-year history of the award. A retired naval officer, she was honored May 21.
“Representative Vella-Wilkinson was nominated by the Italian American War Veterans for her unwavering support of all veterans and her community,” said John Cianci, chairman of the Department of Rhode Island Italian American War Veterans.
“I nominated her for all she does for women veterans,” said Linda D’Andrea Peck, a Gulf War-era veteran who is veteran service officer for the Town of Burrillville. “She understands the challenges women veterans continue to face and has never turned her back on any of us.”
Calendar
Saturday, Rhode Island National Guard Retirees’ Association monthly meeting, Schofield Armory, 705 New London Ave., Cranston, guest speaker to be determined. 9 a.m., coffee, 10 a.m. meeting.
Sunday, First annual rib cook-off, Sgt. Adam S. Deciccio Warwick Memorial Post 272 VFW, 840 West Shore Rd., Warwick. 7 a.m. start, judging at 3 p.m. Contact Sal Capirchio (401) 261-3034, or Ray Denisewich at (401) 644-8066.
June 18, 9 a.m., learn to fly fish at Deer Creek Farm in Foster. Dare to Dream Ranch and DEM‘s aquatic resource education office offer a one-day course for veterans and families on how to tie flies and fly fish. All tying materials and fishing equipment provided. To register call Cyndi, (401) 871-2332. Vet Center eligibility required.
June 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., third annual Calling All Veterans Day; 2111 Plainfield Pike, Johnston (Plainfield Pike Flea Market, plenty of onsite parking.) Rhode Island Elder Info sponsors this event, which provides information and resources to help seniors remain independent and connected with the community. Email Deb@RIElderInfo.com or call (401) 585-0509.
June 25, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Battle Buddy Retreat, Dare to Dream Ranch, 12 Snagwood Rd., Foster. Exchange experiences, resources and tactics to live life to its fullest; archery, hiking, yoga, tai chi and equine therapy provided. Call Dare to Dream Ranch, (401) 919-2059.
To report the outcome of a previous activity, or add a future event to our calendar, email the details (including a contact name and phone number/email address) to veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Veterans Voice: Catching up on noteworthy news for vets
