Whitehouse honors 98-year-old WWII veteran from Tiverton

Frank Lennon
·4 min read
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse stands at left while 98-year-old Army veteran Francis Marshall, of Tiverton, shows family and friends the medals and awards he earned during World War II, including three Bronze Star Medals for valor and service, the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous campaign medals.
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse stands at left while 98-year-old Army veteran Francis Marshall, of Tiverton, shows family and friends the medals and awards he earned during World War II, including three Bronze Star Medals for valor and service, the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous campaign medals.

On July 24 at Silver Creek Manor in Bristol, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse presented several World War II medals and awards to 98-year-old Army veteran Francis Marshall of Tiverton. The awards included three Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Marshall joined the Army at 17 and landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944. He fought across Europe and participated in the Battle of The Bulge in December 1944.

“It is an honor to present Mr. Marshall with the military medals he courageously earned during World War II,” said Whitehouse. “So few of the men who were part of that important time in world history are still with us, and we are deeply fortunate to have the opportunity to recognize Mr. Marshall’s service to our country.”

The Bristol Police Department provided an honor guard.

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, right, congratulates Army veteran Francis Marshall for his World War II service as Marshall’s wife, Lois, stands at left.
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, right, congratulates Army veteran Francis Marshall for his World War II service as Marshall’s wife, Lois, stands at left.

File PACT Act claims by Aug. 9 to receive retroactive benefits

The PACT Act makes millions of veterans eligible for VA health care and benefits if they were exposed to toxic substances such as burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, or Agent Orange in Vietnam.

As the VA emphasizes, “While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency.”

Important note: There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits. However, if you file your claim by Aug. 9,  your benefits may be backdated a full year. Veterans who file after Aug. 9 will only be eligible for benefits from the date of their application.

Sept. 30 is another deadline for some post-9/11 veterans. Until that date, the VA assumes that those who served in certain locations were exposed and are thus automatically eligible for benefits. Once you're enrolled, your individual history will dictate your benefits.

You are eligible if any of these conditions apply:

  • You served in a theater of combat during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War and were discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013.

  • You served “in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities” after Nov. 11, 1998.

  • Post-9/11 combat veterans who exited service on or after Oct. 1, 2013, have up to 10 years after their separation dates.

Begin the process at va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction

Outreach sessions are scheduled this week in Warwick and Coventry to help with applications and answer questions about the PACT Act. The City of Warwick is hosting two outreach sessions: Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m. in City Council Chambers and Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. in the Sawtooth Building. Seating is limited so please call (401) 739-8804 to reserve space.

Also on Aug. 8, there will be an Outreach Event in Coventry from 3 to 6 p.m. at VFW Post 9404, 29 South Main St. Questions? Call Joe Janeiro at (401) 365-9178, or email adj@vfwri.org.

Calendar

Monday, Aug. 14; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Meet with a claims representative from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) at Providence Vet Center, 2038 Warwick Ave., Warwick, to assist with Service Connection Claims. Schedule an appointment online at vets.force.com/VAVERA.

Select the location “Warwick Vet Center” (ZIP code: 02889). Walk-ins are welcome, but there may be a wait. For assistance, call (401) 739-0167.

Saturday, Aug. 19; 9 a.m.: Rededication of monument to Brig. Gen. Isaac Peace Rodman, Civil War general and South Kingstown native. Continuation of South Kingstown’s 300th-anniversary celebration; Soldiers’ & Sailors' Monument, Riverside Cemetery, 169 High St., Wakefield. Secretary of State Gregg Amore will speak.

Tuesday, Aug. 22; 4:30 p.m.; Congressional Medal of Honor Bridge Bill Signing Ceremony. Another activity relating to South Kingstown’s 300th anniversary will take place at Old Mountain Field, Kingstown Road, South Kingstown.

Saturday, Aug. 26; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Fourth Annual Calling All Veterans Day, organized by RI Elder Info, at the West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St., West Warwick; plenty of onsite parking. Learn about resources to help aging veterans and family members remain independent and connected with their communities. For details, reach out to deb@RIElderInfo.com; (401) 585-0509 or visit bit.ly/callingvets 

Saturday, Aug. 26; 8 a.m.-1 p.m., free Surfing Clinic at Narragansett Town Beach. VetSurf will provide free surf boards and wetsuits, as well as lunch. Visit VetSurf.org and click on the "participants" tab and fill out the form. This is an adaptive surfing event for veterans of all ages and skill levels. For more information, email Michael at MTubridy@yahoo.com.

To report the outcome of a previous activity, or to add a future event to our calendar, please email the details (including a contact name and phone number/email address) to veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Sen. Whitehouse honors Francis Marshall, 98-year-old WWII veteran