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List of Free November 12 Events
  
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: November 2, 2001
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO KICK OFF VETERANS DAY WEEKEND EVENTS WITH DEDICATION CEREMONY AT WWII VETERANS MEMORIAL STATE PARK ON NOVEMBER 9
Local Veterans Councils Asked to Bring Their Post Colors to the Event; Ceremony Part of Nationwide Renewal of Spirit and Show of Unity

PROVIDENCE - In recognition of the sacrifices World War II veterans have made, the Department of Environmental Management has constructed a new display at World War II Veterans Memorial State Park in Woonsocket that incorporates two demilitarized Howitzer M101A1 guns in its design. On Friday, November 9, DEM will join World War II veterans and national and local officials at a 1 p.m. dedication ceremony for the guns at the Pond Street entrance to the park. The program will feature a Marine Color Guard and the Woonsocket High School Jazz Band.

Local veterans councils from northern Rhode Island, including the American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign War, and Vietnam Veterans of America are being asked to bring their post colors to the ceremony, which is open to the public.

The November 9th program is part of a series of Veterans Day ceremonies taking place in state and federal parks throughout the country, and will kick off Veterans Day events in Rhode Island.

"It is particularly appropriate," said DEM Director Jan Reitsma, "that we are beginning the weekend with a ceremony to honor our veterans from World War II."

In a show of national unity, hope and healing, US Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton has waived entrance fees to all national parks during the Veterans Day weekend, November 10-12. On the local level, dozens of historic sites throughout Rhode Island will open their doors to the public at no charge on Monday, November 12. (See the list of sites at www.rihphc.state.ri.us.) This statewide historic open house is being coordinated by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, the Preservation Society of Newport County, and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in an effort to honor the American values represented by veterans and to bolster the nation's spirit after the tragedy of September 11th.

"We join with our national and state colleagues in urging all Rhode Islanders to take time during the Veterans Day Weekend to visit a state park, other special open space or historic area," Reitsma said. "By connecting with nature in one of Rhode Island's special areas, whether it be at Blackstone Gorge in northern Rhode Island or Black Point in South County, Rhode Islanders can gain strength and peace from our natural surroundings." There is never a charge, Reitsma noted, to visit any of Rhode Island's state parks.

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