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5/26/2022
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Rep. Vella-Wilkinson, DAV commander to host wreath laying, flag retirement on Memorial Day
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STATE HOUSE — Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick), along with Sal Caiozzo, commander of Chapter 9, Disabled American Veterans, will be hosting a wreath laying and flag retirement ceremony at Warwick Veterans Park next to Warwick Veterans Middle School on Memorial Day.
“Just as there is a protocol to display our nation’s flag, there is also an equally respectful manner to dispose of one,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson, a retired naval officer. “The ceremony is history-laden and quite beautiful. It is a wonderful way to teach children the meaning of Memorial Day rather than relegating it to be merely the start of summer beach days.”
The event will take place on Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m. at the park at Warwick Veterans Middle at 2401 West Shore Road. Veterans who attend are asked to wear a hat, shirt or jacket representing their branch of the service. The general public is invited to bring their old or tattered U.S. flags to be retired as part of the Memorial Day service. To prepare the flag, participants are asked to cut the red and white stripes into strips; the blue field of stars may remain as a solid square.
Memorial Day finds its origins on May 30, 1868. Originally called Decoration Day, it was set aside as a time to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans. The first observance was encouraged by Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. Since 1970, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May, which this year is May 30. By law, U.S. flags fly at half-staff until noon, when they are raised to full-staff.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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