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Rhode Island WWII vets, civilian home front workers to be honored

October 17, 2021 12:00 am • Last Updated: October 17, 2021 12:38 am

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's World War II veterans and the civilian workers who supported them from the home front are being honored this weekend in Woonsocket with the dedication of a new memorial.

The lighting of the Eternal Flame ceremony that starts at noon on Sunday on River Street is sponsored by American Legion Fairmount Post 85 and funded by the Heritage Harbor Foundation.

The lighting will be done by five World War II veterans, and is the first memorial of its kind in Rhode Island, organizers said.

The program will include speeches, displays of military artifacts, including military vehicles, and a replica of an inflatable rubber Sherman tank like those manufactured in Woonsocket to supply Gen. George Patton’s “Ghost Army” in 1944.

A tribute flyover of vintage military aircraft is also planned, weather permitting.

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