Rhode Island news
Remembering Pearl Harbor
01:00 AM EST on Monday, December 4, 2006
For 65 years, America has honored those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor, but thousands more lived to fight on, defend freedom, preserve democracy and rally a nation. The Pearl Harbor Survivors Project pays a debt of gratitude to the Pearl Harbor survivors by creating a community to share and immortalize their stories.
Friends and relatives of Pearl Harbor survivors are urged to share their stories online and build a survivor database recording their contributions to that day’s events. An online site is available through The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund at www.pearlharborstories.org for veterans to share and preserve their f history for future generations.
What is known of that tumultuous day is who died, but there is no comprehensive list of who survived the attack on Oahu or where they served, according to George Sullivan, Pearl Harbor Fund director. Survivors and their friends and family can rebuild the personnel rosters by entering their information in the survivor database.
The survivor database allows visitors to select the location of a survivor using an interactive map of Oahu. Once a location is selected, the survivor’s information can be recorded and their stories told. They can also upload memorabilia. They can search for other survivor stories from that location or obtain official records of events from Dec. 7, 1941.
This piece of living history serves as a lasting tribute to Pearl Harbor survivors and preserves history. Loved ones can record their stories by calling a toll-free number, (866) PHSTORY. Once recorded, the stories will be available in an audio file so visitors to the Web site can listen to or download the stories.
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund is raising money to replace the USS Arizona Memorial’s museum and visitor center. The facility, which is in disrepair, will be replaced when money is raised. All survivor stories will be added to the permanent oral history archive and maintained at the new museum. To contribute, visit www.pearlharbormemorial.com and click on the donation link.
On Wednesday, celebration honoring the service of Rhode Island veterans and an observance of the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Salve Regina University Gallery, Mercy Hall, at Lawrence and Leroy avenues in Newport.
Speakers include retired admirals Thomas Weschler and John Salesses of Newport, Lt. Richard Sheffield of Middletown and other World War II veterans. The Rhode Island ROTC color guard will perform and a World War II photography exhibit titled “Through the Eyes of a Soldier” by Air Corps Capt. Dr. Michael DiMaio of Providence will be available.
Films on “D-Day + 62 years: R.I. Veterans Return to Normandy” and “The World War II National Memorial” will be shown. For information, call the gallery at (401) 341-2981. Free parking is available.
Naval Station Newport and Navy Band Northeast’s concert band will present the annual Holiday by the Bay concert on Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Spruance Hall Auditorium at the Newport Naval War College, featuring classic and modern holiday favorites, a sing-along, a reading of Clement C. Moore’s ’Twas the Night before Christmas and an appearance by Santa Claus.
The concert is free. Visitors who do not normally have access to the Naval Station must call (401) 841-3538 to be placed on an admittance list or e-mail their information to pao@nsnpt.navy.mil. Enter throughgate one. A photo identification is required.
Donations in the form of new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, and canned and nonperishable food for the Naval Station holiday food drive will be accepted at the concert.
The Providence VA Medical Center, at 830 Chalkstone Ave., continues its flu and pneumovax clinics for enrolled veterans already under its care on in the ambulatory care/FIRM waiting area from noon to 6 p.m. Appointments are not necessary. Spouses are not eligible to receive the flu shot. The final clinic will be held on Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call the VA at (401) 457-3336.
Sub vets Groton
UBVETS Groton will meet today at its clubhouse, 40 School St., Groton, Conn., at 6:30 p.m. A Christmas party and turkey dinner will be held Sunday at the clubhouse. Reservations must be made by Thursday by calling John Carcioppolo at (860) 464-8770.
Fleet Reserve Association
Blackstone Valley Branch 132 meets tonight at 7 at VFW Post 306, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket.
Marine Corps League
The Higgins Detachment meets tonight at the Mainstay Inn, 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd., Newport, at 7. The Kent County Detachment will meet Wednesday at VFW Post 449, Providence St., West Warwick, at 7 p.m.
VFW, auxiliary
Members of Leclair Kozlik Logan Bassett Post 6342 are invited to a Christmas dinner tomorrow at 98 School St., Forestdale, at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting.
NUSC/NUWC
The group will meet Wednesday at McGovern’s restaurant, 310 Shove St., Fall River, at noon. Admission costs $13 and door prizes will be awarded.
Military Police Regimental Association
Rhode Island chapter members will gather on Wednesday at the Greenwood Inn, 1350 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, for dinner (optional) at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting at 7.
Disabled American Veterans
Chapter 1 Folcarelli Post will meet Thursday at VFW Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, at 6:30 p.m.
American Legion and Auxiliary
Because of reorganization, Post 12, SAL and auxiliary groups will meet at Downey Weaver Post 34 in Shannock on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 325 will meet on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at 1958 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale.
Military Officers’ Association
Narragansett Bay Chapter will have its annual Christmas dinner party on Friday at Chianti’s restaurant in East Greenwich at 6 p.m. with a $10 gift exchange. Reservations must by made by today by calling Fred at (401) 364-8969.
Retired Enlisted Association
Narragansett Bay Chapter 79 will meet at noon.on Saturday at The Atlantic Beach Club, 53 Purgatory Rd., Middletown, just north of the Newport Beach carousel at the traffic light.
American Gold Star Mothers
The Greater Rhode Island Chapter will meet Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at North Kingstown Free Library off Boone Street. Relatives of soldiers who were casualties or were captured or are missing in action during any armed conflict are welcome to attend.
VFW, auxiliary
Kelley-Gazzerro Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, will meet on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI, 02902.
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