A television documentary featuring Tom Kimmel, oldest living grandson of the late Adm. Husband Kimmel, who, along with Army Gen. Walter Short, was blamed by some for not anticipating the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, will share the latest documentation that the Roosevelt Administration knew in advance when and where the Japanese air force would attack the United States.

Although Admiral Kimmel had no more reason than anyone else to believe Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was a possible Japanese target, a scapegoat had to be found to appease public outrage. He avoided a probable court-martial when he requested early retirement.

His 1955 autobiography made it plain that he believed President Roosevelt sacrificed him and his career to take suspicion off himself. Kimmel believed Roosevelt knew Pearl Harbor was going to be bombed, although no evidence has ever been brought forth to support his allegation.

The documentary, titled “Pearl Harbor: The story within the story,” will be seen on Sunday on Rhode Island statewide interconnect Public Access channel 13 A-COX, and channel 32-VERIZON, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tom Kimmel is a notable Pearl Harbor scholar and former FBI agent. His grandfather was the commander of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack.

Bills protecting veterans’ memorials become law

Two recently enacted laws sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Bristol, Portsmouth) aim to ensure that memorials of veterans are given the respect they deserve.

One of the approved bills caps the amount a cemetery can charge for the installation of a Department of Veterans Affairs plaque on a grave at $75, and it widens the scope of a law that prohibits defacing monuments, especially those honoring veterans.

According to Gallison, the legislation capping plaque installation fees was necessary because the charge varies from one cemetery to another, with some charging upward of $150 for the service. The bill was signed into law by Governor Carcieri on Nov. 9.

The other bill expands the law banning the defacing of a public monument to include covering a public statue or monument. Gallison said he sponsored the law mainly to protect veterans’ monuments from being covered up. Anyone who defaces or covers a public monument would be subject to fines of up to $500 and up to a year in prison. For more information, call Gallison at (401) 253-1852.

Country band to perform for veterans in December

Thanks to some local veterans’ connections to the popular music scene, a country band named Wild Bill Corey has offered to visit Rhode Island in December to perform free concerts for veterans at the Providence VA Medical Center on Chalkstone Avenue and at the Veterans’ Home in Bristol.

Two free shows have been tentatively scheduled for Dec. 11 at the VA Medical Center, at 10 a.m. in the lobby and at 3 p.m. in the auditorium, and on Dec. 16, at 2 p.m., at the Bristol home.

Corey and his manager would also like to do a public concert and donate the profits from ticket sales to support local veterans’ programs. They need a venue to perform at low or no cost to maximize the proceeds.

Anyone interested in providing a concert site should call the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs at (401) 222-2933. Although a concert date will depend on site availability, the band would like to do it sometime between Dec. 11 and 16.

Flag-raising ceremony dedicated to veterans

A flag-raising ceremony will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, in Providence’s Eagle Square to honor our nation’s veterans.

The Feldco Development Corp., along with representatives from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will conduct the ceremony next to the Uncas Building, at 623 Atwells Ave. The keynote speaker will be Providence Mayor David Cicilline along with City Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo and Providence VA Medical Center director Vincent Ng.

Meetings

NUSC/NUWC retirees group will meet Wednesday at McGovern’s Restaurant, 310 Shove St., Fall River, at noon; donation is $17 and door prizes will be awarded.

American Legion and Auxiliary Post 39 will meet Wednesday at The Neighborhood Guild, Columbia Street, Peace Dale, at 7 p.m.; Armstrong-Gladding Post and Unit 69 will meet Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Marine Corps League Kent County Detachment will meet Wednesday at VFW Post 449, Providence Street, West Warwick, starting at 7 p.m. All active, retired, or discharged Marines and Navy corpsmen are welcome at monthly meetings.

Sampson Air Force Base Vets Association will have an organizational meeting for new and prospective members from Rhode Island and Massachusetts on Thursday at 1 p.m., at Denny’s Restaurant on Route 2 in Warwick. For more information call Bob Diner at (401) 921-4555.

Destroyer Escort Sailors Association will have a luncheon meeting open to all DE and frigate sailors on Dec. 10 at Timmy’s Bay One Restaurant in Oakland Beach in Warwick, at noon. Reservations must be made by Friday by calling Roland at (508) 763-5575.

The Military Officers’ Association of America Narragansett Bay Chapter will have its annual Christmas gala with a steamship buffet dinner on Dec. 11 at Pelly’s 19th Hole Restaurant in North Kingstown, starting with a social hour at 6 p.m. For $30 ticket reservations call Bob Mason by Friday at (401) 294-4824. Donations for Fisher House will be accepted that night.

VeteransColumn@verizon.net