EAST PROVIDENCE — By unanimous 5-0 vote, the East Providence City Council at its Tuesday, Oct. 20, meeting approved a resolution naming the new war memorial on the grounds of Squantum Woods as “Veterans Memorial Park at Squantum Woods.”
The resolution, brought to the floor by At-Large Councilwoman Tracy Capobianco, formally bestows a monicker on the area, which continues to be improved upon since it moved to its current location from its old home on Massasoit Avenue adjacent to the Henderson Bridge connector.
Glenn Maciel, who along with John Rebello III helped form the East Providence Battle Monuments Foundation, Inc. and who have been instrumental in the upgrade of several memorials across the city, thanked the Council for its vote and its financial contribution to the new site. The Council previously approved the allocation of a small sum of city money for use literally to help lay the footings of Squantum Woods memorial.
Formerly known as “Garden of Flags,” Mr. Maciel, himself a veteran, told the Council the old Massasoit site had become unfeasible to conduct remembrance services, especially due to its lack of access and parking. There was also miscommunication between several parties in terms of the site’s upkeep.
The Sqauntum site has been seen as the preferred, ideal location by many for the memorial, which now includes five new flag poles and four stones recognizing East Providence soldiers killed in the Vietnam War as a VFW plaque honoring all those who lost their lives in the Southeast Asia conflict. Mr. Maciel noted 18 city residents died during the war.
The Battle Monuments Foundation has previously spearheaded improvements to the gates at Pierce Stadium among other sites. Mr. Maciel said another location on the group’s agenda is the memorial at Riverside Square.
“We’re trying to take some of the burden off the city,” Mr. Maciel said, noting the source of most of the money for the projects taken up by the Battle Monuments Foundation is private donations.
The full resolution reads as follows:
“RESOLUTION NAMING VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AT SQUANTUM WOODS
“WHEREAS, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans has been demonstrated through the patriotic commitment and sacrifice of many veterans from the City of East Providence; and
“WHEREAS, East Providence veterans are owed a great debt for serving in defense of this nation; and
“WHEREAS, those sacrifices of our veterans have ended in permanent injury or death, yet their spirit remains in the continued promise and perseverance of liberty for all the oppressed individuals throughout our world; and
“WHEREAS, in honor of these dedicated citizens of East Providence, the City Council of the City of East Providence wishes to memorialize the enduring efforts of our veterans in preserving the site off Veterans Memorial Parkway at Squantum Woods as a lasting symbol to the principles of freedom and democracy.
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, it is hereby decreed by the City Council of the City of East Providence that this land be named and known forevermore as: VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AT SQUANTUM WOODS”
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