GLOCESTER – On the steamy summer-like Memorial Day holiday, the veteran, looking pleased and proud, parades down Main Street in Chepachet.
Army Staff Sgt. Bernard Kenahan is beaming, smiling, looking fit. He seems bright as the sun as he strolls at the front of the Glocester Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony.
The 90-year-old resident of Coventry served in Korea, from 1953-54.
After a while, Kenahan jumps into a vintage vehicle, riding for the rest of the short parade.
The driver, Bruce “Rusty” Ferreira – MSG Ferreira – who’s a Burrillville resident, is the owner of the 1952 Dodge M37 military truck, which he enters into auto shows and the parades, such as this one organized by the Glocester Light Infantry R.I.M. Unit.
Several years ago retired Master Sgt. Ferreira, Fox 8, US Army, “connected with Korean war veterans,” and sees to it the vets are strolling in parades, meeting the public.
The scene is high with emotion as parade route onlookers, from the youngest to the oldest, applaud and thank the vets for their service as Kenahan and other vets stroll or ride on by. Some of the onlookers themselves are veterans or loved ones of vets.
The parade, that included such groups as other military members, scouts, police, firefighters, and Colonial-attired participants, proceeded through Chepachet Village.
Wreaths were placed at war memorials along the parade route.
The festive parade was followed by a solemn memorial honoring fallen war veterans at Acote Hill Cemetery where dozens of onlookers stood silent by graves in the summery sun and heat.
Editor’s note: Some of the names have been corrected in photo captions above. We apologize for any confusion the errors may have caused.
