Veterans Day events being held in Southern New England

PLAINVILLE, Mass. (WLNE) — It’s a special day as communities across Rhode Island and Massachusetts gather to honor veterans.

The federal holiday is celebrated every year on November 11, which is the anniversary of the end of World War I one more than a century ago.

The Veterans Day Salute to Service Flag Garden is now on display at the James Humphrey House, honoring over 1,000 service members with connections to the town.

Over 800 flags have been placed across the front yard, representing the men and women who fought for the United States.

According to Plainville’s Historical Commission, the oldest vets from the area date back to King Phillip’s war in the 1600s.

The Flag Garden is open to the public, and also shares the names of Plainville’s heroes.

Today at 11 a.m., volunteers will gather to ring the Plainville School Bell in a traditional ceremony.

The garden will be up until early December.

In North Kingstown

The commemoration starts at 9 a.m. with a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, followed by the annual parade at 10 a.m.

The parade will travel throughout Wickford Village and end at North Kingstown High School for a ceremony at 11 a.m. complete with a keynote address, a moment of silence, and the bugle call of “taps.”

A resource fair and blood drive will also be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Cold Spring Community Center.

Both events provide a wonderful opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country.

In East Providence

Governor Dan McKee will join other state officials for a Veterans Day event.

The ceremony recognizes all veterans, but specifically two local veterans.

It’s happening at the Garden of Flags on Veteran’s Memorial Parkway in Riverside at 11 a.m.

In New Bedford

The city of New Bedford has announced some road closures along with its Veterans Day Parade.

The parade starts this morning at 11 a.m. at Buttonwood Park and will travel up Union Street, County Street, and William Street before a closing ceremony at the city’s public library.

Detours around the parade route will be posted but officials say commuters should expect delays in the area.

In East Bridgewater

A local butcher shop is marking this Veterans Day with quite the giveaway.

Crochetti’s Oakdale Packing Company in East Bridgewater will be giving away turkeys to every veteran that attends, on a first come first served basis.

The giveaway will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. this afternoon in the parking lot of Crocetti’s.

In Pawtucket

The  city’s Veterans council will hold a ceremony marking Veterans Day.

Members of the Pawtucket City Council and delegation will join veterans for the ceremony, at 11 a.m. at the council chambers.

In Cranston

Senator Jack Reed will serve as the Grand Marshal of Cranston’s Veterans Day Parade.

The parade route will begin in front of Legion Bowl on Park Avenue bowl, pass by Cranston City Hall, proceed down Hayward Street, and then finish on Rolfe Street.

Immediately following the parade procession, there’ll be a ceremony at the Cannon Memorial, across from the Park Theater, with greetings to be delivered by Mayor Ken Hopkins.

The parade is set to begin this morning at 11:30 a.m.

In Bristol

Senator Jack Reed will be joined by federal, state, and local officials for the state of Rhode Island’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.

Reed is set to deliver remarks at the ceremony, which is located at the Rhode Island Veteran’s Home on Metacom Avenue at 2 p.m.

Dozens of veterans, members of various Elks Lodges around Southern New England, elected officials, and community members will gather for the third annual Rucking for Roofs, a 24-mile walk from Bristol to East Providence.

The walk will raise money for homeless veterans across the state, which organizer Matt Vianna said affects hundreds of Rhode Islanders.

In East Greenwich

The town of East Greenwich will continue their annual Veterans Day parade tradition.

The parade will begin from Academy Field and wind through the historic district.

There will also be a brief  wreath-laying ceremony near the World War II memorial on the corner of Cliff Street.

The parade will then proceed north on Main Street to the East Greenwich Town Hall for closing ceremonies which will include a flyover by the 143rd Airlift Wing, R-I Air National Guard out of Quonset Point.

The parade will begin this morning at 10 a.m.

In Westport

The annual Veterans Day ceremony is set to kick off with their ceremony indoors at the Annex Gym.

They’ll be honoring those who served in the united states armed forces, including the hundreds of veterans who currently call Westport home.

That ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. this morning.

In Woonsocket 

Woonsocket Mayor Chris Beauchamp will be holding the city’s annual Veteran’s Day observance at 11 a.m. at the United Veteran’s Council Armed Forces Park on Davison Avenue.

In Boston

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey will also host a Veteran’s Day Ceremony.

There will be a Prisoner of War remembrance candle lighting , a presentation of a valor award, and a performance of “taps.”

That program will be at 11 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House.