North Kingstown man injured in WW1 honored in Veterans Day ceremony

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Veterans all across Rhode Island were honored Sunday for their service and sacrifice in combat.

This year’s holiday marks 100 years since the end of World War I.

In North Kingstown, residents paid tribute to their service men and women, and the nine who made the ultimate sacrifice in what’s known as the Great War.

“Everybody owes a great debt of gratitude to them because through their efforts and sacrifices, we enjoy the freedoms that we do enjoy.”

Private Jesse Whaley is one of North Kingstown’s veterans. He got his own special honor Sunday.

His sons, Don and Richard Whaley, were presented with a shadow box full of their father’s medals. They say their father never spoke about the war.

“Never said a word about it. I’ve learned more about his war experiences in the last two or three months than I ever have before,” said Don Whaley.

While Whaley wasn’t killed in combat, he was seriously injured while fighting in France.

“Shrapnel from a hand grenade hit him in the right temple and took out his optic nerve,” said Whaley.

That shrapnel permanently blinded Whaley. He never got to see his wife and sons. But that didn’t stop him from being a devoted father, and member of the North Kingstown community.

“He certainly came back, learned brail, and was a very productive citizen. He was active in a lot of organizations and he actually led many of the parades in town, especially on Memorial Day.”

Whaley passed of heart failure at the age of 77, but his legacy will live on in both his family and his hometown.

“I very much appreciate it. I’m sure he’s up there looking down.”

North Kingstown will continue their celebration with a parade in Wickford Village on Monday morning.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018