By JEN COWART As has been tradition since the end of World War II, the Hugh B. Bain Middle School community held its annual Memorial Day tribute on Friday, May 24, at 1 p.m. on the front grounds of the school. Members of the Cranston community -
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As has been tradition since the end of World War II, the Hugh B. Bain Middle School community held its annual Memorial Day tribute on Friday, May 24, at 1 p.m. on the front grounds of the school.
Members of the Cranston community – including neighbors and veterans – lined the streets for the ceremony. Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse, Mayor Allan Fung and School Committee member Vincent Turchetta each provided remarks and noted the significance of the day.
The program originally began as a tree dedication on the front lawn of the school for the “Bain Boys” who had given their lives for their country. However, as time went on, and more lives were lost, it became impossible to dedicate a tree for each life lost. The Memorial Day program was created and has become a long-standing tradition.
Over time, the original trees were re-dedicated. Stars were created and placed on the lawn as well, each with the name of a former Bain student who had sacrificed their life for their country. A wreath of laurel is filled with carnations as each name is called.
This year, a new name was added in honor of PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr., who lost his life while serving in the Coast Guard in 2007. Gill’s family, who created the PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation, was honored and given a star in his memory.
Nota-Masse spoke about Gill and Holly Charette, a Marine who died in Iraq in 2005 at the age of 21. The superintendent thanked the Gill family for all they have done for the Cranston community through their foundation, which has raised approximately $300,000 for college scholarships since its creation.
As the solemn ceremony came to a close, Bain student Liliana Lee reminded the school community that those who gave their lives were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers and friends. She also emphasized that although they may not have known those students whose lives were lost, it should not be forgotten that they sat at the same desks and walked down the same halls as those students attending Bain today.
Bain student Liam Ellinwood served as the event’s emcee. Other officials in attendance included Assistant Superintendent Norma Cole, School Committee representatives Michael Traficante and Paul Archetto, Cranston City members Ken Hopkins, Steve Stycos and John Donegan and representatives of the Cranston Teachers Alliance.
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