More photos and ceremony content to be added over the next several days.
Thursday, Procession and Blessing
Police and veteran motorcycle escort to Touro Park
Flag Line, Patriot Guard Riders
Patriotic selections, Tiverton High School Band
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Debbie Kane, bagpiper
Posting of the Colors, Newport Police Department
The Pledge of Allegiance, Bill Zelazny from Channing Church
“The Star Spangled Banner,” performed by Patrice Tiedemann, soloist
Blessing of the Wall, Reverend Everett Greene
Moment of Silence
“Amazing Grace,” performed by Debbie Kane, bagpiper
Retiring of the Colors, Newport Police Department
Patriotic selections, Tiverton High School Band
Thursday, Candlelight Vigil
Opening Prayer, Pastor John Owens
“Armed Forces Salute,” performed by Newport Navy Choristers
Missing Man Table, Captain Anselm Richards
“America (My Country “tis of Thee),” performed by Newport Navy Choristers
America the Beautiful
Old Glory Ceremony, Captain Mark Turner & Newport Navy Choristers
Candle lighting in memory of those who died after the war from Agent Orange and other injuries
Reading of the Names Brian Carnes and VVA
Benediction, Pastor Owens
“Echo Taps,” performed by Aidan Languedoc and Andrew Chenier
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn),” performed by Newport Navy Choristers
Friday, September 20, 2019, The Moving Wall Opening Ceremony
Paul Croce
Posting of the Colors, Rhode Island National Guard
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” led by Edward King Singers
Newport Proclamation, Newport Council Vice Chair Susan Taylor
Invocation, Wayne Smith, Vietnam veteran
Guest Speaker: Former Rhode Island Chief Justice Frank J. Williams
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” performed by “The Governor’s Own” 88th Army Band Brass Quintet
Guest Speaker: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
“America the Beautiful,” performed by Edward King Singers
Laying of the Wreath, Barbara Carnes
Benediction, Wayne Smith
“Taps,” performed by “The Governor’s Own” 88th Army Band Brass Quintet
Retiring of the Colors, Rhode Island National Guard
Reading of the Names, Rick Kelly, “Taps”
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Army Corps of Engineers lecture in the Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham Street, Newport
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Recognition
Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs
Honor Guard, Middletown Police Department
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Newport Community Band
Invocation, Chaplain Walter J. Foster
Middletown Proclamation, Paul Croce
Soldier’s Cross Ceremony, Rolling Thunder Rhode Island Chapter 1
Guest Speakers: LTC (Ret.) Peggy Zarek, USN, introduced by Kim Shute
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Newport Community Band
Guest speaker: Daniel Evangelista, Vietnam Veteran
Moment of Reflection
Benediction, Chaplain Walter J. Foster
“America the Beautiful,” performed by Newport Community Band
Reading of the Names, “Taps”
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Recognition
Joseph McGraw
Honor Guard, Portsmouth Police Department
Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus
Invocation, Chaplain Rotunda East
Portsmouth Proclamation,
Guest speaker: Frank Grzyb, Vietnam Veteran
“You Raise Me Up,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus
Guest speaker: John Ciummo, Vietnam Veteran
Benediction, Chaplain Rotunda East
“God Bless America,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus
Reading of the Names, “Taps” by Don Chilton
Monday, September 23, 2019, The Moving Wall Closing Ceremony
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
Kenneth “Buzz” Riley, Vietnam veteran
Color Guard, Artillery Company of Newport
Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
Invocation, Chaplain from the Chapel of Hope, Naval Station Newport
Guest speaker: Rudy Borgueta, Vietnam Veteran
“America the Beautiful,” Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
Welcome Home Quilt Dedication, Flora Jo “Peaches” Dunn
“Ragged Old Flag,” Captain Roger Barnett
Guest speaker: Wayne Smith, Vietnam Veteran
Benediction, Chaplain from Chapel of Hope
“Taps,” Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band