Johnston War Memorial Park serves as a home for the town’s spring and summer sports squads, and as a place for hundreds residents to walk and enjoy year-round.

The park – which Mayor Joseph Polisena often calls “one of the great jewels of Johnston” – is also known for its memorials and monuments. This weekend, those will take center stage.

Polisena issued an open invitation to all town residents to take part in Saturday’s annual Memorial Day Service.

Vin Jackvony, the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator, said the special salute to all veterans will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the park’s grandstand.

“Let’s not forget our heroes,” Jackvony said of the theme that’s attached to this year’s event. “Let our future honor out past. We welcome all Johnston residents, and we encourage people to bring their children.”

Saturday’s event is a combined effort of Polisena’s office and administration, the Johnston Community Center Association (JCCA), the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department, the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post, Johnston Senior High School, the Johnson Police Department, and the Rhode Island National Guard.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, which is headquartered in Johnston at 1010 Hartford Ave., will also participate in Saturday morning’s event. The non-profit will additionally set up a display of 6,000-plus military-style boots at Roger Williams Park in Providence over the weekend as a tribute to those who have worn the uniform.

Jackvony said Saturday’s event will include an emotional bell ringing in honor of the 42 Johnstonians killed in action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Polisena will deliver the keynote address, and military officials will offer remarks. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.

In its ongoing effort to maintain and further expand the park’s Wall of Honor, the parks and recreation department this week issued a reminder to military personnel that they can reserve their place on the wall by purchasing a marble plaque for $150.

Jackvony said the plaques measures six by 12 inches and are available to any person from the six branches of the armed services. For more information, call 401-272-3460. 1

LASTING TRIBUTE:

This is one of the many marvelous monuments inside Johnston War Memorial Park that will be center stage during Saturday’s annual Memorial Day Service. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

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This one-time tank is perhaps the most visited and photographed area of Johnston War Memorial Park that Saturday will play host to an important salute to our heroes.

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Johnston War Memorial Park is home to such plaques – that’s affixed to a huge boulder --- and helps people remember the many Johnstonians who lost their lives protecting our freedom.

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The grandstand area of Johnston War Memorial Park will be the scene of Monday’s annual Memorial Day Service that’s scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.