“We want to keep the Memorial Day Parade alive,” Tony Rodrigues said this Monday, looking forward to a strong outcome at the parade next Monday.

Since last week, more than a dozen veterans have contacted Rodrigues in regards to the parade. He is hoping for many more. Rodrigues explained that in prior years veterans have come to the parade without previously calling.

He says that there have been “many different attempts to motivate veterans to join the parade,” in the months leading up to the event. Several groups, such as the Greenwood Fire Department, the Boy and Girl Scouts, Don Rodrigues Karate Academy, dancing schools and four bands from the three schools in Warwick as well as Johnston High School are expected to participate.

“We would like to see some of the younger veterans as well,” Rodrigues said. “They’ll be the future for keeping the veterans organizations going.”

The Lions Club has acknowledged the parade and has decided to loan five antique cars, with the stipulation that one veteran must ride in each car. The cars are located in North Smithfield, and with the lead car already chosen there are about 19 more to pick from.

Members of the club also plan to throw penny candy from the cars to the kids watching the parade. They have been a huge influence on the number of volunteers attending the event.

“It should be a real big parade,” Rodrigues said. “People have contacted us asking for ways they can help.”

He feels that the biggest problem is getting more veterans to participate.

Paul Kelley, another member of the Warwick Veterans Council, agrees with Rodrigues. He is looking for a better turnout this year.

“There are a lot of veterans watching from the curbstone,” he said. “Those people should be in the parade.”

Not too many veterans have participated in the parade in previous years. The veterans who do are typically from the Vietnam or Korea era.

Kelley has made attempts to get two of his own associates, veterans from World War II, to attend. One associate said he could make it, while the other is still undecided.

“It’s sad to see that our stories are slowly dying as we pass away,” said Kelley.

He explained that WWII veterans typically don’t participate but they should never be left out.

“I sure hope I see the veterans Monday morning at Hendricken,” he said. “It’s their parade. They should be the ones waving the flags.”

Kelley is a retired sub-mariner. He is an active member on the Warwick Veterans Council and has been organizing and participating in the parade for several years.

Kelley’s daughter, Christine Kelley, will also be involved, serving as the grand marshal. Kelley was the first female in the Warwick Police Department to achieve the rank of major.

The overall theme of the parade is to remember the veterans who have passed away, those who have served, and the men and women serving today. In Rodrigues’ words, the parade is “a remembrance so the children of today can appreciate the freedoms that came at such a great cost.” He adds that the parade is also meant to show appreciation towards the people who risked their lives to protect our country.

“I never want to see a veterans group treated like we were coming back from Vietnam.” Rodrigues said.

The parade will be run on a $2,750 city appropriation. There is a certain limit to the expenses, but there is not a limit to the amount of veterans or volunteers.

The march is less than a mile long, beginning at Bishop Hendricken High School and ending shortly after Veterans Memorial High School. The parade will assemble at 8:30 a.m. and set off at approximately 9:15.

Rodrigues said, “It is important to recognize the veterans of today. Go to the parade and give the support they deserve.”

He urges veterans to contact any of the four committee members planning the event for further details or just to let them know they will be coming. He can be reached at 737-1909 and 919-8951; Paul Kelley may be reached at 738-1891; James Burrows at 585-5665; and Peter Peckham at 943-2189.