USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

Contact: USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.
      Frank Lennon
      (401) 831-8696
      saratogamuseum@aol.com

Saratoga Foundation Announces Veterans Appreciation Picnic

Former Red Sox ballplayers will help introduce Ted Williams airplane to Rhode Island at this free August 27 event; sponsors sought for picnic food, non-alcoholic drinks, supplies and door prizes

"So many of our veterans events are somber affairs," observed USS Saratoga Museum Foundation President Frank Lennon. "Memorial Day, Veterans Day--we're all at cemeteries remembering and honoring our dead. This time, we want to celebrate the accomplishments of the living and those who support them. Let's make it a positive, upbeat and fun day."

In this spirit, there will be cookout food available to all registered veterans, serving military and their families. Others may join in the celebration, but they should bring their own picnic food and drink, and let us know they are coming.

One of the attractions of the picnic will be the fuselage and engine of the Ted Williams airplane, an F9F Panther similar to the one flown in combat by the Red Sox slugger during the Korean War. The Boston Red Sox organization and the Red Sox Foundation are supporting the restoration of this aircraft as the centerpiece of a satellite Ted Williams Museum planned for the North Kingstown area. A number of former Red Sox ballplayers will also be on hand to welcome the plane's return to Rhode Island, to include Dick Drago, Skip Lockwood and Mike Stenhouse--along with former Red Sox GM (and retired Navy Captian) Lou Gorman.

Also on display will be Medal of Honor recipient John Finn's beautifully refurbished 1938 Ford sedan, a replica of the car driven to his battle station at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The 97-year-old Finn and his car were the hits of the recent Bristol 4th of July parade.

Admission is free for all veterans, serving military, and their families, although organizers are asking guests to pre-register to help make sure there is enough food, drink and picnic supplies on hand. Those who sign up will also be eligible for some fabulous door prizes that will be given out throughout the day, to include Red Sox memorabilia, event tickets, products and gift certificates donated by area merchants.

"Since this is a free event, it's difficult to gauge attendance," said Christie Gibson, the Saratoga Foundation's event coordinator. "Those desiring to join us will be able to sign up by e-mail, by fax, by phone or on our website. Registering at the event is also possible, but if we are oversubscribed the food will be available first to those who pre-register," she explained.

Sponsors willing to contribute picnic food, water, soft drinks, condiments, paper supplies and the like (or cash to purchase these items) are asked to call Bob Albee at (401) 996-0852, or e-mail bobalbee@saratogamuseum.org. Appropriate sponsorship recognition will be given in the form of mention in press releases and advertising, banners at the event and mentions during the live program.

Donors willing to contribute door prizes should also call Christie at (401) 398-1000.

"Although we have taken the lead, this is not a Saratoga event," said Lennon. "We are reaching out to the active military as well as every veterans group and organization in the state to help ensure a large turnout."

That potential turnout has already drawn the attention of a number of elected officials and others vying for office this fall. As Lieutenant Governor Fogarty wrote, "[This picnic] sounds like an excellent idea." The Democratic candidate for governor added, "I think all of the statewide candidates would appreciate this opportunity."

Organizers reason that a good turnout will impress candidates, and will cause them to pay more attention to the issues which are important to veterans and their families.

Lennon reminds everyone, however, that the main purpose of the day is to recognize and thank all Rhode Islanders who have ever served in the military. The second purpose is to acknowledge the sacrifices being made today by Rhode Island Guardsmen, Reservists and their families, and the hardships that many are enduring as a result.

"To overcome many of the hardships, we must identify the issues of greatest concern to our veterans and their families," said Lennon, "And then make sure our elected leaders are aware of them and commit to fight for them."

As a result, all candidates running for statewide office and the US Congress have been invited to participate. To protect everyone's non-profit or tax-exempt status this is a totally nonpartisan event, and the organizers will take no stand for or against any candidate.

"While the main purpose of the day is to say 'thank you', we would be foolish not to take advantage of this opportunity to impress upon our political leaders that veterans are a powerful group whose support (or opposition) could have an impact," said Bill Sheridan, Saratoga Foundation Director.

Public officials and candidates have been quick to recognize the importance of this event. As of August 8, positive reactions and/or commitments to attend have come from Governor Carcieri, Lieutenant Governor Fogarty, Senator Chafee, Congressman Langevin, Congressman Kennedy, Mayor Laffey, Sheldon Whitehouse, Carl Sheeler, Bill Harsch, Kerry King, LTG Centracchio, Guillaume de Ramel, Sue Stenhouse, Spencer Dickinson, Mayor Mollis, Jennifer Lawless, Robert Healey and Sen. Elizabeth Roberts.

"This is a great opportunity for veterans to make sure candidates for elected office are aware of the issues of most concern to us and our families. We are a group they should listen to, if for no other reason than that we vote," said Vietnam combat veteran Steve Morin of North Kingstown.

Cranston mayor and Republican US Senate candidate Stephen P. Laffey seemed to agree, noting in his acceptance: "We owe our veterans and active personnel a lot, and we should do whatever we can to help them."

Spencer Dickinson, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, summed up the spirit of the picnic when he responded, "I hope some young people will come to this event... Not just to show appreciation to the veterans, but to talk to them and learn how every one of them has a sense not just of pride, but of satisfaction and accomplishment about their service."

Tom Shevlin, campaign manager for Bill Harsch, Republican candidate for Attorney General, echoes that sentiment: "[The picnic] sounds like a fantastic idea, and you can certainly put Bill down as a 'yes' on the RSVP list."

There will be no formal candidate speaking program. This will give every candidate the opportunity to arrive and depart on his or her own schedule, and to meet as many attendees as possible one-to-one in a casual atmosphere. Candidates have been given an option to purchase information tables, but no political or campaign signs will be allowed, and solicitation or collection of campaign contributions at the event is prohibited.

Participating campaigns will be asked (but are not required) to make a contribution to help defray the expenses of the day. They have also been asked to provide volunteers to help man cooking grills and otherwise help with setup and breakdown of the event.

A brief program will formally kick off the event shortly after noontime, featuring the active military, veterans organizations and the Chairman of Saratoga's Board of Trustees, former Congressman Bob Weygand. Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian will also be on hand to welcome attendees to his community.

NOTES FOR ATTENDEES: Absolutely no pets are allowed!
No alcoholic beverages will be served. Guests may bring their own coolers.

USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. has mounted a grass roots, volunteer effort to create a non-profit family attraction, educational center, museum and memorial at the former Quonset/Davisville naval complex in North Kingstown, featuring the aircraft carrier Saratoga as the centerpiece. The State has reserved pier space at Davisville subject to the Foundation's ability to raise $10 million by May 1, 2007.