USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

PROVIDENCE, RI - The major veterans picnic scheduled for this coming Sunday afternoon in Warwick has turned out to be more popular than organizers expected. Registration is now closed for this event, which the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation initiated to recognize the service and sacrifices of Rhode Island's former and current soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

"When we first decided to do this, our biggest concern was that we would end up with too small a crowd," observed USS Saratoga Museum Foundation President Frank Lennon. "A good turnout would impress candidates, and would cause them to pay more attention to the issues which are important to veterans and their families.

"So we reached out to the active military as well as every veterans group and organization in the state to help ensure a large turnout, and they all responded--well beyond our expectations."

Due to the overwhelming response, the foundation was forced to close off its telephone, website and e-mail registration as of Wednesday evening. All mail-in registrations that were postmarked by August 23 will also be honored.

Any veteran whose registration request is received too late will still be able to participate vicariously, said Christie Gibson, who is handling the registration process. "We have set aside a number of door prizes just for those unable to attend," she said. "We want to encourage their commitment to our future activities."

"We know that being unable to attend will be frustrating, as many veterans already feel unjustly shut out from many medical and financial benefits that are due them," acknowledged Gibson. "It is ironic that our effort to say 'thank you' to as many veterans as we can simply underscores the problem we are trying to solve: too many veterans, not enough capacity."

Lennon and his group felt badly about having to turn people away, but explained that they are very grateful to the Shriners Buttonwood Youth Center for the use of their private waterfront preserve for the event, and they want to stay on good terms with their hosts.

"The Shriners are very kind to allow us to use their site, and we want to respect their wishes concerning the size of the crowd," said Lennon. "We have promised that there will be no more than 600 of our guests in the facility at any one time."

"Since this is a picnic that runs from 11 to 5, there is a bit more flexibility than with a sit-down dinner," added Bill Sheridan, the Foundation director who is responsible for crowd control, parking and traffic issues. "People will arrive and depart at different times, spreading the crowd throughout the day," he continued. "Nevertheless, only those who have pre-registered will be able to get in."

While causing some headaches for museum management, the prospect of an overflow crowd is music to the ears of elected officials and candidates for office this November.

According to the website of the RI Secretary of State, there are 26 candidates who qualified to be on the ballot in 2006, running for either the US Senate, the US House of Representatives or statewide office.

"As of August 23, twenty-four of the twenty-six have responded and expressed support for what we are trying to do," said Lennon. "Twenty-one candidates have confirmed their attendance, and two others who are unable to attend have promised a contribution to help defray the costs of the day."

Twenty candidates have reserved information tables and are expected to be at the picnic: Senator Lincoln Chafee, Congressman James Langevin, Governor Donald Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, LTG Reginald Centracchio, Guillaume de Ramel, Spencer Dickinson, Rod Driver, Bill Harsch, Kerry King, Mayor Steven Laffey, Jennifer Lawless, Andrew Lyon III, Mayor Ralph Mollis, Sen. Elizabeth Roberts, Jonathan Scott, Carl Sheeler and Sheldon Whitehouse.

Congressman Patrick Kennedy's campaign has also reserved a table, although the Congressman is not expected to be there. Senator Frank Caprio sent his regrets, along with a donation.

Sue Stenhouse and Robert Healey have also said they will attend.

"There is no other single event this election season that will come close to drawing such a large number of candidates," said former US Congressman Bob Weygand, who also chairs the Saratoga Board of Trustees. "This commitment by those running for office speaks volumes to the potential political power of the veterans and their families."

Weygand, who served in the RI General Assembly and as Lieutenant Governor before running successfully for Congress, is well aware of the potential power veterans could wield if they chose to unite behind candidates or issues.

There are about 660,000 registered voters in Rhode Island. But most people don't realize that more than 118,000 Rhode Islanders are veterans, according to the last census. Add in their family members and close friends, and a mobilized group of veterans could easily decide an election.

Perhaps even more importantly, only one state--Florida--has a higher percentage of World War II veterans than Rhode Island.

"If they don't know it already, people running for office should realize that the veteran vote is very important," said Weygand. "They should also understand that certain issues are very important to veterans."
To help crystallize those issues and establish priorities, the Saratoga Foundation hosted a focus group on August 22. (All candidates were also invited to send an observer.) The results of that focus group will be summarized as a "veterans platform" which will be presented to all candidates on Sunday.

"First, we had to reach a consensus on the issues of greatest concern to Rhode Island veterans and their families," said Lennon, "And then make sure our elected leaders are aware of them and commit to fight for them."

That process begins on Sunday.

"This picnic 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.

A brief program will formally kick off the event shortly after noontime, featuring the active military, 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; in their executive capacities (and not as candidates), Governor Carcieri and Lieutenant Governor Fogarty will each acknowledge and thank Rhode Island veterans for their service. Rear Admiral Jacob Shuford, President of the Naval War College, will make a few remarks as an honored guest.

There will be no formal candidate speaking program, although each candidate present during the speaking program will be acknowledged and introduced. Thereafter, every candidate will have the opportunity to meet as many attendees as possible one-to-one in a casual atmosphere. Candidates have been given an option to reserve information tables, but no blatant political or campaign signs will be allowed, and solicitation or collection of campaign contributions at the event is prohibited.

Candidates did not seem to mind the restrictions. Mayor Ralph Mollis, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State said, "Having had 5 uncles serve in World War II and a father serve in the Korean War, I am well aware of the sacrifices our veterans and their families have had to make and continue to make. It is my honor to participate in this well deserved thank-you picnic for our veterans."

"Our military members who have served this country whether home or abroad deserve to be celebrated and thanked for their service and sacrifice. I am proud to support and participate in such an important event," stated Reginald Centracchio, former Commander of the RI National Guard and Republican candidate for Lt. Governor

Senator Elizabeth Roberts, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, agreed. "Our men and women who have defended our freedom do not just deserve our respect and appreciation, they have earned it," she said. "I look forward to continuing my strong support for veterans' benefits in Rhode Island beyond this event."

"Beyond this event" is an important concept to Lennon, Sheridan, Morin and a number of other veterans spearheading this movement. Based on the success of this picnic, Saratoga leadership will consider hosting a veterans forum before the November elections, to which all candidates running for statewide office and the US Congress would again be invited.

"Then we would be able to offer each candidate equal time on the program, so that veterans could know where each candidate stands on issues important to them and their families," said Lennon.

Even though registration is closed, the Foundation is still seeking sponsors willing to contribute picnic meats, water, soft drinks, supplies and the like (or cash to purchase these items). Anyone interested in contributing should 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, signage at the event and mentions during the live program.

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

REMINDER FOR ATTENDEES: Absolutely no pets are allowed!
No alcoholic beverages will be served. Guests may bring their own coolers, but alcohol is discouraged at this family-oriented affair.

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.

http://www.saratogamuseum.org

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Last Updated:
8/24/06