As a cadet and a student, I was only ever familiar with what the Vietnam War was based on what my history teachers would say during class. In my JROTC class before starting the annual service-learning project, we were briefly educated once again, by our Army Instructor, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Murray, about the origin of the war, and the unwelcoming thoughts and actions towards the soldiers after. 

Our 2018-2019 service-learning project was the restoration of the Vietnam Memorial, displayed between the Cranston City Hall and the main building of Cranston High School East. The main goal of this year’s service-learning project was to restore the lost beauty and exhibit the true meaning behind the wounded memorial. With restoring its former glory, we as a class of 2019, had planned out a ceremony unveiling the healed memorial, which was held May 24. I felt that this project was not only honorable but also extremely important to the community.

According to Sergeant First Class John Fellows, unveiling the healed memorial was considered to be “the homecoming many veterans never had.” Of 211 brave Rhode Island soldiers, who fought in the war, along with Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mellor, 11 of whom were from Cranston. With the memorial, it pays tribute to those who fought, who are currently fighting and to those who will continue to fight for our country.