Mellor honored in Rolfe Square ceremony

Posted 10/17/18

Honoring a hero Mayor Allan Fung held a ceremony last Thursday morning to honor Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor

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Mellor honored in Rolfe Square ceremony

TAPS: Playing Taps at the re-dedication of the Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor, KIA plaque last week was Domenic Kaffenberger, a student from Cranston High School West.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

MESSAGE FROM THE MELLOR FAMILY: Pictured is Laura Domenicone, family spokesperson for Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor, KIA, addressed the crowd on Pontiac Ave. during the re dedication of a plaque in his honor.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

DIGNITARIES: RI Representative James Langevin spoke to the crowd that gathered for the re dedication for a plaque for Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor, KIA. Mayor Allan Fung looked on as he had first addressed the crowd.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

CLOSURE: The family of the late Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor, a former Cranston resident who was recently discovered to be killed in action as opposed to missing in action from the Vietnam War. From (l-r) are: Sherri Mancuso, Laura Domenicone, Neil Tact and Gail Zior.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

Posted Thursday, October 18, 2018 11:28 am

Mayor Allan Fung held a ceremony last Thursday morning to honor Air Force Col. Frederic Moore Mellor, a Cranston native and Vietnam war hero whose remains were returned this past month after being missing for 53 years.

Fung said that Mellor was the first Rhode Island casualty in the Vietnam War.

Fung also said that the plaque dedicated to Mellor in Rolfe Sq. had been misspelled and didn’t include his posthumous promotion from Lt. Col. to Col., so they wanted to fix that, and him being found and returned to his hometown provided a meaningful opportunity to do so.

“Freddie’s legacy is one of bravery and commitment to service,” said Fung at the ceremony. “His story has brought out the best in all of us. Last month, when the funeral procession made its way from Nardolillo Funeral Home to his final resting place among his fellow war heroes in Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, students from Bain Middle School and Cranston High School West lined the streets to show their respect. People got out of their cars on the highway to salute. Offices saluted at every intersection. From every corner of this state, people came together to be inspired and reminded of what this country is all about.”