One of Johnston’s most meaningful and memorable memorial events will be held on Saturday morning Aug. 14, at the Graniteville Veterans Monuments located next to the Johnston Fire Department’s Station No. 2 off Putnam Pike on Route 44.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the Graniteville World War II Veterans Association will remember — as messages atop the five well-maintained monuments so well state — “Our young men and women from the village who served with honor in the United States Armed Forces during World War II and the Korean War.”

“This will be our 21st year honoring our Graniteville World War II veterans,” said Marie Carlino, secretary for the non-profit’s Board of Trustees. “This is also a ceremony for their relatives and friends to commemorate VJ-Day together at the monuments.”

A total of 175 deceased veterans will be honored during the traditional pomp and circumstance ceremony including the Pledge of Allegiance, prayers, placement of wreaths and flowers as well as three special readings to honor Julio Rotondo, reflect upon Pearl Harbor and honor the 11 Graniteville residents who were killed in action.

That list, which was supplied by the Graniteville Veterans Foundation, includes: Ralph “June” Bridges, John K. Burrows, Walter Charbonneau, Alfred Chartier, Raymond Draper, George Harrington Jr., William Hickey, Raymond J. Heather Jr., James Paterson, Joseph Roy Searle and William Thorpe Jr.

Tony Carlino will, as he has done in recent years, deliver the event’s greeting as well as serve as Master of Ceremonies. Marie Carlino-Butera will offer the special reading about Rotondo, a long-time Johnstonian who lived just a few months shy of his 101st birthday and Steven Morra will speak about the 11 Graniteville natives who were killed in action.

The event will also include a remembrance of the four foundation founders — Sylvia Forest, Angelo Casale, William Northup and Bob Jackson — who like other veterans are remembered in Graniteville Went to War (a special book that also serves as a lasting tribute for those veterans who served the country with honor).

In addition to Marie Carlino, the group’s Board of Trustees that has planned the tribute, includes: Laure Charnley-Panicucci, chairperson; Karen Lee Casale and Donald Catley.

There will be limited seating under the canopy tent although people are urged to bring their own lawn chairs that can also be set up inside Monument Park, which is also located at the corner of Mathewson Street and Putnam Pike.

The Johnston Historical Society Museum Barn will be open after the ceremony for light refreshments and viewing the exhibits. Officials have asked attendees to practice social distancing and bring a mask. If someone is fully vaccinated, he or she does not have to wear a mask.