Guest columnist

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In 1974, the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission created a veterans committee to honor those who served.

The committee's primary focus became the development of the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

Webster M. "Ted" Pidgeon, a WWII veteran, led the committee and used his conservation experience to shape the cemetery's design.

The author hopes the current 250th anniversary commission will similarly give veterans a prominent role in commemorations.

In 1974, when I assumed the volunteer chairmanship of the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission (ri76), via appointment from Gov. Philip Noel, I immediately attempted to expand the membership and activities of the commission by creating new committees in such areas as ethnic/heritage (with 18 ethni

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