The late Lester Lombardi Sr. of Warren served in World War II with an Army military police company that was credited with removing 400,000 German prisoners from the battlefields of Europe.

Maj. Lombardi was also the first commanding officer at the Warren National Guard Armory when it opened in 1954.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Lester Lombardi Jr., known to all as Butch, will talk about his father’s military exploits. Butch’s talk will begin a new tradition on Veterans Day in Warren by looking at the combat experiences of Warren’s unsung heroes.

“So many men and women from Warren did so much, but so little is known of their contributions and sacrifices,” said Dave McCarthy, commander of American Legion Post 104 of Warren and the master of ceremonies for Saturday.

McCarthy cited the town’s late police chief, James McSoley. “How many people know that Jim McSoley as a Marine in World War II made just about every landing in the horrific island fighting in the Pacific.” Chief McSoley’s experiences will be detailed at a future Veterans Day ceremony.

After Butch’s talk, McCarthy will give brief remarks on a Medal of Honor winner who is remembered in Warren’s South Burial Ground.

William Bradford Turner received the Nation’s highest award for bravery posthumously for his heroic actions near Ronssoy, France, on Sept. 27, 1918. He is buried at the Somme American Cemetery in France.

He is listed on his parents’ gravestone in the South Burial Ground. His father, Maj. William Henry Turner, served with the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry during some of the worst fighting of the Civil War.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Town Common – the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, which marked the armistice that ended World War I.

A collation will follow in the Methodist Church across from the Common.
In case of poor weather, the ceremony will be held in the Church.

Sunday event will start at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., a veterans recognition ceremony will be held at the Historic Warren Armory (11 Jefferson St.).

Four Warren veterans will be honored, with plaques awarded.