EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Garden of Flags Memorial, founded and maintained by the East Providence Battle Monuments Foundation, located off of Veterans Memorial Parkway.

One-hundred-year-old United States Marine Corps World War II veteran Jean Kesner, an East Providence resident and staff sergeant, was the guest honoree during the event.

Kesner was presented with a key to the city by Mayor Bob DaSilva. In addition, she along with United States Senator Jack Reed, also a veteran and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and DaSilva together laid a wreath in memory and recognitions of veterans.

“We are here with so many honored guests, our veterans, my fellow veterans, I thank you for your service and sacrifice,” Senator Reed said. “We have to give a special shout-out to Jean Kesner, her extraordinary commitment to the nation leaving safety and security of East Providence to join the USMC in World War II and serve with distinction and continue to serve as a leader in the postal serve – thank you so much – you make us all proud. You are an inspiration to a generation of young women serving today.”

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Rhode Island State Senators Robert Britto and Pamela Lauria as well as East Providence City Council President Bob Rodericks also offered comments during the ceremony.

Kesner's service took place some 80 years ago, during Second World War. On her 20th birthday in April of 1943, she walked across the street from her secretarial position at Rhode Island Hospital Trust Bank in Providence to enlist in the Marine Women's Reserve. Three days later Kesner was sworn in and headed to Hunter College in New York for basic training. Next was Camp LeJeune in North Carolina for non-commissioned officer training. Kesner graduated as a corporal and worked as an administrative person in the sergeant major’s office.

The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was established in July of 1942, so when Kesner enlisted it had been in existence for just nine months. Women did not participate in combat, however their presence in the service provided much needed support on the home front, releasing men for combat duty. The women worked in many capacities including administrative staff, truck mechanics, laboratory technicians, radio operators and training among other positions.

Kesner was promoted to staff sergeant at the end of 1943 and was a drill instructor for new female recruits. She was honorably discharged at the end of the war.

After WWII, Kesner returned to East Providence to raise her family. A mother of six, Kesner was one of the first female veterans to be hired by the United State Postal Service where she worked for the next 30 years, retiring as a trainer in 1990.

Said DaSilva of Kesner's contributions, "She did that not for recognition, she did it to protect us, to protect our nation, so that all of us can continue to maintain our way of life, so that we may enjoy the freedoms that she, that her service one nation provided."

The East Providence Police and Fire Honor Guards participated in the ceremony along with local Scouts who handed out flags to attendees. Cards made by Waddington Elementary School students in the Grade 4 classes of Mikayla Amaral and Kaylee Feather were also presented to local veterans.

The National Anthem was sung by Riverside resident Andrea Vargas and "Taps" was played on the trumpet by East Providence High School junior James Cassamas. Bristol County Fifes & Drums played patriotic music throughout the event.