The Town of Warren hosts its 157th annual Memorial Day events May 25 and 26, with a remembrance and honors ceremony, beginning on Sunday at 9 a.m. with recognition program to be held at Warren's Vietnam Memorial Marker located on the quadrant at Market Street and Kickemuit Road on Route 136.

The program's focus is on the life of the late Private First Class Roland C. Larivee, who was a veteran of the Vietnam War and is being honored by the Warren Association of Vietnam Veterans.

Larivee was severely wounded on February 7, 1967, during "Operation Razor Back: near Dong Ha, in the northern portion of South Vietnam. He was serving with the 1st Howitzer Battalion/40th Artillery Regiment. His unit was surrounded by enemy fire as its 105 millimeter howitzers unleashed missions in support of an infantry assault to recapture Razor Back Hill one of the 105 rounds exploded prematurely, wounding several men on the gun crew.

Larivee suffered the loss of his right eye and a badly maimed left hand. He was 20 years old. Five days after his wounding, he arrived at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he received an artificial eye and underwent intensive physical therapy to restore partial movement in his hand.

He came home that May to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Larivee on Highview Avenue, in time to celebrate his 21st birthday with them and to serve as the grand marshal that year of Warren’s Memorial Day ceremonies and parade. His life story will be told at the ceremony on Sunday.

The program next moves to the North Burial Ground at 9:45 a.m. to render honors at grave of 1st Captain of Federal Blues Rhode Island Militia.

On Monday, the schedule of events starts when Naval Honors are rendered on the Town Wharf at 7 a.m. for all veterans of the branch. At 8 a.m., Military Honors and a speaking program honoring all service veterans will be held at the Town Common and Honor Roll at State and Church Streets. The program will feature oration from town, state and military officials as well as students.

The principal speaker is Lieutenant Colonel John Louglin, United States Army, Ret. Loughlin served numerous roles in the Army National Air Guard, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. He is a combat helicopter pilot and veteran of the war in Iraq during “Operation New Dawn." Next, the annual Warren Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m.

In case of rain the ceremony will be held at the Warren Fire Station.