Veterans Day Combat Wounded Parking Signs Unveiled

Combat Wounded Parking Signs Unveiled

+ click to enlarge News staff photos by Tara Vocino From left, are Sgt. Charlene Van Cott, of the U.S. Army Reserves, Maj. Mike Currie, Town Assessor Leann Royer, Board of Selectmen Human Resources Coordinator Alisha O’Malley, Town Accountant Kelli Pontbriand, Assistant Collector Carolee Eaton, Director of Veterans Services John Caplis, Assistant Town Clerk Cheryl Kasper, Town Treasurer/Collector Kate Myers, Inspectional Services Administrator Mallory Seamon and Senior Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen Holly Young attending the combat wounded sign unveiling ceremony at Town Hall on Tuesday. + click to enlarge News staff photo by TARA VOCINO One of the new signs Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON  The Highway Department recently installed the first combat wounded parking signs in the Worcester County area at Town Hall and Narragansett Regional High School. The Friends of Templeton Veterans and Oversight Board unveiled the signs Tuesday. The sign is beside the handicapped spot about 50 yards from the main entrance at Town Hall. The sign at the high school is also within walking distance of the main entrance. Director of Veterans Services John Caplis began the unveiling ceremony with a prayer and moment of silence. Mr. Caplis, who was deployed in Iraq from 2003 to 2005 is a Purple Heart recipient. He was wounded by indirect fire and a mortar round explosion. Mr. Caplis explained what the signs mean to the town. “The sign is more than just metal with stickers,” Mr. Caplis announced to the group of people assembled. “This makes a statement that Templeton as a community supports its veterans. We have had veterans in all wars that the United States has been in from the Civil War up to the current operations.” Mr. Caplis said the signs are the first in the Worcester County area, and he hopes other cities and towns will follow their lead. Sgt. Charlene Van Cott, of the U.S. Army Reserves, and of Templeton, said the signs are personal for her. A combat wounded veteran, she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, where she received an ankle injury. Many of her friends are Purple Heart recipients. “A lot of my friends are improvised explosive device victims,” Ms. Van Cott said after the ceremony. “Most had to medically retire due to injuries.” She said veterans will have better access to the buildings. “Just for them to be recognized for their sacrifice and afford them the ability to access buildings that they would otherwise be inhibited by their injuries means a lot,” Ms. Van Cott said. “They’ll have a greater ease of access to services. They won’t need to deviate from buildings or consider how far of a walk it is from the parking space.” About 20 Town Hall staff members and dignitaries were in attendance. Selectwoman Diane Haley Brooks said it was important for her to recognize the combat wounded. “They earned and deserve this great piece of recognition,” Ms. Haley Brooks said. “Because people sacrificed for us, it’s important for me to be here today and to recognize them as a whole.” Major Mike Currie said although combat wounded has a technical description to it, it could also be a hidden disability. “They could be right beside you,” Mr. Currie said. The Highway Department also installed Purple Heart five signs under the Welcome to Templeton signs to recognize Templeton as a Purple Heart community.