Council accepts gift proposal for memorial to soldiers of the First Rhode Island regiment, asks for further review of wording and easements

The East Greenwich Town Council on June 9 voted 5–0 to accept, in principle, a proposed permanent public monument commemorating the First Rhode Island regiment and the role the unit played in the Revolutionary era. The acceptance was framed as a gift to the town, subject to final design completion, securing an easement from the Varnum Armory (the planned installation site) and further council review as the project advances.

Matt Kachuri, who represented the project committee, told the council the design concept depicts an adult soldier in motion with shackles cast behind him and a second, younger figure looking toward the same horizon in the same motion to emphasize transformation from enslavement to military service. "There were 125 men who were enslaved men who enlisted and came out of slavery to gain their freedom," Kachuri said, summarizing the historical significance the committee intends the memorial to convey.

Kachuri and committee members said the monument would be a permanent gift to the town and that the Varnum Armory (listed in materials as the armory property on Main Street) would grant an easement so the site would be public land. The project committee has engaged an artist on the RISD faculty and provided conceptual renderings; a granite base and plaque are included in the design. The committee said donors and the fiscal agent—that organization is the Varnum Continentals, a local nonprofit—prefer the town accept the piece as public property to ensure long‑term preservation rather than a private nonprofit holding the asset.

Several councilors pressed for formal review of plaque language and final wording before the town accepts text as part of the installation. Councilor Michael Donegan said the narrative should not minimize the costs and dangers the enlisted men faced; Kachuri agreed the plaque would be vetted and returned to the town for review. Council discussion also covered maintenance responsibilities: volunteers with the Varnum Continentals have offered annual cleaning/waxing; final maintenance and easement language will be worked out between counsel, the armory and staff.

Councilor Mark Schwager read a motion that the council "support the installation of the proposed monument and accept the monument as a gift subject to final completion of the monument as presented, securing an easement from the Varnum Armory for placement of monument, ... and subject to further review as the project approaches completion." The motion was seconded and carried 5–0.

Council staff said legal counsel will be engaged to document the easement and that fundraising and fabrication are expected to proceed over the next two years. The committee asked to return with more detailed schematic drawings and proposed plaque wording for formal council review and public comment before installation.