Latest news with #Barbeau
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWII veteran takes Honor Flight to D.C. after surprise offer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It's not every day you get to thank a veteran with a trip to the nation's capital, but that's exactly what happened after U.S. Navy veteran Will Barbeau was featured on 12 News. Barbeau, who served in World War II, celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year and was spotlighted for his service and musical talents on a February edition of Street Stories. STREET STORIES: WWII veteran surprised with Honor Flight trip for 100th birthday 12 News asked his daughter, Laura Choiniere, a life-changing question: Would her father be interested in an Honor Flight? 'Wow, I think he would,' she responded. Shortly after, the family received a surprise visit from Chief George Farrell, chairman of the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. 'We have a flight scheduled and we would be happy if you let us take you on your Honor Flight,' Farrell told the Barrington resident during the visit. Barbeau was surprised by the offer but quickly accepted, saying it sounded like fun. Fast forward to Sunday, March 31, and he was ready to board a plane from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport to Washington, D.C., along with 31 other veterans. The group received a hero's sendoff—complete with bagpipers and emotional goodbyes—as they embarked on a journey to visit the memorials built in their honor. 'All the organization it takes to pull this off … and I kept biting my tongue so that I wouldn't cry. I was so moved,' Choiniere said. Before takeoff, Barbeau and fellow veteran Rasauro Tentoco were presented with quilts representing their branches of service, handmade by Michele Krakowski. Barbeau, who has played the clarinet since he was 12 years old, even joined in with the bagpipers, adding his own notes to the moment. 'He cradles his clarinet like a baby,' Choiniere said with a smile. 'And I wonder—did you ever cradle us like that?' And that was only the beginning of Honor Flight Charlie—the trip included a full itinerary in D.C., with stops at various war memorials. Among those who joined the veterans on the trip were 12 News Military Analyst Lt. General Reginald Centracchio and Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Director Kasim Yarn. 'I tell you, it just makes me feel wonderful knowing you're an American and what it took from him to give us the ability to do what we're doing,' Centracchio said. 'Just a tremendous guy, and he's a musician too.' Barbeau even had a chance to reunite with an old friend, discovering that Tom Hetherington, who he had taught to fish years ago, was also on that same plane. While the Honor Flight only lasted one day, the experience created memories—and music—that will last a lifetime. NEXT | 'Happy to be here': WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
08-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Victory Grounds Ventures had pitched multi-sport stadium to woo CPL team The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
CBC
08-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Social Sharing The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
WWII veteran surprised with Honor Flight trip for 100th birthday
BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) — William Barbeau will be celebrating a major milestone this Saint Patrick's Day. Barbeau, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, is turning 100 years old. His secret to living a long life is simple. Barbeau told 12 News he doesn't drink or smoke and keeps himself active. He has also been playing the clarinet since he was 12 years old. 'I've been through a lot of them,' the longtime Barrington resident said, referring to his clarinets over the years. 'It's a very delicate instrument and you have to treat it right.' Barbeau used to regularly play the clarinet for anyone who would listen at the Atria Bay Spring Village. But now, he only plays it for others from time to time. 'My repertoire, if you will, is about a dozen 60-year-old songs,' Barbeau explained. 'It got boring for the audience.' 'I still play it every day, but my songs don't change,' he continued. 'I really just entertain myself.' Barbeau told 12 News he enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was sent to Hilo, Hawaii for two years as an aircraft instruments mechanic. 'I learned how to repair airplanes,' he said. 'The Navy was always good to me.' His daughter Laura Choinieri told 12 News that her dad can sometimes be apprehensive about sharing his recollection of serving in World War II. 'I've always noticed that when he's thanked for his service, he is shy to take credit for what he did,' she said. Choinieri thinks it's because her dad is 'well aware' of the thousands of men and women who didn't return home. 'I guess we would call that survivor's guilt,' she said. For Choinieri, her father will always be her hero. 'I am so proud of him,' she said. 'I love his spirit of adventure, his energy, his heart and his compassion.' Barbeau told 12 News he's looking forward to his 100th birthday, but he wasn't sure exactly how he'd be celebrating. 12 News asked whether Barbeau would be interested in hopping on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. 'That sounds wonderful,' he said after learning what it entailed and candidly asking who would be paying for it. World War II, Vietnam and Korean war veterans who visit the nation's capital on an Honor Flight do not have to pay for anything and can bring a guardian with them on the trip. 12 News was there when George Farrell, chairman of the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, surprised Barbeau and offered to take him and his daughter on an upcoming trip. 'If you want to go we want to take you,' Farrell told Barbeau. Barbeau was surprised by the kind gesture and was quick to accept Farrell's invitation. 'It sounds like fun,' Barbeau said. 'We're going to take you and give you, hopefully, one of the best days of your life,' Farrell continued, joking with Barbeau that if it doesn't live up to his expectations, he will be 'completely refunded' for the trip. 'On that day, we like to treat you like the hero that you are.' There are roughly 66,000 World War II veterans who are still alive, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. It's a statistic that's not lost on Farrell, whose father also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. 'Having the opportunity to take a World War II veteran on an Honor Flight is really special,' Farrell said. Barbeau will be joining other veterans on Honor Flight Charlie, which will take off on March 30 from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
