Matunuck Elementary School students filed Tuesday onto the school’s lawn, where they were greeted by local police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Hand-drawn cards in hand, the students seemed eager to offer thanks to the first responders for their tireless work keeping them and the entire town safe.
“We walk around saying ‘thank you for service’ to soldiers,’” said Francesco Capaldi Jr., a lieutenant with South Kingstown Emergency Medical Services (EMS). “But we never realize, until we take a step back, how much of an impact we make in the community. And even though we weren’t there on 9/11, we still do dangerous stuff, all of us.”
Capaldi continued, as students approached to hand over the thank you cards they’d made.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” he said, standing beside the other first responders, a firetruck behind them. “It’s very humbling.”