What:

A formal dedication ceremony designating the facility of the Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, RI, as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office” will be held on Sunday, May 19, outside that site. The event, which is free and open to the public, is a rain or shine event.

Sunday’s program will include remarks by members of the Rhode Island federal delegation, the Lieutenant Governor, senior postal officials, the father of Captain August, and an address by the 60th Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point.

Who:

As Keynote:
LTG Darryl A. Williams, 60th Superintendent of the US Military Academy West Point

From the Federal Delegation:
The Honorable Jack Reed, US Senator
The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, US Senator
The Honorable James Langevin, US Congressman
The Honorable David Cicilline, US Congressman

For Rhode Island and the Community:
The Honorable Daniel J. McKee Lieutenant Governor
The Honorable Ralph Mollis, Town Manager, North Kingstown, RI
Rhode Island Army National Guard 88th Army Band
The Rhode Island State Police

From the Postal Service:
David Mastroianni, Jr., District Manager, USPS
Kevin Floody, Postmaster, Saunderstown, RI

As Family and Friends:
Richard J. August, Father of Captain August
Nathan Hancock, Classmate of Captain August, USMA Class of ‘97
SGT Tom Oyster, Friend who served with Captain August
Chaplain (LTC) Lee Hardgrove, US Army (Retired)
Chaplain (Col.) Robert Marciano US Air Force (Retired)
Nancy Hillner, Family Friend
Joshua & Brian Cargilo, Nephews of Captain August

When:

Sunday, May 19, 2019 1 pm

Where:

Captain Matthew J. August Post Office
20 Ferry Road
Saunderstown RI 02874

Background:

On December 13, 2018, legislation introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Jack Reed was signed as Public Law No: 115-313 by President Donald J Trump.  This law designated the facility of the Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office."

The bill, S. 3414, was introduced by Senator Reed on September 6, 2018 and cosponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Congressman James Langevin introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives the same day, which was cosponsored by Congressman David Cicilline.

Matthew August grew up in North Kingstown, went to Davisville Middle School and graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 1993 before attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduating in 1997.  He married fellow West Point graduate, Captain Maureen Innes, on June 6, 1998.

During his career, Matthew earned the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal – with two oak leaves, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons. 

Captain August was killed on January 27, 2004 while leading the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division attached to the 82nd Airborne on a mission outside Baghdad, Iraq when his convoy was ambushed and hit by improvised explosive devices and small arms fire from insurgents. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medals, and Combat Action Badge.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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