BRISTOL, R.I. (WJAR) — It was music to the ears this week at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol.

“I love music,” said Robert Nordstrom.

The U.S. Navy veteran sat and listened as songs written by Mozart played by two visiting musicians.

“I’ve heard a lot of classical music,” said Nordstrom.

For Nordstrom, it was a familiar sound.

“My wife taught violin and piano at home. I had four kids that play the violin,” said Nordstrom.

He himself played the harmonica for seven decades, he said, but now he listens to the sounds of a violin and a viola among his fellow residents and service members like 94-year-old George Cottrell Junior.

“I love comforting music. Peace,” said Cottrell.

Cottrell said he had seen a lot of conflict, serving in combat for both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

“Life is short,” said Cottrell.

It was music to the ears this week at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol. (WJAR)

“For us, it’s very special to be here,” said violinist Alexey Shabalin.

The talented duo works with the Aurea Ensemble: a local group using music and the spoken word to bring people together.

They hope to expand community arts programming in Rhode Island to support the social and emotional health of our aging veterans.

“The point is to uplift them. To give them joy!” said violist and artistic director for Aurea Consuelo Sherba.

Navy Veteran Francis Jalette said his favorite music genre had more twang.

“I like country music,” said Jalette.

It was music to the ears this week at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol. (WJAR)

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No matter what music it is, everyone agreed. The songs were as sweet as the comradery in the room.

“We have so much in common, so we enjoy it very much!” said Jalette.

Nordstrom had a front row seat to history, and now to the string performance at the veterans home.

The 87-year-old said he will continue to listen to music as long as he can.

“I’ve been through a lot myself, but I hope I can stay around a little while and listen to music,” said Nordstrom.

This concert was one in a series of four free concerts for veterans at the home.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — With international visa processing paused, a local family is fighting to get their adopted daughter home.

Dave and Grace Macchione thought they were finally at the finish line.

After first meeting their daughter, Zuli, the Rhode Island couple spent the past year following the required steps to adopt her.

Working through the legal process with adoption agencies, the State Department, and immigration services to bring her to the United States and finalize her citizenship.

Martha Konstandinidis spoke with the family about their efforts to reunite with their daughter after federal visa complications. (WJAR)

They first connected with Zuli in December 2024 through an exchange program, hosting her in their home for about a month.

The family says that time together only strengthened their bond.

With plane tickets booked and their trip to Colombia set to leave Jan. 24 to complete the adoption, the family says everything suddenly changed.

They learned the adoption process had been paused as the U.S. government moved to revoke more than 100,000 international visas spanning more than 75 countries, citing security concerns.

The Macchiones say they’ve reached out to local and federal officials for help, but they’re still left with little concrete guidance as they try to figure out what happens next and how long the delay could last.

Now, they’re pushing for the process to continue, not only for Zuli, but for other children and families caught in the same uncertainty.

In the meantime, they say they stay connected with Zuli through video calls, reassuring her they’re still coming, even if the timeline is no longer clear.

Back in Rhode Island, they say her room is ready. The only thing missing is her.

The couple is urging decision-makers behind the pause to consider the families who have already followed every step required to adopt legally and are now stuck waiting with no clear end in sight.