This year the Aspinock Historical Society (AHS) participated in a national campaign called “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive.” A grass-roots effort, it is intended to serve as a call to the “can do” spirit of courage, self-sacrifice and national unity displayed during World War II (WWII). It is intended that this renewal of spirit will help America face and solve its current and future challenges. The AHS certainly used the “can do” spirit to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII.

Combining with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AHS was part of the Memorial Day program for Putnam. A display at the Rotary Park Bandstand highlighted the men from Putnam who had given their lives for America’s freedom. Along with posters about these men, a pamphlet was put together on these soldiers, with information on what branch of service they were in, when they were killed and where they are buried. A terrific effort with an impressive result was made by the Putnam High School (PHS) librarian, Principal Jacqueline Vetrovec, and students to produce this pamphlet! The pamphlet continues to be available through the AHS.

A WWII exhibit was staged at Putnam Middle School (PMS) in May, thanks to the help of the Superintendent of Schools William Hull, his staff, the Putnam Elementary School (PES) and PHS librarians, the PHS cafeteria staff and the history and art departments, as well as PMS teachers.

In June, with the help of Ron Coderre from the American Legion, presentations were held at PHS where WWII veterans shared some of their stories with students. 

A series of WWII movies were shown at the Putnam Library with the help of the Head Librarian, Priscilla Crowell, and her staff. One of the movies, “The Flying Tigers,” included a presentation by Tom Pandolfi telling about the Tigers and their mission. For two months, displays were put in the Putnam Library display cases. One of the displays held WWII memorabilia, with contributions from Putnam citizens, and the other display highlighted the Home Front, including many of the things Putnam did to help win the war.

Putnam’s July First Friday saw another exhibit of WWII memorabilia and displays at the Congregational Church. Included were a bell-ringing concert, actual uniforms and an oral presentation by Bruce LaBelle, who shared his own collection. Also featured here was The Wall of Remembrance, which was created by AHS members to highlight major events of the war and the men and women of Putnam who served. 

The final program of the commemoration was in August at the Rotary Park Bandstand. The park was jumping as The Little Big Band performed favorite WWII music, and AHS members filled in with information and tidbits about the songs. That was made possible with the help of the Town of Putnam Recreation Department and Willie Bousquet and his staff, and a generous donation by The Center for Bone and Joint Care of Putnam.  At the beginning of the commemoration, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans donated 4 tickets to their museum. The drawing winners chosen that night were Rod Waters of Putnam and Joyce Sirard of Massachusetts.

Also as part of the commemoration, plaques were made by Chase Graphics of Putnam’s servicemen who lost their lives in WWII. These plaques will be placed on the streets in Putnam that were named in their honor, or on gravesites, or, for the men buried overseas, will be on display at the AHS.