A tribute pg 10 8-28-14
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
By Ron P. Coderre
When we define heroes today in America we most often think of professional athletes, astronauts, actors and actresses and even some of our leading politicians. There was a time in our country when our heroes were simple men and women, people who just fit in to the fabric of society because they simply did the things that were correct in life.
Many of these people have grown in stature in recent years because we’ve come to recognize them as America’s Greatest Generation. They are the individuals who fought in WWII to preserve the freedom we enjoy in America today. Unfortunately their numbers are dwindling faster than we’d like, as they are dying by the thousands each year.
Putnam recently lost another member of the Greatest Generation with the passing of Edward J. Briere Sr. on Tuesday, August 19. By his own admission, Briere was a very simple man but when you look below the surface you find a hero.
As a young man Briere was drafted by the U.S. Army and saw action in Germany during WWII, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war for six months. When he was liberated by Allied Forces on May 25, 1944, at the age of 21, he came out of the concentration camp weighing a mere 90 pounds. Following a period of rehabilitation he returned home to Putnam.
Briere immediately went to work, there was no hero’s welcome for him and the thousands of others like him who were discharged from the military. He worked at his job for more than 50 years. He and his wife of 68 years, Irene raised four children. They were faithful communicants at St. Mary Church. And were simply good citizens who enjoyed family, friends and community.
It wasn’t until recent years that Briere was recognized for his service to his country. He was named Grand Marshall of the Putnam Memorial Day Parade, and later was presented his Bronze Star and the other medals he had earned from his days in the military. Even when he was presented his long overdue medals he was humble, stating “I just did what we all were supposed to do at that time.”
There were no frills about Eddie Briere. He was a man who was faithful to his family, his employer, his church, his friends, his community and his country. During his 90 years he was given on earth he blended in with the tapestry of the community, that is, until you took a deeper look and found a hero.
He’s gone now like so many from his era but his legacy will live on. When heroes are talked about, Eddie Briere will be among those recognized, even though it may only be by those who got to know him more personally when he was alive.
Legals pg 10 8-28-14
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Board of Assessment Appeals
Notice of Meeting
The Town of Putnam’s Board of Assessment Appeals will hold a meeting on Monday September 8TH, 2014 at 5:00pm, in the 1st floor Community Room of the Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church Street. The sole purpose of this meeting will be for the hearing of appeals to assessments of motor vehicles on the Grand List of October 1, 2013. All persons claiming to be aggrieved by the doings of the Assessor with respect to motor vehicle assessments, are hereby warned to make their appeal at the above listed place and time.
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Sanchez,
Secretary to the Board of Assessment Appeals
Aug. 27, 2014
Seminar pg 10 8-28-14
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Seminar offered
NORWICH — CorePlus Federal Credit Union is hosting two seminars titled “How to Prepare, Pay & Stay in College” with information about Student Choice, our Educational Loan program.
The seminars start at 5:30 with registration and snacks and the seminar starts at 6 and ends at 7. One will be held Sept. 24 at CorePlus on Salem Turnpike in Norwich and the other will be Sept. 25 at CorePlus on Boston Post Road in Waterford.
Free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 860-886-0576 x 3171.
Education briefs pg 11 8-28-14
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Recognized
DUDLEY --- Twenty-five students at Nichols College were recognized at a recent Academic Awards ceremony this spring: Ian Sullivan, of North Grosvenordale and the Nichols class of 2015, received the James L. Dunbar Endowed Scholarship in Criminal Justice Management and Asis Conference Scholarships; Kaitlyn Larrabee, of Gloucester and the Nichols class of 2015, received the First-Year PDS Teaching Assistant Award.
Honored
ROCHESTER, N.Y. --- Nazareth College announced that Stacey Yazo of Pomfret Center was named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2014 semester. Yazois majoring in Music Education Music Education .
Graduates
BEVERLY, Mass. --- At commencement at Endicott College, held May 24, 2014, the following local students received degrees: Kristina Johnson is the daughter of Marcus Johnson of Woodstock, and Deborah Johnson of Putnam. Kristina majored in Criminal Justice and received a bachelor's.
Honored
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. --- Springfield College recognized graduates: Michael Olm of Pomfret Center and Deanna Boucher of N. Grosvenordale.
Provost list
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. --- Nikki Gyftopoulos of Thompson achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the Spring 2014 semester, earning a spot on the Provost’s List. Nikki is a senior majoring in Public Relations.
On dean's list
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. --- Springfield College has named Jennifer Rollinson of Pomfret Center to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2014 term. Rollinson is studying Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Honored
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. --- Hofstra University named the following local students to the spring 2014 dean's list: Andrew Bertorelli of Dayville, a senior majoring in Finance and Andrea Standrowicz of North Grosvenordale, a senior majoring in English.
Recognized
NORTHFIELD, Vt. --- The following local student has been recognized on the dean’s list at Norwich University for the spring 2014 semester: Margo Irene Smutnick of Pomfret Center.