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PUTNAM —  WWII veteran Robert Harris, will be this year’s Memorial Day Parade marshal May 26.  

Harris served as a Seabee aboard the USS Frank E. Evans and USS Harry E. Hubbard in the Pacific Theater in the 40th Naval Construction Battalion. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa.  

Harris served from 1944-47 and received the China Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal along with the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Star. 

Harris, 87, lives in Putnam and was born in Plainville, Mass.

The Town’s Memorial Day observance will take place May 26 with the parade step off at 10 a.m. and will conclude with a memorial program at Rotary Park.  In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM the morning of the parade.

The parade will feature a lineup of marchers which will include town officials, a National Guard Unit, local veterans groups, VFW and American Legion poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups. Patriotic music will be provided by local bands and the Putnam High and Middle School Bands. To accommodate older and disabled veterans, who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling the VFW at 860-928-9897.

Following the parade a speaking ceremony will take place in Rotary Park.  The key note address will be given by veteran Bernard Ducat, who served in the U.S. Air Force 1966-1970. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Ducat was awarded the Air Force Gallantry Cross, Good Conduct Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.

All marching units and on lookers are asked to gather at Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive immediately following the parade for the Memorial Day observance ceremony. The program will be lead by Master of Ceremonies, Ronald P. Coderre, a U.S. Air Force veteran. The VFW Chaplin will be announcing the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the state of Connecticut during duty in 2014.  Lillium Florist will be at the ceremony to distribute roses to family members of deceased veterans. Following the ceremony, the Putnam Police Department will host a free picnic in Rotary Park.  Refreshments include hot dogs, chips, drinks and cookies for as long as they last.

Earlier in the week, local veterans will place American flags at the graves of Veterans interred in the St. Mary, Grove Street and Nancy Drive, Munyan Road and  Rt 21 cemeteries.  There they will remain until Veterans Day in November.

The traditional wreath laying and military tributes at Putnam cemeteries, bridges and monuments will be conducted by a National Guard firing squad plus officers and color guards from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, starting at 10 a.m. May 25. The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.