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Bridge Celebration
Above, those attending the rededication of the Rt 44 bridge. At left, local veterans helped rededicate the veterans bridge last week. Left to right: Victor Lippiello – Army (WWII); William Zamagni Sr. – Navy (WWII); Michael Vassar – USMC (Desert Storm); Michael Coderre – U.S. Air Force (Vietnam); John Turner – U.S. Coast Guard (Iraq); Peter Trama – U.S. Merchant Marines (WWII). Linda Lemmon photo.
 
 
 
Memorial bridge
rededicated
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM ---  The Route 44 bridge stood strong against the Hurricanes of 1938 and 1939, the Flood of 1955 and other onslaughts . And persevered. Dedicated in 1925, the Veterans Memorial Bridge commemorated veterans of WWI. Veterans from the next wars, WWII and forward, were on hand Jan. 20 to help rededicate the bridge. 
A bright and frigid day greeted veterans, town officials and residents gathered to rededicate the bridge.  Economic and Community Development Director Delpha Very said the 70-foot long bridge was on the state's rehabilitation list because it is a memorial bridge. "They wanted to bring it back to its original luster," she said. The state Department of Transportation project also assured that the bridge is still sound.  Northern Construction of Palmer, Mass., started the bridge work in April and the bridge reopened Thanksgiving weekend, on schedule, according to Director of Public Works Gerard Beausoleil.
According to Historic Highway Bridges records, the state originally planned to build a much plainer bridge and residents thought, since it' was dedicated to war veterans, a more stylish bridge was called for. One resident said, "That bridge may be there for the next century. Why should it not have lines of grace, as well as strength?" So the town raised $11,000 to reimburse the state for the extra expense of sidewalks, a wider roadway and attractive brass lamps, plus memorial bronzes. When it was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1925, the celebration included a parade that attracted 15,000.

 

Beausoleil said the cost, borne by the state, was $3.6 to $3.7 million. The only item missing are the four lights. Beausoleil said he gave Northern Construction one of the lamps to copy; however, the lamp produced did not pass muster with the state historian and they are being done again.  The lights may be ready for installation by the end of January, he said. 
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