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Putnam 9/11
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Towers of Light
Putnam's 9/11 tribute took the form of two shafts of light during River Fire. More photos on page 4. Photo courtesy of Jan Rondeau.
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Above: Chief Ferace with just a few of the citations the department received for its anniversary. Below: DPW loads the River Fire cauldrons. Linda Lemmon photos.
Juicebox. Linda Lemmon photo.
Pastor Jacqueline Harvey. Photo by Jan Rondeau
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It all coalesced.
The town’s 9/11 event went from celebratory to high energy to reflective to somber. Yet each element fell together to create the type of event Putnam is known for, the type of event that Putnam Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet had hoped for.
Bousquet’s conservative estimate was 3,500 people in Rotary Park Sept. 11. “I might nudge it closer to 4,000, though.” He said it was probably the strongest event (barring the fireworks), that Putnam has had post COVID-19. “We got our mojo back,” he said.
He noted that comments about the event reflected “nothing but love” and that the happiness was expressed in a heartfelt way.
The evening began with a celebration of the Putnam Police Department’s 125th anniversary.
Police Chief Christopher D. Ferace began by noting the department was established in 1796. And he ended his remarks that the people supported the police 125 years ago and “you still support your police department 125 years later.”
Ferace, just the sixth police chief in the department’s history, said “We hear cries to defund police. We hear cries to abolish the police. But in Putnam you don’t hear those cries.” He added, “People want strong law enforcement. People respect law enforcement. People appreciate law enforcement.”
Ferace, as a representative of the department, collected an armful of proclamations and citations. Putnam Mayor Barney Seney said the Putnam Police Department is the best in the state. He read the town’s proclamation, declaring Sept. 11, 2021 “Putnam Police Department Day.” There were several other citations including those from the Special Services District. In reading one, Special Services District President Norm Perron said the department members are “unsung heroes” to whom “we owe a substantial debt of gratitude.”
Following the celebration of the police department’s anniversary Juicebox, in its last appearance, added some fun. That was followed by a reflective, thoughtful speech by Pastor Jacqueline Harvey. And finally River Fire brought it all home, Bousquet said. In addition to wonderful music put together by Karen and Gary Osbrey, Bousquet said, the “river crew did a great job” getting the cauldrons set up for River Fire. As a special take-your-breath-away surprise tribute to the 20th anniversary of 9/11 two shafts of light pierced the night sky on the other side of the Quinebaug River, reminiscent of the towers of light that stood in NYC after the towers fell.
“I was hoping it would all fit together,” Bousquet said. Mission accomplished.
The event was powered by the town, Centreville Bank, WIN Waste Innovations and WINY Radio.
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