Wreaths: Remember, Honor, and Teach
PUTNAM — In Putnam and across the nation, a patriotic observance was held at high-noon Dec. 14 at Veterans Park — Wreaths Across America.  Some 50 people braved the cold.
Wreaths were placed to recognize the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are serving, have served, and those who have departed from our ranks. According to the master of ceremonies, American Legion Post 13 Commander Michael Rocchetti, “The watchwords for the Wreaths Across America Observance are: Remember, Honor, and Teach”. We remember the sacrifices made by our veterans, we honor their legacy, and we teach our younger generations the value of freedom”.
“It was a very cold day, but the sun was shining, the sky was clear and blue, and the winds were calm. It was a great day for this ceremony.” added Rocchetti. In his address, Rocchetti spoke about the extraordinary service of two local Civil War veterans: William B. Whittemore and William Sullivan Beebe. “Whittemore survived five gunshot wounds and Beebe won the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
The annual “Wreaths Across America” tribute started in 2005, and has grown in popularity. Putnam’s first observance was in 2011, and was a joint effort of the Town of Putnam, The American Legion Post and the VFW Post. The participants in the ceremony included the American Legion Post #13, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1523, the Putnam Elks #574 Veterans Committee, the Danielson Veterans Coffee house, and the Town of Putnam.
Speakers included Michael Rocchetti, VFW Post 1523 Past Commander Robert Challinor, and Alan Joslin for the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. The National Anthem was sung by Emily Lajoie, and taps was played on the bugle by Tyler Eddy. The honor guard consisted of Michael Vassar, Chas Mackenzie, Curt Prochowski, and Frank Tremont and members of VFW Post #1523. The invocation and benediction were given by Janet Muscara. The wreath layers included: Robert Warrender, Bill Schmidt, Ron Pariseau, Rita Barylski, Thomas Lajoie, Al Heath, Janet Muscara Schmidt, Hans Lowell, and Alan Joslin. Wreaths were placed at Veterans Park, at three bridges over the Quinebaug River, and at every cemetery in town where veterans are buried.
Rocchetti also had words of praise for the Town of Putnam: “The Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet and his assistant Marcy Dawley did a lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen – and I am very grateful for their support. Also Gene Palazzo did a fantastic job setting up the ceremonial site – with chairs, a podium, and a sound system. How lucky we are to live in such a wonderful community!”

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