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Honored
Vietnam veterans Rick Carnahan and Barney Seney, left, were honored by American Legion Post #13 on Veteran’s Day. Joining the pair, left to right: Legion Commander Walter LaRochelle; Kevin Hogan, Channel 3 News; Mike Vassar, Someplace Restaurant; and Ron Coderre, Veteran’s Day event organizer and post historian. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
Veteran’s Day was very special for two northeastern Connecticut Vietnam vets as they were honored by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 of Putnam. The ceremony took place as part of the Post’s Celebrity Bartender Evening.
Post #13 Commander Walter LaRochelle and Historian Ronald P. Coderre presented Richard “Rick” Carnahan and Norman “Barney” Seney with commemorative plaques thanking the pair for their service in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, as American heroes and patriots.
Carnahan, a native of Vincennes, Ind., joined the U.S. Navy out of high school in 1961. He served in the Navy for 20 years, being honorably discharged in 1981. During his career he spent three separate tours in Vietnam. An E-7 Chief Yeoman, Carnahan was part of the river boat patrols that provided support to the troops combating the enemy who lurked in the jungles along the deltas and rivers.
Trained in radar, Carnahan eventually served in the Pentagon in an administrative capacity in the last years of his naval career. In retirement he worked in the Washington, D.C. area with defense contractors. He’s an active member of Post #13 serving as the junior vice commander. He and his wife Dee live in Woodstock.
“This award has totally taken me by surprise. I served because I felt it was my duty, never expecting to receive any accolades or honors. I’m thankful to my fellow veterans for this honor,” said Carnahan.
Seney entered the U.S. Army at the height of the Vietnam war in 1964. He served through 1966, spending one full year in Saigon as a military policeman. The Thompson native trained for his deployment at Fort Dix, N.J.
In Vietnam, Pvt. Seney and his unit escorted troops and ammunition and supplies headed to the front lines, in addition to patrolling the streets and alleys of Saigon. Following his discharge, Seney went on to a 25-year career with the Connecticut State Police, rising to the rank of sergeant. He’s involved in local politics, currently serving as a member of the Putnam Board of Selectmen. Seney is a former Commander of Post #13 and is currently the post adjutant. He’s a former first selectman of Thompson. He and his wife Sara live in Putnam.
“For a person who’s accustomed to speaking publicly, I’m lost for words with this honor. It’s an emotional moment for me and one that I’ll remember forever,” said Seney.
“These men served their country with courage and humility. They were never recognized upon their return from Vietnam, yet they became productive members of society serving their communities. This ceremony is well deserved for both men,” said Commander LaRochelle.
This was the third year that Post #13 conducted this Veterans Day program. Last year they recognized Navy veteran Alan Joslin who was wounded in Vietnam. In the first year of the program the Post honored veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict.