Lasting tribute to honor veterans
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Photographing the concrete pavers in the Court of Honor following the dedication of the Veterans Park. More photos on page 4. Expanded array on our FB page Wed. night. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Handing the commemorative thank you awards to the mayor.
Color guard during benediction. More photos on our FB page Wed. night.
What it looked like on April 9
Mayor Barney Seney
Mercer Monuments placing the last one a few days before the ceremony.
The PHS acapella group and Moe Coderre singing the National Anthem.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
More than four years ago Putnam’s Veterans Park was a sad, overgrown mess.
Nov. 10, just in time for Veterans Day, the park’s rebirth was celebrated.
Mayor Barney Seney told the crowd of more than 600 people “This park represents more than just a place. It’s a tribute to the service and sacrifices of our veterans and the strength of our community.” He said the project began more than four years ago with the feeling that something had to be done with the Veterans Park.
Seney and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet spearheaded the effort, with the town taking the first steps — clearing brush from around the monuments. A plan was worked out after it was discovered that some of the park’s land was actually owned by neighbor Congregation B’nai Shalom. In the fall of 2019 they reached out to Harvard H. Ellis Tech for help on the masonry and electrical.
Then came COVID-19. During that time, he said, the Veterans Advisory Committee was formed and the project really took off. VAC Chair Robert Challinor Jr. was one of the leaders. The project grew with help from the American Legion, VFW, Elks, Knights of Columbus and the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse.
And it just kept growing with a monumental grassroots effort. A huge group of donors plus fund-raising from the sale of concrete pavers brought the vision to life. More than $330,000 was raised. “This became a grassroots movement powered by the generosity of hundreds of people who stepped up to make a difference,” Seney said.
“The stories behind these donations are moving. One local resident shared that her father had donated his body to science leaving her without a place to mourn. By dedicating a brick in his memory, she found a way to honor him and gain closure. This is just one example how the project has touched people’s lives and has given them a place to remember and reflect,” Seney said.
The project includes new walkways, concrete pads for monuments, a double monument for WWII (bronze plates with the names on them still to come) three more new monuments, lighting, a Court of Honor for all the veteran pavers and project partner pavers, a new flagpole, metal benches, metal trashcans, flag stands drilled into the concrete “ceremony” pad, fence, signs, shields, irrigation and grass, and more.
Recreation Director Bousquet said “Today we are celebrating. Let’s celebrate each veteran’s brick placed in this park. Let’s celebrate any donations of time, talent and treasure that enabled the improvements to Veterans Park and let’s celebrate all of you.” Hip Hip. He thanked all the department heads, the Public Works Department, the WPCA, the schools facilities and the Recreation Department. “And we owe a great debt of gratitude to Marcy Dawley.” He also thanked the VAC members.
The National Anthem was sung by Moe Coderre with the Putnam High acapella singers. Tod Smith, VFW Post 1523 chaplain, gave the opening prayer and the benediction was by Pierre Desilets, the American Legion Post 13 chaplain. The color guard included members from the American Legion and the VFW.
These supporters were honored: bankHometown, Barnes Concrete, Ellis Tech electrical and masonry students, Jewett City Savings Bank, Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post 13, Northeast Flooring & Kitchen, Putnam Area Foundation, Mayor Seney, Rec Director Bousquet, Challinor, Spirol, WINY Radio, Baribeau Lawn and Tree, Central Breaker & Control/Teguis Family, Centreville Bank, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Eversource, Fiesta Shows/EJ Dean, Flag Themes/Fiberoptics, Gagnon Sign, Granite City Electric, H.A. Leo Crane, JP Concrete Products, Killingly Fence, Magnetic Technologies, Mercer Monument, Modern Lumber, Northeast Placement Services/NEPS, Quiet Corner Self Storage, Rawson Materials US Button, WIN Waste.
Seney said when he returned from Vietnam “we weren’t welcome at all. But over the years that has changed, changed for the better. And this is what this park represents. It represents all the veterans from the Revolutionary War until today’s conflicts. We will have bricks here in the future for every individual that served from the Revolutionary War up to today,” and into the future, he said.
Honor.
