putnam parade pg 6 5-23-24
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Putnam sets Memorial
Day events
PUTNAM — The town’s Memorial Day observance will take place May 27 with the parade step-off from the Grove Street staging area at 10 a.m. and will conclude with a memorial program at Rotary Park. In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM and 97.1 FM Radio the morning of the parade.
The parade will feature a lineup of marchers which will include town officials, a National Guard Unit, local veterans groups, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups. The 2024 American Legion Poppy Queen is Harper Thompson. The VFW Poppy Queen is Gloria Challinor.
The Parade Marshal is Pierre Desilets, who served in the USAF as a Staff Sergeant (E5), spending eight years on active duty, including two tours in Okinawa.
To accommodate older and disabled Veterans who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling the VFW at 860-928-9897.
Immediately following the parade, a spoken Memorial Day observance ceremony will take place in Rotary Park. The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies, Lt. Commander U.S. Navy (retired) Roy Simmons. The keynote address will be given by Michael Rocchetti, Retired U.S. Air Force colonel and current American Legion Post #13 commander. VFW Chaplain Tod Smith and American Legion Chaplain Pierre Desilets will offer prayers to begin and end the program.
After the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic in Rotary Park. Refreshments will include hot dogs, chips, and drinks for as long as they last.
Earlier in the week vets will place American flags at the graves of veterans interred in the St. Mary, Grove Street, Nancy Drive, Munyan Road, and Route 21 cemeteries. The flags will remain in place till Veterans Day .
The traditional wreath laying and military tributes at Putnam cemeteries, bridges and monuments will be conducted by a National Guard firing squad, plus officers and color guards from the American Legion and VFW, starting at 10 a.m. May 26.
The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.
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