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Reading Program
Top: Members of the American Legion Post #13 recently completed a six–week program with the 2nd grade students at the Putnam Elementary School in which they were read to and read with the students.  The Post presented a certificate of appreciation to PES Principal Kate Colavecchio, third from right.  She’s surrounded by Legionnaires, left to right: Alan Joslin, Cosmo Quercia, Ron Coderre, Barbara Smith and Roger Franklin.  Absent when photo was taken Marc J. Coderre Sr.  Right: Second grade student Ja’von Arrington presented a thank you note to American Legion Post #13. Left to right with Arrington: Legion members Roger Franklin, Ronald P. Coderre, Barbara Smith and Alan Joslin. Courtesy photo.


Spurred on by a call from Putnam Elementary School Principal Kate Colavecchio, eight veterans of American Legion Post #13 returned to school this fall.
The eight, Commander Ronald P. Coderre, Al Cormier, Marc Coderre Sr., Alan Joslin, Roger Franklin, Barbara Smith, Cosmo Quercia and Richard Tremblay, weren’t summoned by the principal for remedial work, to the contrary, they were asked to work with second grade students in a unique reading program. 
The program, as formatted by Colavecchio, entailed a once per week half-hour session where the vets read to and listened to the students as they read from their favorite books.
“Having the veterans come to school has been a positive experience for our second-graders.  The kids have enjoyed the respite from the routine of the classroom and the opportunity to share their favorite books with the men and women of Post #13.  I marvel at how well this program has worked for a first-time venture,” said Colavecchio.
The goal of the seven-week program was to expose the students to other adults in addition to their classroom teachers. 
It was also aimed at building self confidence in the young students, while participating in an academic program outside of the normal classroom environment.
 Each week the vets met with different students in small groups of three to five kids.
“This experience has been so much fun,” said Navy veteran Alan Joslin, who served in Vietnam.
 “I think I’ve learned as much as kids.  And I’ve been impressed with how smart they are and the high level of reading proficiency they’ve attained.”
The program proved to be another way that the veterans of Post #13 have been able to reach out and provide another type of community service.  The success of the program indicates that it will most likely become an annual occurrence.