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PUTNAM — The Town’s Memorial Day observance will kick off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28  from Grove Street and will conclude with a memorial program at Rotary Park.  In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM 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, VFW and American Legion poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups. Patriotic music will be provided by local bands and the Putnam High and Middle School bands.
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.
The parade marshals will be retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert “Cat” McKenney and U.S. Navy veteran Robert L. Remillard.  Both men served in the Vietnam war.
Robert McKenney is married to Carol McKenney and has lived in Putnam for more than 30 years.  He is a life member of the Putnam VFW and Putnam Lodge of Elks. “Cat” graduated from Providence College in 1962 and then served 27 years in the Army performing duties as an Intelligence Officer and an instructor for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His awards include the Air Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnamese Cross Gallantry, Meritorious Service Award, Vietnamese Civic Action Award and Army Commendation Award.
Robert Remillard served aboard the USS Intrepid from 1968-69. He was a helmsman on the bridge in the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of North Vietnam.  He was transferred to a Naval Base in Norfolk, Vir., in late 1969.  He is a lifelong member of the Putnam VFW and Putnam Lodge of Elks.  He served as VFW Post commander 2000-2001. He has been a self-employed building contractor for 40 years.
Following the parade, a speaking ceremony will take place in Rotary Park.  The keynote address will be given by  Ronald P. Coderre, A2C Air Force.  He is the current Putnam American Legion Commander of Post 13.
All marching units and onlookers are asked to gather at Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive immediately following the parade for the Memorial Day observance ceremony. The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies, Albert Cormier, a major in the U.S. Army. VFW Chaplin Gerard Salvas will be announcing  the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the state of Connecticut during duty in 2017. Lillium Florist will be at the ceremony to distribute roses to family members of deceased and living veterans.   Following the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic in Rotary Park.  Refreshments include hot dogs, chips and drinks, while supplies last.
Earlier in the week, local veterans will place American flags at the graves of veterans interred in the St. Mary,  Grove Street and Nancy Drive, Munyan Road and Rt. 21 cemeteries.  The flags will remain until Veterans Day in November.
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 Veterans of Foreign Wars, starting at 10 a.m. May 21. The