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Donation
The Gates Automotive Group and the Black Dog Bar & Grill presented a $3,017.60 check to American Legion Post #13 of Putnam in honor of Veterans Day 2020. Left to right: District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre, Black Dog Manager G. David Landry; Gates Automotive Group owner Craig Gates, Post #13 Commander Brian D. Maynard, Post Sr. Vice Commander Michael Vassar, Post Committee member Barbara Smith, and Past Post Commander Alan Joslin.  Courtesy photo.



PUTNAM — Craig Gates of the Gates Automotive Group and G. David Landry, always staunch supporters of veterans could put on their traditional Veterans Day remembrance and celebration at the Black Dog Bar & Grill because of COVID-19 but that didn’t stop them.  This year Gates and Landry came through for The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 of Putnam. The duo raised $3,017.60 and recently presented it to Post Commander Brian D. Maynard and members of the post.
The donation came from fund-raising activities at Gates Buick GMC, Putnam Chrysler Dodge Jeep Inc., Columbia Ford Kia, Jolly John’s Truck and Equipment and the Black Dog Bar & Grill. The restaurant allowed patrons on Veterans Day to designate 20 percent of their tab to be donated  to Post #13. “We missed having the Veterans Day event at the restaurant this year due to COVID-19 but wanted to assist the Post regardless.  We hope to be back with the event next year and make it the most successful ever,” said Gates.
The restaurant event is one of the post’s largest fund-raisers and supports many programs of the post including: two $1,000 scholarships, the high school constitutional Oratorical Contest, TriTown American Legion Baseball, Americanism programs for 5th grade students and assisting a needy veteran’s family during the holidays.  The Post is also responsible for the flags that adorn the World War I Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street and the ‘Hometown Hero’ banners displays from Labor Day through Veterans Day annually.
“The Post and its membership are thankful to the Gates Group and the Black Dog for finding a way during the coronavirus crisis to continue its support of our programs.  We are grateful to Mr. Gates and Mr. Landry for their creativity in providing support to our veterans and their families during these trying times,” said Maynard. On hand to accept the gift  with Commander Maynard were Sr. Vice Commander Michael Vassar, Past Commander Alan Joslin, Executive Committee member Barbara Smith and District #4 Commander and Past Post Commander Ronald P. Coderre.

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