PUTNAM — Dec. 19 the “Wreaths Across America” ceremony will take place exactly at noon at the Veterans Memorial Park.
The community of Putnam along with towns throughout America will pause in a minute of silence in tribute and remembrance to the fallen, the Prisoners of War, the Missing in Action and to honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s Armed Services.
The program is being coordinated by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 and the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523.  The members of the Legion and VFW are encouraging the public to attend the ceremony in accordance to COVID-19 guidelines.
Following the minute of silence at exactly noon, the program will open with remarks from Ronald P. Coderre, past commander of American Legion Post #13 and the singing of the National Anthem by U.S. Air Force veteran, Maurice Coderre.  In the presence of the combined Honor Guards of the American Legion and VFW, wreaths will be laid in memory of those who served and are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. An individual wreath will be laid in remembrance of the 93,129 service personnel from all branches whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Reflections will be offered by Putnam Mayor, Norman “Barney” Seney, American Legion Post#13 Commander Brian Maynard and VFW Post #1523 Commander, Hans Lowell.
The reflections will be followed by the tossing of a remembrance wreath into the Quinebaug River by American Legion Commander Maynard and Legion Commander Lowell. The ceremonial wreath tossing will be followed by Taps performed by Tyler Eddy, Putnam Citizen.
After the closing of the ceremony, the Honor Guard will disburse to local cemeteries and bridges where they will honor veterans by placing wreaths at each location.
The program is coordinated by the two service organizations in cooperation with Town of Putnam’s Recreation Department and will follow all COVID 19 guidelines.

.