Putnam to

honor vets at

'Wreaths 

Across 

America'

ceremony

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

A program that began in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Company of Harington, Maine found themselves with a surplus of wreaths has grown into a program of national stature known as “Wreaths Across America.”

On Saturday, December 12 exactly at noon the community of Putnam will pause in a minute of silence to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s armed services.  The ceremony that will take place at Veterans Memorial Park is coordinated by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 and the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523.

In 2008 the United States Congress voted unanimously to honor veterans on the second Saturday of December as “Wreaths Across America Day.”  In 2008 wreath laying ceremonies were held in 300 locations in every state.  By 2012, the number of locations had grown to 545 sites involving more than 220,000 volunteers.

The mission of “Wreaths Across America” is to Remember and Honor those who served, those who gave their lives in defense of our country and those who are serving today.  And to Teach our children the value of freedom.

“As veterans we’re proud to offer this program to the Putnam community.  Our volunteers have worked diligently in putting together a program of remembrance and honor with the goal of teaching the lesson of freedom.  This program gives us reason to pause and thank all those who have served and are serving in our military forces,” said Ronald P. Coderre, Commander of American Legion Post #13.

Following the minute of silence at exactly noon, the program will open with the singing of the National Anthem by United States 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 also 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 Connecticut State Senator Mae Flexer of the 29th Senatorial District and Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano.  Their words will be followed by the tossing of a remembrance wreath into the Quinebaug River by American Legion Commander Coderre and Norman Beaupre, Commander of the VFW.  The ceremonial wreath tossing will be followed by Taps performed by members of the Woodstock Coronet Band.

The ceremony will also honor the Aspinock Historical Society for its work in remembering the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.  The program will conclude with the reading of the poem, “Remember Me” recited by its author Jahala Beaupre, Senior Vice President of the VFW Dedication

Following the closing ceremony, the Honor Guard will disburse to local cemeteries and bridges where they will honor veterans by placing wreaths at each location.

“This is a meaningful ceremony of remembrance and honor of our veterans.  We’re encouraging people to pause on that day and join in the ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.  As the country and our community prepare to celebrate our holidays, it’s appropriate to take time to remember,” said Commander Coderre.

The program is coordinated by the two service organizations in cooperation with the Town of Putnam.

 

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