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Some of the flags on  the bridge on Rt. 44 in Putnam. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

An idea, which was spawned by Vietnam veteran and Past Commander of the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 Barney Seney, became a reality thanks to the hard work of Post members and the people of the Putnam community.

Seney’s idea was to decorate the recently rebuilt Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street with 16 flags, eight on each side of the bridge.  When the bridge was originally constructed it had flag holders on the outside of each side of the bridge.  The reconstructed bridge is an exact duplicate of the original edifice.

“When I noticed that the flag holders were in place on the bridge, I thought wouldn’t it be great if we could decorate it with flags on national holidays and special occasions celebrated by the Town of Putnam,” said Seney about the project.

Seney approached Post Commander Ronald P. Coderre with the idea, which was endorsed by the Post membership.  According to Seney, the approximate cost of the project, which included the purchase of flags and special manufacturing of poles that would withstand the wind and weather, was approximately $3,500.

Post members endorsed the idea of taking to the air waves on WINY Radio with host Gary “O” to raise the necessary funds.  April 25 Seney and Coderre along with Gary “O” put out the plea to the community.  Their words were heard and embraced and within one hour they had pledges in excess of $5,000.

Beginning May 16, Seney along with Post members Donald Steinbrick, Alan Joslin and Victor Kratz put their mechanical skills to work drilling holes necessary for installing and securing the flags.  By May 20 the flag were in place and proudly blowing in the breeze.  The flags will remain in place through the Memorial Day weekend.  The plan is to remove the flags and reinsert them on 14 different occasions throughout the year.

“Once we had all the facts on the project, the decision to move forward was very easy.  Thanks to Seney and our membership we are enjoying the fruits of a great idea and the hard work of our membership,” said Commander Coderre.

“As American Legion members and veterans of our military our membership is proud of our service to our country.  This is an opportunity to demonstrate to our community the value that we bring as a Post to the community of Putnam,” Coderre added.

The 16 flags will honor America with the flying of ‘Old Glory’ as well as flags of each branch of the military, the POW/MIA flag and the flags of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.