Honoring

veterans at 

‘Wreaths

Across 

America’ 

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

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

On Dec. 17, exactly at noon, the community of Putnam along with towns throughout America 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 U. S. Congress voted unanimously to honor veterans in December as “Wreaths Across America Day.”  That year, 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.  This year more than 1,100 ceremonies will be held simultaneously across our great nation. 

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 remember those who gave their lives, and to pause and thank all those who have served and are currently serving in our military forces,” said Ronald P. Coderre, commander of Post #13.

Following the minute of silence at exactly noon, the program will open with 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 Connecticut State Senator Mae Flexer of the 29th Senatorial District and Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano.  Daniel Rovero, state representative from the 51st Assembly District and a U.S. Army veteran, will also be on hand for the ceremony.   The reflections 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 Putnam High School band, followed by a rifle volley.

The ceremony will also honor the memory of Douglas Cutler, the late Putnam town administrator who died unexpectedly in October.

“Mr. Cutler was a tireless worker on behalf of our community.  We could count on his assistance every year for Wreaths Across America.  This tribute is our way of keeping his memory alive,” said Coderre.

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 day will also mark the formal retirement of the flags on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street.  The flags will be retired until Memorial Day 2017 when they will once again fly until Wreaths Across America 2017.  

“This is a meaningful ceremony of remembrance and honor to 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 Coderre.

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