PUTNAM — The Town’s Memorial Day observance will take place May 29 with the parade step off at 10 a.m.  and will conclude with a memorial program at St. Mary Church grounds. In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM the morning of the parade.

The parade will feature a lineup of marchers which will include town officials, a National Guard Unit, local veterans groups, VFW and American Legion poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups. Patriotic music will be provided by local bands and the Putnam High and Middle School bands.

The parade marshal will be U.S. Navy PO 2 Alan Joslin. He entered the service while a senior at Putnam High School.  He graduated in June 1966. He was officially sworn into the U.S. Navy in July 1966.  He spent the first two years on tug boats in Bremerton, Wash., Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.  

He volunteered for Vietnam April 1968.  Joslin went to special training in Coronado, Calif. In December of 1968 he was in Vietnam attached to U.S. Army MACV as an advisor on river patrol boats. In September of 1969 he was wounded in an ambush with fellow advisor James W. Sampers who died from his wounds.  In time Joslin was sent stateside, he remained in the hospital for almost one year. He was honorably discharged in August 1970.

Joslin worked for the State of Connecticut (DOT) as a mechanic at the Putnam garage for 30 years.  He is a member of VFW Post 1523 of Putnam.  He is an active member of American Legion Post 13 where he is a member of the color Guard and currently senior vice commander.

To accommodate older and disabled veterans, who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling the VFW at 860-928-9897.

Following the parade a speaking ceremony will take place at St. Mary’s Church grounds. Our key note address will be given by veterans Command Sergeant Major Roger Daigle Sr. and his son Command Sergeant Major Roger Daigle Jr.  Roger Sr. was born in Putnam and graduated from Putnam High School. Immediately following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving three years in the Marine Corps he returned home to Putnam and enlisted in the CT Army National Guard Putnam Unit. He remained in the unit until 1976 and then re-enlisted in the U.S. Army. 

Command Sergeant Major Roger Daigle Jr. is a native of Pomfret. He enlisted in the Army August 1987, he completed training at Fort Huachuca Ariz., where he was awarded as a Military Occupational Specialty of Intelligence Analyst. SGM Daigle overseas service includes Panama, Republic of Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan

The Knights of Columbus Cargill Council #64 will be celebrating their 125th Anniversary this year.

 Grand Knight David Lamontagne, Sr. will have some remarks about the Council Anniversary.

All marching units and onlookers are asked to gather at St. Mary’s Church grounds immediately following the parade for the Memorial Day observance ceremony. The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies Ronald P. Coderre, a U.S. Air Force veteran. The VFW Chaplin Gerry Salvas, will be announcing the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the State of Connecticut during duty in 2016. Lillium Florist will be at the ceremony to distribute roses to family members of deceased and living veterans. Following the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic at St. Mary’s Church grounds. Refreshments include hot dogs, chips & drinks for as long as they last. 

Earlier in the week, local veterans will place American flags at the graves of Veterans interred in the 

St. Mary, Grove Street and Nancy Drive, Munyan Road and Rt. 21 cemeteries. There they will remain until Veterans Day in November.

The traditional wreath laying and military tributes at Putnam cemeteries, bridges and monuments will be conducted by a National Guard firing squad plus officers and color guards from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, starting at 10 a.m. May 28. The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.