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PUTNAM — The Memorial Day observance begin with the parade stepping off at 10 a.m. May 27 from Grove Street and will conclude with a memorial program at Rotary Park. 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 veteran 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.
In honor of Day Kimball Hospital’s 125th anniversary, two hospital employees were named marshals.
Parade marshals will be U.S. Navy, LTCDR, Daniel W. O’Neill, MD; and U.S. Army, E-5 Sergeant, Jillian Mancini, MD, who served the country and now work at Day Kimball.
To accommodate older and disabled veterans, who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling parade Chairman Buster Corey at 860-617-8232.
Following the parade, a speaking ceremony will take place in Rotary Park. The keynote address will be given by veteran Dr. O’Neill, parade marshal.
All marching units and on lookers are asked to gather at Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive immediately following the parade for the Memorial Day observance ceremony. The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies, U.S. Air Force, A2C, Ronald P. Coderre. The VFW Chaplin, Gerard Salvas, will be announcing the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the State of Connecticut during duty in 2018. Following the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic in Rotary Park. Refreshments include hot dogs, chips and drinks for as long as they last. Chips are provided by Frito-Lay, Dayville.
Earlier in the week, local veterans will place American flags at the graves of Veterans interred in the St. Mary, Grove Street, Nancy Drive, Munyan Road and Rt. 21 cemeteries. The flags 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 26. The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.
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