Putnam's
Memorial Day
parade, ceremony
PUTNAM — The town’s Memorial Day parade will step off at 10 a.m. May 29 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 and 97.1 FM Radio 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, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups. The 2023 American Legion Poppy Queen is Emily St. Martin. The VFW Poppy Queen is Rilynne Mae Sargent.
The parade marshal is Rolland “Rollie” Johnson, a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Korean war from 1952 to 1954.
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.
Immediately following the parade, a spoken Memorial Day observance ceremony will take place in Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive. The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies, Lieutenant Commander U.S. Navy (retired) Roy Simmons. The keynote address will be given by U.S. Army Veteran James Eccleston, 8th Signal Battalion – 8th Infantry. VFW Chaplin Tod Smith and American Legion Chaplin Pierre Desilets will offer prayers to begin and end the program.
After the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic in Rotary Park. Refreshments will include hot dogs, chips, and 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, Nancy Drive, Munyan Road, and Route 21 cemeteries. The flags will remain in place 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 VFW, starting at 10 a.m. May 28.
The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.
Contact the VFW at 860-928-9897 with any questions.

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