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A red rose adorns one of the veterans honor pavers in the completed Veterans Park. More photos on page 4 and an expanded photo array on Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.

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The color guard at the head of the Putnam Parade. Photo courtesy of Michael Rocchetti.

The WPTP Hawks

Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 66

Selectmen and Mayor Seney

Putnam: The gravity of the sacrifice
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
In Putnam, one speaker after another urged those attending the post-parade program, to be mindful of the solemnity of the day. The gravity the sacrifice.
The parade marshal was Pierre Desilets, chaplain and the Poppy Queens were Harper Thompson for the American Legion and Gloria Challinor for the VFW.
Also taking part were: the American Legion and VFW color guards with rifleman, the Putnam Clipper Acapella group and the PHS Concert Band and the PMS band, wreath laying by VFW Post commander Hans Lowell and Legion Commander Michael Rocchetti, Mayor Barney Seney, VFW Chaplain Tod Smith and MC Roy Simmons.
Keynote speaker Rocchetti, commander of American Legion Post 13, said the first national observance of Memorial Day was May 30, 1868 and was known as Decoration Day. The holiday was initiated by a Union Army general to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the American Civil War. Rocchetti then described the 14 soldiers from Putnam who paid the highest price in that war.
“The Town of Putnam paid a very high price during the Civil War. My intent is to offer a brief glimpse of the terrible human tragedy. I can only imagine the pain and suffering of their families, friends, widows and orphans over the heart breaking loss of their loved ones.”
Second Lieutenant Putnam Day he contracted camp disease (probably typhoid fever) and died at the age of 32. He left behind a wife – Caroline Day (nee Harrington).
Private Charles H Morse was a millwright and was killed in action at the Burnside Bridge over the Antietam Creek. He was 31.
Private George W Pickett was a machine operator at a fabric mill. He was killed in action during the Gettysburg Campaign at the age of 30. The Union lost this battle and many soldiers from the 18th CT were captured by the Confederates.
Sergeant William Blanchard was a furniture mover who was killed in action during the Western Campaign in Louisiana. He was 48 and left behind two daughters, Phebe and Mary.
Private A. Judson Aldrich was killed in action while attacking Confederate fortifications at the entrance to Charleston Harbor. He was 29 and is buried at the Grove Street Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant Marshall Tourtellotte was the son of a successful trader from a prominent French Huguenot family. He was also killed in action at Charleston Harbor. Tourtellotte, 24, left behind a wife Ellen, and two sons and is buried at the Grove Street Cemetery.
Private Maxime H Charboneau (or Sherbeone, Shurborn) was a French Canadian immigrant from Quebec who worked in a cotton mill. He was also killed in action at Charleston Harbor.
Private Charles T Hill worked at his parents’ farm in Putnam. He was captured at the 2nd Battle of Fort Wagner (S.C.) and became deathly ill in captivity. He was paroled and died two days later at the Union Army Hospital. He was 24 and is buried at the Putnam Heights Cemetery.
Private Frank E. Morse was wounded at Fort Wagner, recovered and returned to duty. Then he was killed at the 2nd battle of Deep Run. He left behind a wife – Anna and is buried at the North Ashford Cemetery.
Corporal Joseph Billington was an immigrant from Canada who worked as a machine operator at a mill. He died in a train accident while on furlough. He was 44 and left behind a wife, Triphenia and four daughters.
Private John Morrison was an Irish immigrant who worked as a machine operator at a factory. He was reported MIA and was presumed dead. He was 34 and left behind a wife – Lizzie Morrison.
Sergeant John B Scott was a Scottish immigrant farm worker who worked on Lucian Burleigh’s farm in Plainfield. He was captured, paroled and then killed in action KIA during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. He was 22 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Central Village.
Private Henry King was an Irish immigrant farm laborer who worked on Payson Grosvenor’s farm in Pomfret. He died the field hospital from grape shot wounds to both legs. He was 28.
Private Pierre Vandale was a French Canadian immigrant from Quebec. He was wounded, recovered and returned to duty. He was killed accidently by a comrade. He was 52 and left behind a wife and four children. He is buried at the Grove Street Cemetery.
These brave men gave everything they had in the line of duty. We owe it to these soldiers – to make sure that they are never forgotten, and the memory of their service and sacrifice will forever live on in the hearts and minds of the grateful people of Putnam.

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