Memorial Day:
‘That we may drink from the same spring of inspiration’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
A solemn Memorial Day with reminders at every turn that freedom isn’t free.
In his closing remarks at the Putnam Memorial Day program MC Roy Simmons (lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy retired) said, “This for some is a very difficult day and I want to give you some reflections from Woodrow Wilson, 1914.” Wilson said: “I will not deny myself the privilege of joining with you in an expression of gratitude and admiration for the men who perished for the sake of the union. They do not need our praise. They do not need that our admiration should sustain them. There is no immortality that is safer than theirs. We came, not for their sake, but for our own in order that we may drink from the same springs of inspiration from which they themselves drank.”
Following Pomfret’s parade, First Selectman Maureen set the tone with the reminder that showing up matters. It shows the importance of remembering and honoring, she said, of those who showed up and never came back.
“Showing up matters. It reminds us that we are not alone in our remembrance, and that together we ensure the memory of our fallen heroes,” she said.
State Representative Pat Boyd joked about the program on what seems like Pomfret’s busiest intersection. “But most people don’t stop and look at the other side of it and look at those who lived in our community — who did give the last full measure. Or in our busy mornings when we go to PCS to drop folks off. We go in and out, really fast, and don’t recognize the plaques at the entrance way that also recognize those PCS students who gave their all at a time of war.” He added, “We are here for a very finite amount of time and how we perform service can come in lots of different ways and serving and paying the ultimate sacrifice in the military is one of the ways.”
In Putnam Roger Franklin (U.S. Army Colonel – retired) said in his keynote address that patriotism is defined as a love, a devotion to one’s country that can manifest itself in many forms. “Today, we gathered to show our patriotism … sometimes in very personal special ways marked by a brave celebration.” “We are nonetheless reminded daily of the freedoms we enjoy.” He also noted that not all casualties or frontline combat are caused by bullets and the military has recognized that and the help for those suffering the trauma of those hauntings.
In Pomfret Pomfret Community School 8th-grader Gavin Deasy read his winning essay on Memorial Day. He wrote that Memorial Day was a day to honor veterans. “They went through hell and back to protect us.”
He added: “Memorial Day is for the veterans wat passed away while keeping us safe. We also have this day to commemorate the legacy that they left behind … We use this day to think of … all the hearts that they touched along the way.”
WWII vet Jim Platt, 97, Pomfret’s remembrance speaker, recalled Memorial Day parades when he was young and “Some of the parades that were held there were more people involved in the parade than were watching it.” When he was in WWII he traveled quite a bit around the western Pacific Ocean. “So today we look back on all the battles and conflicts … and we celebrate and honor their services and thank them for defending their country.”
Putnam’s program included: Parade grand marshal Michael Rocchetti (U.S. Air Force Colonel – retired); Poppy Queens American Legion – Paige Perry and VFW – Rilynne-Mae Sargent; bugler Tyler Eddy; American Legion and VFW color guards with rifleman; Putnam Clipper acapella singers, VFW Chaplain Tod Smith; VFW Post 1523 Commander Jonathan Drew; American Legion Chaplain Pierre Desilets; Mayor Barney Seney; State Senator Mae Flexer; the PHS concert band.
In Pomfret the program included: Nicholson; Selectman Patrick McCarthy; Boyd; Pomfret Lions Clue President Peter Lusa (who presented Deasy a check for his winning essay); Jim Platt, who turned 97 May 26; the Connecticut National Guard the Pomfret Town Band members and many more.
From Deasy’s essay: “We are all guilty of taking what we have for granted. Next time you’re just walking through the park, think about the people that had everything together — wife, kids, parents, siblings. All the things that you could ever want. The people we are memorializing today had most of, if not all, of these things. And they give it all up to serve the United State of America.”
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captions, page 1:
At Pomfret's parade. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photos.
The Putnam Middle School band. Courtesy photo.
The Putnam Fire Dept.
Roger Franklin, left, and Michael Rocchetti were honored with flags.
captions, page 4:
Jim Platt. Photo by Jimi Gothreau
Biker at Vanilla Bean as the Star Spangeled Banner was being sung. Linda Lemmon photo.