The NOW organization held a Touch a Truck fund-raiser (donations welcome) event last weekend.  Clockwise from top left: Vincent and Thendara Magario of N. Brookfield in the bucket of a payloader. Alanah Bastek, 4, of Dudley in the cab of a self-propelled corn chopper. Joseph Maher of Smithfield in a loader and the front of a 1964 Mack dump truck. Linda Lemmon photos.

 

 

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Program

Several veterans spoke with students at Putnam High School. Left to right: Vietnam veteran Barney Seney, WWII veteran Gerry Salvas (Navy SeaBees), WWII veteran Peter Trama (Merchant Marines), WWII veteran Victor Lippiello (Army paratrooper) and Vietnam-era veteran, Ron Coderre. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

Students

see WWII 

up close,

personal

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

As part of the 70th anniversary celebration of World War II, which is organized by the Aspinock Historical Society, three veterans of the war spoke to students at Putnam High School on, June 4.  The program was organized by Putnam High School history teacher Brian Germain, whose classes are studying the aspects and implications of the war as they relate to our country today.

The panel of World War II veterans included 88-year-old Gerry Salvas, 90-year-old Peter Trama and 95-year-old Victor Lippiello.  They were joined by American Legion Post #13 Past Commander Norman “Barney” Seney and Incoming Commander Ronald P. Coderre, who moderated the program.

Salvas, a U.S. Navy veteran, was a member of the SeaBees, serving on the island of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater.  He was 17 years old when he enlisted.  Salvas brought scrapbooks, maps, artifacts and original newspapers that he’d preserved dating back to the war years.  His collection was a history lesson in itself for the students.

“The battles on Okinawa were fierce.  We were on duty 24/7 with very little rest.  Our role was to construct whatever was necessary in support of our troops.  My time in the SeaBees served me well in later life,” Salvas told the audience.

Trama, a United States Merchant Marine, was 20 years old when he enlisted.   The ships he served on were responsible for transporting goods, supplies and fuel to the troops in the war zones.  The ships were often targets of the German u-boats.  He brought a ship’s manual, which each crew member received, that he’d preserved from the war.

“I was on ships that delivered materials around the world.  Many of our boats were blown out of the water by the enemy subs.  After the war I remained in the Merchant Marines for another seven years.  I still maintain close contact with one of the mates I served with during the war,” said Trama.

Lippiello, a U.S. Army veteran, was serving when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  As a 21 year old his enlistment was extended and he served for the duration of the war.  As a paratrooper, he made 22 jumps.  Two were combat jumps in which he landed behind enemy lines.  He addressed the question of what it was like to jump behind enemy lines.  Lippiello brought a framed photo of himself in full paratrooper paraphernalia, which was circulated through the audience.

“Was I scared when I was dropped behind enemy lines?  You bet I was.  But it was part of my duty and I did it faithfully without question,” Lippiello said.

The more than 100 students, faculty and administrators were spellbound as the men humbly unveiled stories of their experiences that had most likely never been told previously.  The trio openly fielded and addressed questions from the audience during the two-hour program.

Following the speaking program the audience was invited to meet the men individually and speak with them.  Handshakes, embraces and tears were shed as the students and their teachers thanked the men personally for their service to the country during World War II.

During World War II 35 men from Putnam gave their lives in defense of the country.  The committee responsible for the celebration of the end of World War II has a planned program with special events scheduled every month concluding in December with Wreaths Across America, commemorating these men and all those who served during the war.  They are also sponsoring World War II movies at the Putnam Public Library, which are open to the public at no charge.

Members of the committee include Fabiola Cutler, Louise Pempek, Amy Chizen, Jeanne Benoit, Brian Germain, William and Terry Pearsall, Donald Steinbrick, Susan Miour, Ronald Coderre, William Hull and Barney Seney.

 

 

 

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Honored

The Putnam High School 2015 Male and Female Athletes of the Year Jacob Guertin and  Lynsay Dashnaw. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Clippers close

athletic year

with awards

banquet

By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam High School closed out the 2014-2015 sports year with the 61st Athletic Banquet put on by the PHS Alumni Athletic Association, which is chaired by President Peter Vitale.  A capacity crowd of school administrators, faculty, parents, friends and athletes gathered at the Putnam Lodge of Elks to honor the senior athletes and award winners.

Michael Byrnes, the men’s’ basketball coach at Rhode Island College, was the guest speaker.  Byrnes is a 1990 graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he played basketball for the Minutemen.  He’s had extensive coaching experience on the Division I level as an assistant coach and most recently served as the head coach at The Winchendon School, where he compiled an impressive 401-131 record, prior to assuming the coaching position for the Anchormen.

“Whatever career you pursue in life do it with passion.  Individuals who are passionate have a positive attitude and never give up.  These individuals are leaders,” Byrnes told those in attendance.

He explained, “Passionate people have purpose, and are energetic and enthusiastic.  These individuals are gamblers who are willing to take risks as they pursue their dreams.”

The highlight of the program was the naming of the Male and Female Athletes of the Year and the winner of the Steve Bousquet Scholarship Award.  

Lynsay Dashnaw, a three-sport athlete, was named the Female Athlete of the Year.  She played soccer, basketball and softball, serving as the captain of the soccer and basketball teams.

The Male Athlete of the Year was Jacob Guertin, also a three-sport athlete. He starred in soccer, basketball and baseball, serving as captain of all three teams.  Guertin was also awarded the $500 Steve Bousquet Scholarship Award for his performance as an athlete and his outstanding record in the classroom. 

In addition to Byrnes, the gathering was addressed by retiring Principal Joseph Ptaszynski who thanked the athletes and parents for their cooperation and support during his tenure at the school.  Also on the speaking program were Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano and Superintendent of Schools William Hull.  Father David Choquette, pastor of St. Mary and Most Holy Trinity churches, delivered the invocation and benediction.  The National Anthem was sung by Putnam High School alumnus Maurice “Moe” Coderre a 1962 graduate.  John Wilbur, sports director at WINY Radio, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Award Winners: Football – Jacob Phaneuf, The Omer Valade Unsung Hero Award; Ryan Renshaw, The Frank Wallen Outstanding Lineman Award; Jeremee Perez, The Peter Caplette Outstanding Back Award; Cody LaScola, Outstanding Performer.  Boys Soccer – Nathan Tozzi, Unsung Hero; Jacob Guertin, Outstanding Performer.  Girls Soccer – Saige Morin, Unsung Hero; Morgan Foucault, Outstanding Performer.

Cross Country – Vladimir Krivosheev, Most Valuable Performer. Volleyball – Elyse Bergeron, Unsung Hero; Gabrielle Simpson, Outstanding Performer.  Fall Cheerleading – Angelica Desrosiers, Unsung Hero; Ashley Lafortune, Outstanding Performer.

Boys Basketball – Dan Porcic, Unsung Hero; Jeremee Perez, The William Simonzi Outstanding Performer Award.  Girls Basketball – Maria Fredette, Unsung Hero; Alyssa Espinosa, Outstanding Performer.  Winter Cheerleading – Tara Auger, Unsung Hero; Lizz Partlow, Outstanding Performer.         

Baseball – Ryan Whitehouse, Unsung Hero; Nick Foucault, The Paul Fall Outstanding Performer Award.  Softball – Lindsay Roberts, Unsung Hero; Mackenzie Livingston, Outstanding Performer.  Boys Track – Nick Lavoie, Unsung Hero; Kristian Burke, The George St. Marie Outstanding Performer Award; Mitchell Cristofori,The Paul Bourgeois Outstanding Performer Award.  Girls Track – Dakota Anderson, Unsung Hero; Elyse Bergeron and Alexis Macha, Outstanding Performer.  Golf – Nathan Tozzi, The Jeffrey Jankot Outstanding Performer Award.