Legion Post #13
remembers
Veterans Day
PUTNAM — Three veterans were honored by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post 13 at the annual Veterans Day event.
This year’s three honorees bring the total of those honored in a 12-year span to 26.
The 2021 honorees were WWII veteran Carl Eisen, Vietnam veteran Peter M. LeClair and John W. Kirchner, a Vietnam veteran who was honored posthumously. Eisen served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 in the European Theater of Operations in Italy. He was a radio operator mechanic on the B-24 Liberator. Discharged with the rank of corporal, Eisen received the WWII Victory Medal, the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters, the Balkans Campaign Medal, the Army Air Corps Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He’s a member of American Legion Post #13.
LeClair was called to serve his country in 1966 at the height of the Vietnam war. A military policeman who was part of the 1st Cavalry Division, he was shipped to An Khe in the Highlands of Vietnam. His unit was assigned to escorting convoys of food, ammunition and medical supplies to the troops fighting in the Pleiku region. He was discharged at the rank of Spec 4 and is a member of American Legion Post #13.
Kirchner, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, served two tours in Vietnam and received two Purple Heart awards. The 6-foot, 7-inch Kirchner, affectionately known to his fellow troops as “Tree,” was actively engaged in the Tet Offensive as a marksman sniper. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. Discharged in 1973 at the rank of Sgt. – E5, Kirchner died in 2020 suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. His plaque was accepted by his daughter Candice Kirchner.
“Honoring veterans on this night is always the most memorable portion of our program. As American Legion veterans this program is very meaningful to us and the recipients and their families. It’s a very small way of extending our thanks to those who served defending our freedom,” said Michael Vassar, Post #13 commander.
The program included celebrity bartending and an auction and a drawing. More than $19,000 was raised and will be used for two scholarships, the high school Constitutional Oratorical contest, the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program, Boys State, veteran families during the holiday season, Americanism programs in the Putnam Middle School and other local charitable causes. Along with the Post golf tournament and the charity club, the Veterans Day event is the largest fund-raiser of Post #13.
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The new scoreboard for the swimmers at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center that was funded with a grant from the Putnam Area Foundation.
Tom Borner of the Putnam Area Foundation holding the knit cap the swimmers gave him.
The Hale Y Riptides swim team also made a "handmade" thank you card for the Putnam Area Foundation.
Foundation
'scores' for
Y swimmers
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — When he saw the wire dangling on the wall at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, Thomas Borner knew he had to fix the problem.
The wire dangles no more. The Putnam Area Foundation donated $31,500 for a scoreboard and state-of-the-art timing system for the swim team.
At the dedication of the scoreboard and timing system Nov. 20, the Putnam Area Foundation’s Borner said swimming is near and dear to his heart. In fact, he’s often swimming at the Hale Y’s indoor pool.
The grant of $31,500 paid for the large electronic scoreboard and a computer timing system that includes buzzers, horns and precise touch pads at the start/finish wall in the pool.
Jeff Williams, director of Grants and Communication Strategies for the Greater Hartford YMCA, said Borner, the foundation and Putnam Bank before that “have been part of this dream for a long time.” He thanked Borner for “helping us put the finishing touches on.”
Amanda Kelly, executive director of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, said the scoreboard and timing system have been many years in the making. “We’ve been in discussions for three, four, five years,” she said. In February 2020 the Y made a formal presentation to the foundation, describing the need for a scoreboard and timing system.
The “significant donation” for the scoreboard and timing system got the first meet since February 2020, when COVID hit, off to a great start.
The system helps the Y promote friendships and growth in people, she added.
Even swimmers were thrilled, saying they are so happy to have the Y and so happy to have the scoreboard and timing system. “This is a great addition,” said one swimmer. It did not go unnoticed by the swimmers that in addition to swimming, Borner can be spotted walking around town. As a thank you to Borner, one swimmer knitted a warm hat for him, since it’s getting cold.
The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center swim team, the Riptides, put the board and timing system to use immediately in the meet against the Cranston Y Marlins. The Riptides are coached by Brian Reilly and the assistant coach is Irma Allegretti.
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Perfect Fall Snap Shot
Shadows and golden leaves on a crisp fall day in Pomfret. Linda Lemmon photo.
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PUTNAM and TEWKSBURY, Mass. — Day Kimball Healthcare and Covenant Health, Inc. last week entered into an affiliation agreement allowing both organizations to move forward with discussions aimed at Day Kimball Healthcare becoming a full member of Covenant Health.
The news follows several months of conversations between the two entities. Once details are worked out and regulatory approvals are granted, Day Kimball Healthcare will be able to leverage resources available through the Covenant Health system, including access to capital for investment in Information Technology platforms and an electronic health record while retaining its focus on its mission and the local community. No expectation was established for the affiliation to become final as the regulatory review and approval process is extensive.
As part of the proposed affiliation, Day Kimball’s hospital, medical group, home care, hospice and palliative care and four health centers located across Northeast Connecticut would be owned and operated by Covenant Health. Day Kimball Healthcare’s community-led board of directors will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to Covenant Health’s board of directors, preserving local influence on decisions. Like Day Kimball, Covenant Health shares a deep commitment to serving people of all faiths, backgrounds and incomes — just as Day Kimball does today.
“Day Kimball Healthcare is proud of our 127-year tradition of providing the highest quality care and always acting with the community’s best interest in mind,” said R. Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball Healthcare. “This affiliation with Covenant Health will further enhance our ability to serve our immediate community and beyond, and will also provide us the opportunity to make much needed investments in our electronic, physical, and clinical infrastructure.”
“We have had many productive and encouraging conversations with the leadership of Day Kimball Healthcare,” said Stephen Grubbs, president/CEO of Covenant Health. “The agreement we signed today allows us to take the next steps in this process, including working out important details and filing requests for approval of the proposed transition with various regulatory agencies.”
Covenant is a not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns and operates 12 skilled nursing and senior living communities and three hospitals spread throughout New England and into Pennsylvania. Much like Covenant Health, which has roots dating back 150 years, Day Kimball was founded in 1894 and has strong ties to the communities it serves. By joining forces with Covenant Health, Day Kimball Healthcare can achieve an economy of scale and operating efficiencies that will make more efficient, effective and financially viable — even during a time of unprecedented change in healthcare industry.
Day Kimball Healthcare is comprised of Day Kimball Hospital, Day Kimball Medical Group and four ambulatory healthcare centers in Connecticut including Danielson, Dayville, Plainfield and Putnam. Day Kimball also operates Day Kimball HomeMakers, Day Kimball HomeCare and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut.
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Agreement Signed
Day Kimball Healthcare Nov 16, signed an affiliation agreement with Covenant Health. From left: Steve Grubbs, president/ CEO of Covenant Health; Janice Thurlow, chairman of the Day Kimball Healthcare Board of Directors; and R. Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball Healthcare. Courtesy photo.
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