Veterans honored; 
funds raised
By Michael Rocchetti
PUTNAM — At its annual Veterans Day Guest Bartending and Veteran Recognition, held Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post 13 honored three local veterans, awarded a Quilt of Honor and raised more than $11,000.
The Master of Ceremonies, Post 13 Commander Michael Rocchetti, “The Guest Bartenders really brought in a tremendous amount of donations for the Post. This is really important for us because it helps pay for our scholarships, American Legion Baseball, Boys State, Girls State, the State Police Youth Academy, the youth oratorical contest, our Veterans-in-need fund, and our on-going Americanism initiatives.” 
The guest bartending teams included four teams. Team 1 had Matt Desaulnier, Jeff Rawson, Earl Rosebrooks, and Gary Osbrey. Team #2 had Sean Saucier, Larry Filippelli, Steve Raheb, and Gary Osbrey. Team #3 had Lynn Converse, Brad Favreau, Dick Loomis, and Donna Breton, and finally, Team #4 had Roger Franklin, Jeff Ploughman, Crystal Lanning, Jillian Mancini and Jacob Hicks.
Commander Rocchetti also recognized the generosity of the many donors that made the event successful: “Dozens of gift baskets were donated for the raffle, and several nice auction items were donated by members and friends. According to Post 13’s Finance Officer Chas Mackenzie: “between the tips, donations, raffle ticket sales, and auctions, this event raised just over $11,600 for the Post – I am overwhelmed by the generosity of all of the people who made this possible, especially:  Craig Gates, Steve Raheb, Tom Borner, Roger Franklin, Gary Osbrey, Matt DeSaulnier, Earl Rosebrooks, Jeff Rawson, Amy St Onge, Danielson Veterans Coffee House, George Amenabar, Dick Loomis, Lauren Briere, Barney Seney, Donna Breton, Linda Lemmon, Lucilee Nelson, and Jonathan Fritz.
The highlight of the night was when Post 13 honored three local veterans for their military and community service: Ronald Coderre, Bruce Hay, and Brian Maynard. The Legion Post also presented a Quilt of Valor to Brian Maynard in recognition of his wartime service during the 1st Guld War. The beautiful quilt was skillfully crafted by Maureen Desilets.
Ronald P Coderre has been a member of the American Legion since 1984. He served as a radar operator in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1965. A graduate of Assumption College in Worcester, he worked many years as the vice president for Philanthropy, Marketing, and Public Relations at Day Kimball Hospital. He has been very active in the Putnam community, and has received numerous awards and recognition for his service to the community.
Bruce Hay served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 until 1970 as a machinery repairman aboard the USS Fulton, a submarine tender stationed at New London. He started a successful truck repair business in 1983, which his son has taken over. He has been very involved with the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, and is the organizer and driving force behind the monthly Food Share distribution at the Farmer’s Market in Putnam.
Brian Maynard is a past commander of Post #13, and has been instrumental in fund-raising activities for the Post. He was an Army veteran who served in Iraq as a helicopter crewman during the 1st Gulf War. After serving in the Army, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Connecticut State University. He is very involved in various community service roles and in local politics.
Linda Colangelo sang the National Anthem as well as the songs for the branches of the service.
Photos on page 6

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