A ‘sign’ of renewal  at the cemetery

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It was nearly two years in the making but the “vision” to replace the signposts inside the Grove Street Cemetery is nearly finished.
Some members of the Putnam Cemetery Association, which includes the Grove Street Cemetery, the Putnam Heights Cemetery and the cemetery on River Road, had the vision to do something about the nearly 100-year-old signposts in the Grove Street Cemetery.
Jim Shaw, superintendent, said it took nearly two years of research and fund-raising, to replace the 25 sign posts and signs. They help visitors find their way. 
“Greg King was one of the members who had the vision to update the signposts,” Shaw said. Valentine Imamartino, association vice president, “ran with the idea,” he added.
Imamartino said the years had not been kind to the signposts that had probably been there, in Shaw’s estimation, since the 1930s. Many were missing; others were deteriorated, rotted, rusted out. “I wanted it to be done right — so that these signposts go another 100 years,” she said.
She found an architectural sign business with its own foundry in Pennsylvania for the new signs. The old signs were “somewhat black” with white lettering on them. The new ones are cast aluminum, powder coated with dark green with white lettering. 
Shaw said by the time the signs arrived last year, it was too late to install them, weather-wise.
She said King and Shaw were a huge help in getting the layout squared away. Some of the roads in the cemetery were changed or added, and there were questions on where the crossroads were. King and Shaw worked out where the signposts would go.
Andy Tetreault Lawn Service of Sterling has done a good bit of excavation and stone work at the cemetery. He pulled out all the old signposts and cemented the new posts into the ground. Jesse Peterson, groundskeeper, installed the tops, making sure they were straight, straight, straight. Some of the signs are doubles and some are singles. He said, weather permitting, it shouldn’t take long to finish the installation.
The total cost of the project, including installation is about $15,000, Imamartino said. 
Because perpetual care fees scarcely cover maintenance, Imamartino said the association is looking for sponsors for the signs. She said several board members and community members have already sponsored a sign but more sponsors are needed.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of the signposts for $300, call or text Imamartino at: 860-428-1290. In addition, the association is selling the classic old signposts. 
She said she hopes this is the start of more updates at the cemetery. Other markers and perhaps a large sign at the corner of Grove Street and Killingly Avenue are possibilities. 

caption, page 1: At Work
Jesse Peterson attaches the sign on top of the signpost at the Grove Street Cemetery. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photo.
captions, page 4: New Sign Posts
Clockwise from top left. An overview of Grove Street Cemetery with one of the new signposts installed. The old signs are available for purchase. Call or text Valentine Imamartino at 860-428-1290. Andy Tetreault of Tetreault Landscaping  and helper Jason McLevy installing the sign posts. All page 4 photos courtesy of Valentine Imamartino.

The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
 March 9
Adam Tawfik Eldib, 43, Broad Street, Danielson; first-degree criminal trespass, disorderly, criminal violation of a restraining order.
March 14
Nicholas Jon Holmes, 43, South Main Street, Putnam; third-degree criminal mischief.
Christopher Michael Laprey, 48, Powhattan Street, Putnam; fifth-degree larceny.

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Letter to the Editor: 
A Memorable Henry Breault Day
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in and attended the Henry Breault Day ceremony on March 8, 2025, making it an unforgettable tribute. Thanks to your support, March 8 is now officially recognized in our community as the day we honor Putnam’s only Medal of Honor recipient, Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class (TM2) Henry Breault.
On October 28, 1923, TM2 Breault exemplified extraordinary devotion to duty. When his submarine, the USS O-5 (SS-66), began to sink, he heroically reentered the vessel to rescue Chief Electrician’s Mate Lawrence T. Brown, saving his life at great personal risk. His bravery was recognized on March 8, 1924, when President Calvin Coolidge presented him with the Medal of Honor. Breault became the first enlisted submariner—and to this day remains the only enlisted submariner—to receive the Medal of Honor.
Dedicating March 8 to Henry Breault reflects our community’s deep and enduring gratitude for Putnam residents who have committed their lives to military service. It was a privilege to organize this event, and the Henry Breault Association is immensely grateful for the overwhelming support we received.
So, what’s next for Henry Breault’s legacy?
Our ultimate goal is to see one of the Navy’s next Virginia-class submarines named in his honor. A national petition to support this effort is currently available on the American Legion Post #13’s Facebook page, and I urge all Putnam residents to sign it. This petition, combined with broader national initiatives, is paving the way to make this dream a reality.
Thank you again to our incredible community for celebrating Henry Breault’s heroism with us.
Sincerely,
Brian Maynard
Founding Board Member, Henry Breault Association
Past Commander, American Legion Post #13
U.S. Army, 1990–1996 

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