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Presentation
The American Legion Post #13 of Putnam presents a magazine rack to the Putnam Public Library. Priscilla Colwell, library director, center, is pictured with American Legion Commander Alan Joslin, left, and Past Commander and District #4 Sr. Vice Commander Ronald P. Coderre. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 of Putnam paid a visit to the Putnam Public Library and presented library director Priscilla Colwell with the gift of a new magazine rack. Post Commander Alan Joslin, accompanied by Past Commander and District #4 Sr. Vice Commander Ronald P. Coderre, made the presentation.
Post #13 has been supplying the Putnam Public Library with the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force Times for about five years. The library, which serves as a central location for many local organizations to display their literature, was lacking suitable locations to display materials until Post #13 approached Colwell with the idea of purchasing magazine racks. The newest rack is the third donated to the library in the past three years.
“Today’s library is more than books,” said Colwell. “People come to the library for a variety of reasons. Some come for educational purposes while others may use our facility for meetings, technology or simply as a location to meet other people.”
Colwell, who’s been the library director in Putnam for 12 years, said approximately 1100 individuals walk through the doors on a weekly basis. This is a significant increase from the days when a library was simply a place to borrow books and do research.
“Our Post is very community oriented. When we noticed the need for display racks, we felt it was part of our Legion mission to step in and assist. The racks not only provide us a location to display our literature but also give other organizations a similar opportunity,” said Joslin.
In 2019 The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a veteran’s organization in Putnam. According to Joslin, the Post is planning a number of activities throughout the year to commemorate this significant time in its history. Activities are in the planning stages with the Putnam Public Schools, the Town of Putnam, as well as the library and the Putnam Aspinock Historical Society.
The anniversary date of the official founding of the Post is July 7. A program is in the preparation stages for that date to honor the two veterans whose names are on the Post. Father Anselm Mayotte and George R. Viens, who gave their lives in defense of our great nation, will be honored this coming summer.
“I’m urging community members to watch for upcoming announcements about the programs we’re planning. We are hoping to share as much of our history with the people of Putnam and surrounding areas as possible,” concluded Commander Joslin.
The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 currently has a growing membership of 170 members. The members meet monthly on the second Monday of the month at the Gerardi Insurance Agency conference room at 6 p.m. Veterans who are interested in becoming members are encouraged to contact Commander Joslin at 860.928.3776 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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