- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Memorial Day parade/program
PUTNAM — The town’s Memorial Day observance starts with a parade stepping off at 10 a.m. May 31 and will conclude with a memorial program at the Riverview Market Pavilion (farmers’ market) on Kennedy Drive.
Tune in to WINY 1350 AM the morning of the parade, in case of inclement weather.
The parade will start on Canal Street, go up Kennedy Drive and end at the Riverview Market Pavilion. The parade will feature a lineup of marchers including town officials, Color Guard, local veterans groups, the Putnam Police Department and the East Putnam and Putnam Fire departments. Patriotic music will be provided by the Putnam High School and Middle School bands.
The program’s keynote address will be given by U.S. Navy veteran - Submarine division, Jeff DeClerk. He will highlight the heroic Medal of Honor, achievements of Putnam’s own, Henry Breault, a WWI Navy veteran.
The program will be led by Commander, U.S. Navy (retired), Roy Simmons. The VFW Chaplin Tod Smith, will be announcing the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the State of Connecticut during duty in 2020. Following the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a Grab-N-Go lunch.
Earlier in the week, local veterans will place American flags at the graves of veterans interred in the St. Mary, Grove Street, Nancy Drive, Munyan Road and Rt. 21 cemeteries. The flags will remain until Veterans Day in November.
The traditional wreath laying and military tributes at Putnam cemeteries, bridges and monuments will be conducted by a National Guard firing squad plus officers and color guards from the Putnam American Legion and VFW, starting at 10 a.m. May 30. The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.
For more information contact Brian Maynard, American Legion Post 13 Commander, at 860-942-7808.
.