Putnam patriot., 1919-08-15
AMERICAN LEGION POST
 TAKES FIR. MAYOTTE'S NAME
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MEN ENTHUSIAS
 TIC AT FIRST SMOKER


Full of enthusiasm, and with all of the push and snap that has made the American doughboy famous the world over, 125 ex-service men of Putnam got together Tuesday night in Eagles nall for the first meeting that the local post of the American Legion has held since It was organized. 1t was a red hot meeting. and the spirit that is being shown proves conclusively that Putnam is going to have one of the most up-to- the-minute posts in the state of Connecticut. While in some cities that are larger than Put nam there is difficulty in getting enough members to obtain a charter and start things moving, such is not the case here, for the membership is growing steadily every day. The in- terest being manifested is surprising !; it is genuine interest, and it's going to last, for every member of the post Is booming the legion and doing indi- vidualiy everything he can to make it a real live-wire organization.
 At Tuesday nights meeting the post was named in honor of the late Rev. Anselm J. Mayotte, a former curate of St. Mary's church, who vol unteered as chaplain, was accepted, given q commission as a lieutenant and served overseas. While the regi- nrent to which he was attached was marching through Belgium on it's way to Germany Father Mayotte was thrown from his horse and badly in jured Later pneumonia developed, and from this the heroic chaplain nev- CT recovered. We'll known, widely re- spected and a living example of pa triotism and devotion, it was eminent 1y fitting that his memory should be honored by having the Putnam post named m his memory
 There were other names considered at the meeting. The names of Israel Putnam, Lieutenant David k. Putnam and Norman L. Kennedy were put in nomination, but the sentiment was strongly in favor of Father Mayotte. A ballot vote decided the matter, and the post will henceforth be known as the Anselm J. Mayotte post of the American Legion, No. 13. Father Mayotte's name was placed before the camp by James Charron, who, in making the nomination, briefly relat- ed the facts connected with Father Mayotte's life and death that made it appropriate to give to the post his name.
 During the business session the matter of a post banner or flag was discussed. That the post should have a banner or flag was the unani- nous opinion of the members present, but inasmuch as the financial condi- tion of the organization does not war rant expenditure of funds along this line just at present, the matter was  temporarily put aside.
 In order to stir up enthusiasm among the general public, and to make more widespread the motives and principles of the American Le- zion, efforts will be made to have a speaker in Putnam on Labor Day who will talk to the crowds assembled in the city at that time, when the Vel come Home celebration is to be held.
 After cigars and cigarettes had been passed around by the entertain ment committee, and business was out of the way, President Edward F. Perry called upon Rev. Boynton Mer- Till. pastor of the Second Congrega- tional church, for short talk. MT. Merrill, who served as chaplain on the flagship Pennsylvania during the war. spoke of the advantages and possibilities ahead of the Putnam post. That there are certain things