Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1928-05-31
Putnam Pays Fitting Memorial
Tribute to Veterans Of All
Wars
Big Paradc.-Craves Decorated. -
Patriotic Exercises

Under a deep blue sky that was al
most cloudless, with warm May sun
shining brightly. flags flying from
many buildings, and the Shenandoah
flag decorating system making q lane
Of the National colors through the
business section, the scene was set in
Putnam for one of the most impress
sive observances Of Memorial Day that
this city has seen in many years. We'd
nesday morning.
Doubts that the veterans of the Civ
II War might be forgotten as the living
ranks diminished must have been
forever dispelled The seven or eight
remaining members Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic. who rode In
automobiles IN the procession, must
have been impressed with the stirring
sight OF the young men and women Of
the present generation TO come march
ing in line, the city's outward display
of the reverence in which the coun-
/ try's dead heroes are ever remember
ed
/ With the same martial tread which
but few years ago the men who
+ fought To preserve the Union were
wont to march on each both
( day of May. were seen the vet
Grams Of the Spanish War
and the boys Of the late World
War. supported hy ladies' organiza-
TONS and by the children Of all
schools in the town. With bands Of
music and flying colors the big parade
rot under way from Union Square al
$50 o'clock in the following forma-
tom
Line of Formation
+ Detail Of eight members af Putnam
police force red by Captain William
Jarvis, himself 40 overseas World
War veteran.
Marshal Major A. p. Mcintyre, a
veteran Of two wars, and aides on
horseback
Putnam Band. Albert Gagne Drum
Major.
Headquarters Company 49rd Divi-
sion. G. N c., Capt John J. McGarry
in command.
A. Wilder Merriam Camp, SPANISH
American War veterans, Henry l..
Converse commanding.
Albert J. Breuult Post, Veterans Of
Foreign Wars, +. J. Durand command
ing
Anselm Mayotte Post. American
Legion, Martin b. Robertson IN com
mand
Boy Scouts Of America including
Troops q 3 and 4, st. Mary's Boy
Scouts and their band in command Of
Father Casey.
School children of st. Mary's
school. girls dressed in white, carry
ing the parish service flag.
Public school children in charge Of
Superintendent Ralph c. Jenkins and
Principal f. l.. Robinson Of the Put
nam high school, with the High School
service flag.
Three children representing the
Spirit Of '76.
Veterans Of the Civil War, Ladies'
of the w. r. G.. and Of the G. A. r.,
disabled veterans, town and city Off
cials. speakers and invited guests, in
automobiles
Line Of March
The line formed Ia Union Square,
Union and Front streets and headed
by the Putnam band, marched down
pomfret street to the Memorial
bridge. Here wreath was laid at the
base Of the memorial tablets and the
line conntermarched returning 20
Front street. South Main and Grove
streets to the Soldiers Monument
where a wreath was laid at the base
Of the monument. Then the line
moved through Ring street. 20 Grove,
to South Main, 10 Front 70 Main, 20
Providence street and 20 St iary's
cemetery where the mcmori Il exer-
cises were held. Rev. u. o. Belleroso
acing as master Of ceremonies.
( After Rev. II. y. Hodge pronounce
ed the invocation there wna singing
f. by a quartette from St. Mary's choir
Rev. Thomas Powell Of Woodstock
gave a stirring patriotic address The
exercises we're fttingly closed by a
Salute and Taps.
And so Putnam revived the elabo-
rate observance Of Memorial Day Of
past years and il will doubtless be re-
enacted in years to come that those
resting IN all Of the cemeteries Of the
town will ever be remembered.
All graves Of soldiers in all Of the
cemeteries Of Putnam were decorated
with fresh flowers by details assign
ed 20 this purpose.
In the Schools
Memorial Day exercises were held
in all schools, Tuesday Several vet
Grams Of the Civil War under the su-
pcrvision Of Mrs. Cora 3. Adams OF
the Woman's Relief Corps and Com
mander Martin b. Robertson Of the
American Legion, visited the different
schools where fitting exercises were
held. A. A. Buchanan. one Of the
eight remaining veterans. made short
addresses 70 the pupils giving a word
picture Of the struggle to preserve the
Union. Other Civil War veterans in
cluded II. l.. Barrett. Mark c. Lew
is and Thomas Ii Taylor, the last
survivor Of the batsleship Monitor
that put to route the ironelad Mcrri-