left:   Louis Castonguay, Bristol Commander F.A.W.V., 1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr,  P.N.C.F.A.W.V.
Robert Montgomery, News Correspondent , Gill Charbonneau Volunteer Ambassador, US ARMY.

Certificates of Appreciation being awarded to  "Bristol  Senior  Center" 
on 8/26/2009

Click on picture to enlarge !

         
-A-                            -B-
-A-  Front row, Left :  Darlene Coffey, Assistant Director, and Peggy Sokol, Executive Director
Back row, Left:  Louis Castonguay, Earl Dube, Wilfred Lavoie, Sgt Henry Raymond.

-B-  Left:  Darlene Coffey, Robert Coffey, Peggy Sokol.

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Certificates of Appreciation being awarded to  "Barker  Specialty  Co."  
on 8/03/2009
www.barkerspecialty.com

Click on picture to enlarge !

                     
A)                           B)                               C)

A)  (Left) Gill Charbonneau, Volunteer Ambassador US Army,
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr., Honor Guard, Darlene Bowen, CFO/Corporate Treasurer,
Shannon Dubey, Sr. Account Exe., Wilfred Lavoie, Honor Guard.

B)  (Left)  1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr. Honor Guard, Gerald Barker, President,
Patti Salerno, Receptionist, Darlene Bowen, CFO/Corporate Treasurer,
Shannon Dubey, Sr. Account Exe., Wilfred Lavoie, Honor Guard.

C)  (Left)  Patti Salerno, Receptionist,
Darlene Bowen, CFO/Corporate Treasurer, Shannon Dubey, Sr. Account Exe.,

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Certificate of Appreciation being awarded to "Crystal Diner"
on 7/29/2009.

  left: Louis Castonguay, Honor Guard, Commander FAWV,
Mrs Salma Hamzy, Owner of Crystal Diner,
Gill Charbonneau Volunteer Ambassador US Army,
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, Honor Guard, Wilfred Lavoie, Honor Guard.

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                                   Click on picture to enlarge ...

October 2, 2009

Dear Henry J. Raymond Jr.,

On behalf of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, we would like to thank you very much for your participation in the First Candlelight Ceremony of Remembrance at the National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument held  on VJ Day, August 15, 2009. 

The presence of your Military Honor Guard at the ceremony was greatly appreciated by all. Your honor guard ceremony with riffle salute and taps was beautiful. It had a positive memorable impact on the families present and made the ceremony one that respectfully honored the memory of their loved ones. It truly gave dignity and respect to all those veterans that were remembered and honored that day. We are so happy that your group unselfishly gave of your time to attend and be part of the ceremony.

We thank you again for coming through with your help and contribution to the ceremony. We plan to include you in our report of the event and will send you a copy when it is completed. As a person who has lost my father and brother who were veterans, I personally know how much your honor guard services mean to the families. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness in attending the Iwo Jima Survivors Association Candlelight Ceremony.

Sincerely,
Marianne Mihalyo and Gary Roy

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                  Everyday Heroes:    Ist SGT  Henry J.   Raymond Jr.
              Man Brings Recognition To Veterans
                   November 16, 2007

    BRISTOL, Conn. -- A Connecticut veteran has made it his mission to bring recognition to others who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Henry Raymond began his military career during World War II, serving as a member of the Maine State Guard. "I was 17 years old in 1943 when I went in," he said. Raymond later served in both the Connecticut State Guard and the Army Reserve, retiring from his military career 20 years ago at age 60. However, Raymond came out of retirement at age 80 and re-enlisted as part of the military honor guard. Every veteran is entitled to a military funeral. That's what we provide," Raymond said. "We had to enlist in the Connecticut State Guard and Reserve."  The honor guard, formed by Raymond late last year, provides a three-gun salute at the funeral of any honorably discharged veteran.  Since Jan. 12 of this year, I think I have 85 funerals," he said.  Raymond said that sometimes he performs two to three funerals in one day.  For the past two decades, Raymond has also been working to help living veterans. He devotes his time to bring veterans in his car to sign up for their benefits," said Korean War veteran Wilfred Lavoie. "It's very important because veterans don't know sometimes that they have benefits coming to them."  Raymond said he helps veterans fill out applications for VA benefits. He also created a memorial to veterans alongside Bristol's Memorial Drive. The path of personalized bricks bears the names of veterans. Raymond also served for 39 years as a member of the volunteer Terryville Fire Department, and helped create a new fire company years ago. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have a firehouse up on Fall Mountain," said Connie Aubin, of Terryville.
 071120
        

FROM  CANADA

     THESE COLORS DON'T RUN    

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On February 11, 2010 the US Army discontinued the program.

      "THANK  YOU"  program

This program had been initiated to honor  U.S. Veterans Soldiers, their Parents, Spouse and anyone who had helped them.  


     "NOMINATIONS   WANTED"

The  "Thank you"  program was accepting nominations. E-mails could be sent to Gill Charbonneau  for processing.

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May 19, 2009
Dear Editor: 

Another Memorial Day is approaching, a time to remember all military Veterans.   I note almost daily as I read through the obituaries the number of Veterans who are leaving us.  There seems to be more lately.

I would like to remind  "THE  BRISTOL  OBSERVER"    readers that I continue to be a volunteer Ambassador for the U.S. Army's Freedom Team Salute program.   This is a FREE outreach program to thank all U.S. Veterans for their service to our country.  Let's honor the Veterans in our lives now while we still can.   Army Veterans will receive an official commendation package from the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff that includes a personalized letter of thanks and certificate of appreciation, an Army lapel pin, and two U.S. Army decals.

All I need is the name of the honorably discharged Veteran (active, Army Guard, Army Reserve ... ) and address.  You may also include rank if known, but it is not required.  Please send the information to my email address at  charbonneau.gill@gmail.com    You can also go to the Bristol American Legion website at  www.alctpost2.org  --->  Operation "THANK  YOU"   OR        www.veteranscouncilbrct.org   --->  Operation "THANK  YOU"   to honor your Veteran today.  This FREE  commendation package will arrive within three to four weeks.

Let's thank our U.S. Veterans now while we can. 

Sincerely,

Gill Charbonneau

U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Volunteer Ambassador
Bristol,  CT

PS:  This message was sent to many local Newspapers.  Only  The Bristol Observer  chose to print it (on May 29th, 2009). 

              THANK YOU   Mr. Mike Chaiken,  Editor at Bristol Observer.

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As of February 11, 2010  "20,742"  Veterans' names were submitted to Washington  D.C.

In  May  2009,      50 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Jun  2009,     821 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  July  2009,     150 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Aug  2009,  1,171 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Sep  2009,  4,646 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Oct  2009,  3,674 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Oct  2009,  3,026 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Nov  2009,  3,859 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Nov  2009,  2,549 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Dec  2009,     109 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Jan  2010,       45 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.
In  Feb  2010,       84 Veterans' names were submitted for commendation.



These Veterans were from Bristol, Avon, Bantam, Burlington, Canton, Cheshire, Farmington,
Manchester, Morris, New Britain, Northfield, Oakville, Plainville, Plymouth, Terryville, Torrington,
Unionville, Wallingford, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott  ... also numerous Veterans from out of State.

On February 11, 2010 the US Army discontinued the program.

                  To  HOMEPAGE