CARMEL – On October 14, 1919, the former Putnam Board of Supervisors proclaimed a commemorative celebration by honoring all World War I service members.
Eleven days later, more than 200 men and women who served overseas were honored with a parade, celebration and the award of a specially designed Putnam County Service Medal.
Now, almost 100 years later, the Putnam County Legislature has re-introduced a new Putnam County Service Medal.
Legislator Joseph Castellano told his colleagues in the Rules Committee that Putnam was New York State’s first Purple Heart County to “honor recipients of the decoration awarded to members of the military wounded or killed in combat.” He said the county “may be small in size but from our very origins in 1812, Putnam has provided military leaders of national and historical significance including General Israel Putnam, Civil War General Daniel Butterfield and five Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.”
Castellano said that while the 200 veterans had already applied for the medals, a total of 400 of the decorations will be cast.
Castellano is hopeful that the medals will be available starting in February.
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