Gilles C

These pictures were taken on February 1st, 2012
"Certificates of Appreciation" being awarded

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On July 22, 2011
"99 Restaurant" was awarded Certificates of Appreciation
for outstanding support of our TROOPS and Volunteer Workers.

(L) Gill Charbonneau, Army Volunteer Ambassador
Matt Keal, General Managing Partner (99 Restaurant)
Sean May, Manager (99 Restaurant)
Damean McAllister, Manager (99 Restaurant)
Ruth Allario, Supervisor (99 Restaurant) absent
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr., P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

Henry Raymond presenting a Papal Certificate
to Biolet and Gerard Quintin on their 60th wedding anniversary

Military honors for deceased Staff Sergeant Stinnard Harrigan
who flew with the 13th Army/Air Force 11th group
and he served from May 9, 1942 until Sept 7, 1945.
The ceremony took place on the Bristol Memorial Boulevard, June 5, 2011

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Chaplain Leonard Webster

Bristol American Legion Honor Guard

Van Milton Cassidy, 95, of Bristol passed away on Feb, 7, 2011.
He served his country in the Army during WWII.
He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Hearth plus many other medals for his service.
Burial followed military honors in St Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.

Honor Guard

(1)

(2)
(1) L- 1st SGT Henry J Raymond Jr., Ronald Bourgoin , Charles Bouffard
(2) L- Earl Dube, Edward Pelkey, Wilfred Lavoie

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FEDERATION DES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS FRANCAIS
Diplome d'Honneur de la Medaille du Cinquantenaire
November 11, 2010

John Lasnier awarded recognition by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond

Francis Mullins awarded recognition by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond

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Burial with military honors.
St Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.
Oct. 29, 2010

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Dear Henry,

I just want to thank you once again for all you did to ensure my Father received military honors at the service last Saturday. Bob and his men were very kind and did a wonderful job. Louie said that he knew my Dad and Bob said that he knew of him so that made their participation even more special. Weather-wise, it was a spectacular day up at the pinnacle. The service was touching and meaningful to everyone in attendance. I know you put a lot of planning and effort into make this happen and on behalf of my family, I want you to know your commitment and follow through is genuinely appreciated.

I hope your time in Massachusetts went as smoothly.

Warmest regards,

Lois

Lois Lanning, Ph.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

(Mrs. Benay T. Woodford, Admin. Asst).

Pomperaug Regional School District 15

Serving the towns of Middlebury and Southbury, CT

P.O. Box 395

Middlebury, CT 06762-0395

August 14th, 2010

A ceremony was conducted at the St-Joseph Cemetery
For CHARLES E. BERGERON
Cap. US Army, Air Corps, WWII
June 19, 1918 - December 31, 1996

(L) Mary Suchopar, Suzanne Bergeron, daughters.

(L) Bristol American Legion Honor Guard
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Nelligan giving folded flag to family members.

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Flag Day Ceremony 2010 at the Elk's.
Three medals and a ribbon were awarded to Sgt. Bill McGinn for his service during the Korean Conflict.
The awards were pinned on by Pat Nelligan during Flag Day Ceremony June 13, 2010.

(L) 1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr., Bristol Mayor Arthur Ward, SGT Bill McGinn
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Nelligan Command Chief Warrant Officer,
Franklin Pratt, Louis Castonguay Commander Bristol F.A.W.V.

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Breakfast Event
On Thursday, March 4, 2010, the Northern & Eastern Connecticut 2010 Heroes were honored at the Heroes breakfast event held at The Farmington Marriott in Farmington. Congratulations to these remarkable community heroes.

Emcee: Yvonne Nava, Morning Co-Anchor, NBC Connecticut

Sponsors
Statewide Sponsors:
Webster Bank
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Presenting Sponsors:
Connecticut Light & Power Company
Yankee Gas
Sponsors:
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
BlumShapiro
Pratt & Whitney
Travelers

One of Our 2010 Heroes of Northern & Eastern Connecticut

Henry is being honored for his outstanding service to veterans and military service personnel and their families.
He brings veterans to medical appointments, helps families of deceased military personnel apply for entitled benefits, and organizes tributes that recognize service members’ contributions.
The Bristol American Legion Honor Guard, which Henry founded, has provided military honors at more than 1100 funerals.
Partnering with the U.S. Army, Henry has been instrumental in nominating and presenting more than 18,000 Freedom Team Salute Awards.

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FLAG POLE DEDICATION
November 14, 2009

QUAIL HOLLOW VILLAGE
144 North Main St.
Terryville, CT

Bottom row (L) : Charles Bouffard and Tim Bobroske prepare for ceremony
(L) Ron Bourgoin, Wilford Lavoie, Tim Bobroske, Ed Pelkey, Charles Bouffard, Louis Castonguay
Bristol American Legion Post 2, Honor Guard
Tim Bobroske, Charles Bouffard, Beverly and Gerhardt Bobroske

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Saluting Bristol Post Office Veterans
11/09/2009

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(L) Alice K Strasser, Postmaster Bristol, Bob Such, Bristol Post Office Veterans

Bristol American Legion Post 2, Firing Squad Members

(L) 1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr. P.N.C.F.A.W.V., Ron Bourgoin, Wilford Lavoie,
Louis Castonguay, Commander Bristol F.A.W.V.

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Left :   Gill Charbonneau, Volunteer Ambassador, US Army
        Robert Montgomery, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
      Lorette Caouette and Lucien Caouette, U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran,
           1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr. P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

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A Certificate of Appreciation being awarded to "Gill Charbonneau"
on 10/19/2009

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-A- (L) Gill Charbonneau, Volunteer Ambassador, US Army
Louis Castonguay, Commander Bristol F.A.W.V.
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

-B- (L) Wilfred Doucette, F.A.W.V.
Valmont Berube, F.A.W.V.
Andre Lessard, Past Commander F.A.W.V.

-C- (L) 1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, P.N.C.F.A.W.V.
Louis Castonguay, Commander Bristol F.A.W.V.
Wilfred Lavoie, Advocate F.A.W.V.
Roy Taggett, Adjutant F.A.W.V.

-D- (L) Charles Bouffard, F.A.W.V.
Reggie Michaud, F.A.W.V.
Reginald Martin, F.A.W.V.
Jerry Chamberland, F.A.W.V.

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A Certificate of Appreciation being awarded to "Bristol 99 Restaurant"
on 9/03/2009

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(A)   left: Gill Charbonneau Volunteer Ambassador, US ARMY.
Chuck Smidt, Assistant Manager 99 Restaurant
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

(B)   left: Gill Charbonneau Volunteer Ambassador, US ARMY.
Jim Lachance, Manager 99 Restaurant
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

(B)   left: Gill Charbonneau Volunteer Ambassador, US ARMY.
Kevin Rowe, Assistant Manager 99 Restaurant
1st SGT Henry J. Raymond Jr, P.N.C.F.A.W.V.

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

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(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

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(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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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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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.

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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

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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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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. 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.

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).

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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.


		James Bousquet, Commander of Bristol Korean War Veterans Association, is addressing the members during the meeting.			A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Peggy Sokol for promoting Veterans' and Community's activities.

		A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Darlene Coffey for promoting Veterans' and Community's activities. Because Mrs Coffey is recuperating from surgery, Peggy Sokol is accepting the certificate on her behalf.			A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Betty Comeau for being a contributor and a devoted secretary preparing the correspondence for the Korean War Veterans Association, also being an outstanding volunteer in the preparation of numerous meals at Post 2.

		A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by Gill Charbonneau to 1st Sgt Henry Raymond Jr. for being the outstanding Team Leader of the Bristol Military Honor Guard and for his unlimited contribution for the wellbeing of all Veterans and/or Organizations.			A certificate of appreciation issued by the Pope (Rome Italy) is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Georgette and Louis Castonguay having been married for over 55 years.

		A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Bob Barnett for being an outstanding contributor to the Korean War Veterans Association, for being a volunteer in the preparation of numerous meals at Post 2, for conducting countless Fund Raisings to benefit the Community, Veterans and various Organizations, to visit Kids in city schools and veterans in convalescent homes.			A certificate of appreciation is being awarded by 1st Sgt Henry Raymond to Edward Pelkey for being an outstanding contributor to the Korean War Veterans Association and various veteran organizations. For being a steady volunteer in the preparation of numerous meals at Post 2 and taking pictures of guests and/or volunteer veterans for the benefit of The Post 2 Library and various veteran organizations.

		A group picture of some certificate recipients			Bob Montgomery, Bristol Press Editor, getting ready to take pictures that will be inserted into the Bristol Press paper tomorrow.