On Thursday, January 6, 2022, a group of local dignitaries gathered at the Henry Breault Bridge, Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT to commemorate the addition of a permanent bronze plaque for the final stretch of The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation signature fundraiser and race, Tackle the Trail™.
Celebrating this milestone were: QVCC Foundation President Joseph Adiletta, Town of Putnam Mayor Barney Seney, QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement and Tackle the Trail™ Race Director Monique Wolanin, President of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, Putnam Business Association Business Coordinator and owner of The Courthouse Bar and Grille Sheila Frost, Putnam Business Association President and owner of WINY Radio Gary Osbrey, and WINY Radio Sports Director (the 2021 race announcer) Mike Brunetti.
QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement and Tackle the Trail Race Director, Monique Wolanin stated, “Thank you all and the Town of Putnam for your continued support of Tackle the Trail™, which proceeds from the race will help hundreds of students each year pursue their educational goals.”
Make Tackle Your Destination brings even more energy to the already vibrant Town of Putnam on the third Saturday of October and coincides with The Great Pumpkin Festival and the Roseland Cottage Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Runners, fans, volunteers, business owners, and community members will enjoy a warm NE CT welcome and all that our region offers.
The Henry Breault Bridge recognizes Henry Breault, Putnam, CT, Peacetime Medal of Honor Recipient, for action at Limon Bay, Canal Zone, Panama on October 28, 1923. Citation: For heroism and devotion to duty while serving onboard the U.S. submarine 0-5 at the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the 0-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate whom he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party 31 hours later.
Tackle the Trail™ is a trail race through Northeast Connecticut for marathoners, half-marathoners, and relay teams. Runners enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive fans throughout this point-to-point race. Just 45 minutes from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, Tackle the Trail, a unique race in an amazing place! your gateway to trail racing in New England. Tackle is always the third Saturday in October and benefits students attending Quinebaug Valley Community College.