Mae Flexer

Sen. Flexer To Host Highway Dedication Ceremony For Calvin Heath And Joe Lindley

THOMPSON – State Senator Mae Flexer plans to unveil new highway signs in a few weeks that dedicate portions of Routes 21 and 193 in northeastern Connecticut in honor of two local U.S. Army veterans, Calvin Heath and Joseph Lindley.

The official highway naming ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at Thompson Hill Common, the triangle of land bordered by Chase Road, Thompson Hill Road and Thompson Road. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 67 in Grosvenordale.

“We’re fortunate here in northeastern Connecticut to have had extraordinary neighbors like Calvin Health and Joe Lindley, two Army veterans who represent the best of America and the best of Connecticut. It’s only fitting that we honor their memories, their service and their sacrifice with portions of local state highways in their names,” Sen. Flexer said. “It has been an honor to work on this effort for several years, first with Joe Lindley and Alan Joslin to honor Calvin, and then over the last two years to honor both Calvin and Joe. Service and sacrifice for one’s country is something that must always be celebrated and honored, especially that of our Vietnam veterans. Many of us got to know of Calvin’s heroic journey because of Joe’s incredible book and his great work sharing Calvin’s story with the community. It is fitting that we are honoring both men on the same day. Calvin and Joe deserve this honor, and I’m happy to have made this recognition happen in the state legislature.”

Sen. Flexer was approached about naming a portion of state road after Heath by Alan Joslin of Putnam, who knew both Heath and Lindley.

“I’ve spoken with Senator Flexer over the years on different veterans’ issues. Mae suggested naming sections of state road after both Calvin and Joe. When she made it happen this spring, it was just so heartening. She’s done a super job,” Joslin said.

Sen. Flexer successfully submitted legislation to re-name a portion of Connecticut Route 21 from the intersection of Route 44 in Putnam to Route 193 in Thompson as the “Silver Star Recipient Calvin William Heath Memorial Highway” in memory of Heath, a Putnam native and eventually made his home in Dayville. Heath served in Vietnam as a member of the 3rd Brigade, 187th, 101st Airborne and achieved the rank of Spec4. For his service, Heath was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He died in July 2013.

The legislation also re-names a portion of Route 193 from the intersection of Connecticut Route 200 to Chase Road in Thompson as the “Joseph J. Lindley Memorial Highway.” Lindley, of Thompson, served for 11 years in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer and dedicated his life at home to publishing six books, three of which were about forgotten local heroes, including Heath. Lindley was also a youth sports coach and a member of the Thompson Historical Society, the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association, the Thompson Board of Education, the Juvenile Review Board, and the Board of Trustees for the Tourtellotte Trust. He died in October 2019.

The public is asked to RSVP to the reception here.