The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
Joseph J. Annis, Sr.
United States army 1946-1948
world war II
technician 5th grade
army occupation medal
WOrld War II victory medal
Mr. Joseph J. Annis, Sr. enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from Enfield High School in 1946. Upon completion of basic training, Pvt. Annis was sent to the U.S. Army Theater Signal School located in Ansbach, Germany. He completed the eight week “radio operator course-776” which included radio procedure, International Morse Code, installation and operation of field radio and frequency meter sets, with the ability to send and receive 13 words per minute.
Pvt. Annis was assigned to the Headquarters Troop 14th Constabulary Regiment, and was stationed in Fritzlov, Germany, where he operated both sound and voice radios, handling official correspondence between the Regiment and other sections of the unit. He attained the rank of T/5, (technical sergeant-5th class), with the ability to send and receive 18 words per minute. T/5 Annis was awarded the “Army of Occupation Medal” and the “World War II Victory Medal” and was Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1948.
Upon his discharge, Joe attended and graduated from the Waltham School of Watchmaking in Waltham, MA. As an accomplished accordion player, he continued his musical career playing the accordion and leading several bands. Owning the Annis Accordion Studio, Joe gave accordion lessons in the Hartford area for many years. In the late 40’s his band, the Joe Annis Orchestra performed at St. Joseph’s Church Polish picnics in West Suffield; in the 50’s and 60’s, his band performed as the “house band” on Sunday nights at the Polish Home in Thompsonville, CT. Joe also played for many weddings and parties in the local area. He repaired clocks and watches through the 1980’s and painted houses during the housing boom of the 1950’s and 60’s. Joe was also a founding member of the Enfield Elks Lodge #2222, is an Honorary Member of the Hazardville Fire Department and was also a member of the Somers Knights of Columbus, council 4303. He eventually retired from the CT DMV. He passed away in 1992.
