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 H. Vesce

United States army 1942-1944

world war ii

private first class

purple heart

PFC Joseph H. Vesce was born on August 9, 1922, to Enrico and Elvira (Cimino) Vesce. He graduated from Enfield High School, class of 1941, with the nickname "The Commissioner". He joined the Army in November, 1942, at 20 years old. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Charest, on October 28, 1943, at St. Mary's Chapel in San Antonio, Texas. He and Jeannette were married for just two weeks when he was deployed as part of the 351st Infantry, 88th Division. He was killed in action during the Monte Cassino conflict in Italy, on May 12, 1944, at 22 years old. Jeannette never remarried. She passed away on December 21, 2020, at the age of 97 years young. May God bless them both.