Major Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant General for the Connecticut National Guard, tosses a shovel full of dirt during a ceremonial ground breaking at the future site of the Putnam Readiness Center Oct. 28, 2022. In a press release, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont explained the creation of the new Putnam Readiness Center is part of the state’s broader goal to maintain National Guard facilities in each of Connecticut’s eight counties so troops can be called upon quickly in the event of an emergency, such as a severe weather events and natural disasters.