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For Immediate Release

Patriot National Bank Makes a deposit for our Troops
Trumbull and Bedford branches collect supplies for the 101st Airborne Combat Brigade in Afghanistan in honor of Memorial Day

STAMFORD, CT (June 9, 2010). Thanks to some generous hometown heroes, twenty boxes of supplies earmarked for the 3,000 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Combat Brigade are on their way to Afghanistan. Patriot National Bank VP/Branch Managers Rich Mishley (Trumbull) and Clare Spall (Bedford) enlisted the help of neighboring business as well as their Patriot customers to fulfill the wish list of those men and women deployed overseas for Operation Enduring Freedom. The Memorial Day-inspired drive was held from May 24th through May 28th.

Trumbull Branch Manager Richard Mishley and Patriot customer Carol Weinshel ready a donation to the 101st Airborne Combat Brigade in Afghanistan.

It was obvious that Patriotism is everywhere, from the businesses and individuals who made donations, to the establishments that served as drop-off points, to the children and teachers who collected supplies and made thank you cards. In Trumbull, we are grateful to the Trumbull Marriott, Opticare, the Dental Group of CT., Poricelli's Food Mart, MacKenzie Pharmacy, Trumbull Town Hall as well as the students and faculty of Daniels Farm and Frenchtown Elementary Schools. In Bedford, Patriot partnered with Hunting Ridge Mall neighbors Siemers Wine & Spirits, Village Cleaners and Learning Express. The boxes, filled to the brim with items ranging from Frisbees to cotton balls will be sent by Patriot customers Carol and Michael Weinshal who along with Carol's sister, Dr. Susan Spivack who since 2005 have "adopted" over 10,000 troops.

The Weinshels and Dr. Spivack started their efforts as a way to boost morale for the 2,850 soldiers of the 159th Aviation Brigade. They purchased, packaged and shipped a Christmas gift for each soldier. They went on to send monthly gifts by theme—Valentine's Day, spring, Patriotism. When the Brigade returned home and the Weinshels and Dr. Spivack learned how much these packages meant to the soldiers, an on-going project was born! According to Carol, "People don't often have a way to thank the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. Sending these packages is like sending a strong message about how much we care and appreciate their actions." To learn more about sending packages to the troops or making a donation, contact Carol Weinshel at mica3@sbcglobal.net

It is Patriot National Bank's mission to offer a significant community-based alternative to larger banks and to provide personalized service to consumers and local businesses. Nationally chartered in 1994, Patriot National Bank currently has nineteen full-service branches serving Southern Connecticut, Westchester County, New York and New York City.

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Patriot National Bank launches two tributes to our Vets in honor of Memorial Day

STAMFORD, CT. (June 3, 2010). Fairfield teen Kevin Wharton truly captured the spirit of Memorial Day when he noted, "People like singers and athletes can be big influences and high in popularity but they come nowhere near you when it comes to heroics, courage and excellence." Kevin, and other members of Wakeman's Boys and Girls Torch Club, expressed these sentiments to Connecticut Disabled American Veteran's of War on cards presented to the vets at one of two special Memorial Day tributes organized by Patriot National Bank.

Teen members of Fairfield's Wakeman's Club Torch Group salute vets from Disabled American Veterans, CT Division

On Tuesday, May 25th at Patriot's Fairfield Center branch, these teens honored four representatives of the DAV, Past State Commander Al Meadows of Huntington, CT., Steve Frank of Naugatuck, CT., Tim Kelly of Fairfield and Alvin Overton, Commander of the Fairfield DAV and a Fairfield resident. The men, all Vietnam vets talked about their experiences as soldiers as well as what Memorial Day means to them. Also in attendance was First Selectman Ken Flatto who emphasized that, "Memorial Day is a time to remember those who fought for our country."

Torch Club Supervisor Rueben Goodwin who coordinated the teen's efforts in making and presenting the cards shared that, "The event helped give a deeper meaning to Memorial Day for every child who participated. The children that attended were able to hear stories of battles, daily life behind enemy lines, and how war affected them forever. I think the kids gained a greater level of respect and support for people that fight to keep our country free."

The cards will be delivered this weekend to our wounded and injured troops in Walter Reed and Bethesda Military Hospitals through Operation Gift Cards, an effort launched by Mr. Meadows in 2005 to personally, when possible, thank our wounded troops for their service to our country and inform them of free programs designed to help them and their families. For more information about Operation Gift Card, go to www.ctveterans.org.

Winner of Patriot's What Memorial Day Means to Me contest from McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield stand proud with DAV member Al Meadows and Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto.

On Tuesday, June 1st at Patriot's Black Rock Turnpike branch, Mr. Meadows presented certificates of achievement to three McKinley Elementary School students who expressed their thanks to our soldiers through their artwork. The second and third graders, students of art teacher Ms. Kate Reddy were asked by VP/Branch Manager Mike Dushay to create posters depicting "What Memorial Day Means to me." The winners, Lexie Anne Madden (First Place), Ari Chrysadakis (Second Place) and Michael Eaton (Third Place) were congratulated by Mr. Meadows, Mr. Dushay and First Selectman Ken Flatto and presented with Savings Bonds on behalf of Patriot National Bank. Mr. Meadows showed the students his helmet, Purple Heart Medal and dog tags from his tour of service and told the students and their families how much their thoughtfulness has meant to all the soldiers who have served.

Patriot has partnered with local schoolchildren to honor our vets each Memorial Day and Veteran's Day since 2006. The bank has proudly supported the DAV in their efforts to raise funds to provide transportation enabling returning soldiers to receive necessary medical care. It has always been Patriot's mission to offer a significant community-based alternative to larger banks and to provide personalized service to consumers and local businesses. Nationally chartered in 1994, Patriot National Bank currently has nineteen full-service branches serving Southern Connecticut, Westchester County, New York and New York City.

Fairfield Center photo: Front Row, from L-R: Katie DeCarlo, Megan Hand, Katie Kovaleski, Sammie Bucher, Greg Terry, Matthew White and John Carey. Middle Row, from L-R: Tim Kelly, Alvin Overton, Steve Frank and Al Meadows. Back Row, from L-R: VP/Branch Manager Michael Tran, AVP/Assistant Branch Manager Emily Anderson, Turner Donelan, Megan Thompson, Olivia Anderson, Town Selectman Ken Flatto, Alexandra Morrison, Erin Hines, Riley Thompson and Megan Hines.

Black Rock photo: First Row, from L-R: Lexie-Anne Madden, Ari Chrysadakis and Michael Eaton.
Back Row, from L-R: First Selectman Ken Flatto and Past State Commander CT. DAV, Al Meadows.

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Patriot National Bank and My Three Sons raise funds for ALS in honor of Norwalk resident, Brian Fitzgerald

STAMFORD, CT. (March 15, 2010). On Thursday evening, March 11th, Patriot National Bank held a benefit at My Three Sons in Norwalk to raise funds and awareness of the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The evening was dedicated to Patriot Director and Norwalk resident, Brian A. Fitzgerald who was diagnosed in 2008. My Three Son's owner Jerry Petrini donated his Wall Street fun-space for the event, which Patriot dubbed a FUN-raiser.

Alanna Restrepo and her mom Sarah purchase a shamrock in honor of Brian Fitzgerald

For a $5 donation, participants enjoyed unlimited Laser Tag, Balladium and Soft Gym. Patriot employees sold homemade baked goods for the cause. In addition to the Fitzgerald family and Patriot employees, about 100 generous friends and supporters came out to help fight this incurable disease and honor Brian who has, as Patriot President and CEO Charlie Howell noted, "volunteered to improve his community in so many ways.

According to Brian's wife, Gaye, the family "was touched and overwhelmed by Patriot's efforts." River Street branch manager Valerie Watson who coordinated the event with Jerry Petrini noted, "It's refreshing to be part of a community bank that knows what giving back to the community means."

ALS affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. The cells die and the muscles they control become weak and paralyzed. Patriot has partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to fundraise by selling sell shamrocks in $1 and $5 denominations through March 20th at each of their 19 branches.

The MDA (www.mda.org) is the world's largest nonprofit provider of ALS services and funder of ALS research. The Association unparalleled health care services, research, advocacy and education programs provide help and hope to more than 1 million Americans affected by ALS and 42 other neuromuscular diseases.

It is Patriot National Bank's mission to offer a significant community-based alternative to larger banks and to provide personalized service to consumers and local businesses. Nationally chartered in 1994, Patriot National Bank currently has nineteen full-service located in Southern CT., Westchester County and New York City.

Brian A. Fitzgerald