Governor Rell to Establish Official

State Veterans’ Memorial

Governor Says Official State Memorial for Veterans is Long Overdue

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is leading an effort to build an official state memorial to honor and pay tribute to all Connecticut veterans who have served our state and nation in times of peace and conflict.

            “There are many lovely memorials on town greens and in town halls, in our state Capitol and elsewhere around Connecticut – yet there is no statewide veterans’ memorial,” Governor Rell said. “Frankly, this is something that should have been established a very long time ago. Local veterans’ groups have established such well-known sites as the Iwo Jima memorial in New Britain. The time has come for the state of Connecticut to establish a striking statewide memorial of its own.

            “Despite all the tremendous services and benefits Connecticut provides our veterans, we are missing a dignified, central place for citizens to come honor those who have served,” the Governor said. “Beginning today, we are going to change, for our veterans – living and deceased – and for their families. They deserve nothing less and I think the citizens of Connecticut agree.”

            Governor Rell announced she was appointing a committee to advise her on development of the memorial and said she has provided $100,000 in seed money through capital funding for design and construction of the monument.

            “Veterans, their families and residents across the state deserve a place of honor, reflection and tribute for the 300,000 living veterans in Connecticut as well as those who have passed,” the Governor said. “We owe veterans a profound debt of gratitude each and every day that we enjoy the freedoms of this great nation. I feel strongly that an official statewide memorial is just another way to show our deep appreciation for their service and sacrifices.”

            The advisory group will be headed by Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz and represents all branches of the military. It will advise the Governor on location, design, fundraising and other issues related to establishing a statewide memorial. The members were selected by the Governor because of their reputation in the veterans’ community as well as their roles in establishing other veteran’s memorials in Connecticut and in Washington, D.C.

            Members of the panel are:

• Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz           Chair
• John Droney, West Hartford                                         Vice-Chair
• Robert Janicki, East Haven                                           Secretary
• James Tierney, West Hartford                           Treasurer
• Adjutant General Thaddeus Martin, Suffield
• Paul Bucha, Ridgefield
• Cornelius Greenway, Middletown
• Brandon Hickey, West Hartford
• Major Lesbia Nieves, Manchester
• James Shelmerdine, East Hartford

      Connecticut residents who wish to contribute to the memorial fund can send donations to:

            Rockville Bank

            Attention: Connecticut State Veterans Memorial Inc.

            PO Box 660

            Rockville, Connecticut 06066

Questions may be directed to Adam Jeamel, Director of Public Affairs for Governor Rell, at (860) 524-7351.