Carpino Co-hosts Veterans Medal Ceremony

CROMWELL, CT — Over fifty Connecticut veterans from Cromwell who served in the armed forces during wars ranging from World War II to the Vietnam War and the post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq were presented the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal today at an event hosted by Senator Paul Doyle and Representative Christie Carpino. The event was organized to recognize Connecticut’s veterans for their service in the armed forces. Commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Sean Connolly was in attendance to present medals.

“It is an honor to stand in a room with so many of Connecticut’s heroes and thank them for their service,” said Senator Doyle. “These medals show our gratitude to the veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much in defense of this country. The men and women receiving these medals heard the call of duty and stood up for their country. We can never fully compensate the debt we have to them, but with these medals we can show them some well deserved respect.”

“This is a small token of appreciation to our veterans who may not have received the proper homecoming they deserved,” stated Representative Carpino. “Each medal recipient stepped forward to defend our freedoms and I’m honored to have the opportunity to thank them on behalf of the state of Connecticut.”

Prior to the General Assembly establishing this award in 2005, the State of Connecticut had not honored its veterans with a wartime service medal since World War I. Anyone who served in the armed forces during a time of war and was a Connecticut resident at the time, or currently lives in Connecticut, is eligible for the award. Many veterans from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq received the medal as part of their discharge packets, but many veterans who served prior to 2005 are unaware of the medal’s existence. Any veteran who believes they may be eligible for the medal may contact Rep. Carpino at 860-240-8700.