Posted on June 20, 2018
WINDSOR – State Senator John Kissel and State Representatives Tami Zawistowski, Brandon McGee, Scott Storms and Bobby Gibson hosted a Wartime Service Medal Ceremony with Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commission Thomas Saadi that honored nearly 200 Windsor veterans.
The ceremony was held at the Windsor High School on Saturday the 16th, with over 500 family and friends in attendance to support the veterans. The ceremony was made possible with the help of local volunteers; the Windsor JROTC Presented the Colors, Noah Swanson from Boy Scout Troop 203 led the Pledge of Allegiance, the Windsor Chorus Ensemble sang the National Anthem and retired Air Force Major Carlton Stidsen led the invocation.
The legislators thanked the veterans for their service, bravery and sacrifice. In his remarks Commissioner Saadi emphasized the importance of recognizing veterans for their service especially those who served in Vietnam.
The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Services Medal was established in 2005 by the state legislature to honor all Connecticut veterans with qualified wartime service. Before this, the state had not issued such a medal since World War I. In subsequent years, the state has authorized awards to be made posthumously on or after November 12, 1918. In order to receive the medal, a veteran must qualify according to three conditions. Veterans must have served during a qualified wartime for longer than 90 days, unless the engagement was less than that, he or she must have received an honorable discharge, and lastly, must currently reside in the state of Connecticut. For more information visit portal.ct.gov/dva.
