Carpino Looks to Secure Additional Cemetery Space for CT Veterans
Carpino Looks to Secure Additional Cemetery Space for CT Veterans
HARTFORD- This year, State Representative Christie Carpino (32) has introduced a bill to address the state’s diminished lack of burial space for Connecticut’s deceased veterans.
“Connecticut has a moral obligation to provide a proper final resting place for our Veterans. We owe them for our freedom and our way of life. And we also owe them for protecting our liberties and keeping us safe,” said Rep. Christie Carpino. “As a state we need to prioritize the acquisition of appropriate space to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide our heroes with a privilege they have earned. These men and women risked everything to keep us safe, Connecticut must step up and do the right thing -now.”
The legislation, House Bill 5117 An Act Concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs and a Connecticut Veterans Cemetery would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate or acquire additional land to expand the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery by July 1, 2026, ensuring that our state’s veterans have a permanent and honorable resting place close to home.
The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs submitted testimony that explained the ‘failure to obtain buildable property suitable for use as a cemetery jeopardizes our participation in the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, risks our ability to continue providing Connecticut Veterans and their dependents the final resting place they so richly deserve, and may impact our eligibility to receive future plot allowances.”
“It’s incredibly important to ensure that our military veterans, especially those who served our country so selflessly, are given a dignified final resting place. Your call as Connecticut’s legislators to take action in acquiring the necessary land is a powerful and meaningful request. Many veterans are deserving of a peaceful and respectful space where they can be honored,” said Army veteran and Cromwell resident Jay Polke (U.S. Army 1964 – 1970).
As the daughter and granddaughter of Veterans, the issue is personal to Carpino. The bill received bipartisan support during a public hearing in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on February 13th .