Foncello, Danbury Area Lawmakers Visit The Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center

PHOTO: Brigadier General Ralph Hedenberg, Retired Colonel Matt Wilkinson, State Rep. Rachel Chaleski, State Rep. Billy Buckbee, State Rep. Martin Foncello stand in front of The Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center following their tour of the facility.

DANBURY – Dozens of men and women from the Greater Danbury area serve in the Connecticut National Guard and train at a facility near the municipal airport, The Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Reserve Center. In an effort to learn more about the work of Connecticut National Guard members, several area lawmakers took a facility tour, led by Brigadier General Ralph Hedenberg. Lawmakers participating in the tour included, State Representatives Billy Buckbee (R-New Milford), Rachel Chaleski (R-Danbury), and Martin Foncello (R-Brookfield).

Eight Army Reserve Units and two units of the Connecticut National Guard are assigned to the installation located at 90 Wooster Heights, which opened in the Spring of 2014. According to The Guard, its name was chosen to honor all military veterans in all branches throughout history.

Foncello is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of service and a former Homeland Security intelligence officer. He was called back to active duty following 9/11 while also serving as Brookfield First Selectman.

“Technology has certainly changed since I was on active duty during the Vietnam era, and even my time with DHS after 9/11. The men and women here can train for real world scenarios they might face out in the field. It’s unique that this site serves both National Guard and Army Reserve units, just one of four centers in Connecticut like it,” said Foncello.

The center was established through the federal Base Realignment and Closure program that aimed to provide more modern facilities while cutting maintenance costs for older, outdated buildings.

“We have very active JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) in our high schools in this area, including Air Force and Navy affiliates, so having this center located in Danbury is a natural fit. Students participating in the program not only learn life skills and basic STEM education, but also get to give back to their communities through service. I was interested to learn that the Connecticut National Guard also works with some of the state’s technical schools, with mechanic students and those in cyber programs. There currently isn’t a collaboration with Henry Abbott Tech, but I’d like to see if we can coordinate a similar partnership,” said Chaleski.

The Danbury facility includes a vehicle maintenance shop, weapons simulation rooms and classrooms. Computer labs are also available to train soldiers in the latest military techniques and strategies.

“It was impressive learning about the training and equipment used by our Connecticut National Guard. Without the men and women from our community committing time and effort to serve, we would be far less secure as a state and nation. While I continue my service on the legislature’s Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, it was important to hear the perspective of many veterans and active-duty members,” said Buckbee.

According to Brigadier General Ralph Hedenberg, there are better accommodations for female guard members and improved access to food services for those training at the facility.

Where the guard differentiates from the Army Reserves is that the National Guard is combat ready for federal missions, but also responds when the state needs them for weather and other emergencies. Members played an integral part in the COVID-19 response through PPE distribution and vaccine site staffing.

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