Rell awards first Connecticut medals to war veterans
DANBURY, Conn. --Twenty military veterans who fought in wars dating back to World War II were honored Thursday with the first Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell, state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz and Maj. Gen. Thaddeus Martin of the Connecticut National Guard led the ceremony at the Danbury War Memorial.
"Veterans represent the best of America and we can never fully repay them for their dedication to duty and personal courage," Rell said. "This new award is a simple but important gesture of admiration from a state that truly honors their service."
The governor also called on state residents to remember the real meaning of Memorial Day this holiday weekend and to honor the nation's fallen heroes.
Rell also paid tribute to more than 190 residents of the Danbury area who gave their lives for their country since World War I by laying a wreath at the foot of the war memorial.
State lawmakers established the service medal program in 2005 to honor Connecticut residents who served for at least 90 days on active duty in a war and were honorably discharged.
The first recipients of the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals were:
-- World War II: Charles P. Gallagher, East Haven; Henry Komornik, Shelton; Irwin Lustig, West Hartford; Samuel Paulone, Waterbury; Burke Ross, Shelton; Jack Schwing, Shelton; Joseph F. Wargo, Trumbull.
-- Korean War: John Giusti, Watertown; Evans E. Kerrigan, Darien; Harry Martucci, Shelton; John Niewinski, New Britain; John Chiarella Sr., Waterbury.
-- Vietnam War: Edward Norman, Southington; Jack Dougherty, Branford; William P. Kenney, Canterbury; Al Meadows, Shelton.
-- Persian Gulf wars: John Carragher, Southington; Kim Cyr, Bristol; Scott Norton, Colebrook; Buyile Rani, Fairfield.
Other eligible veterans may request the service medals by submitting an application form to the state Department of Veterans Affairs. A DD Form 214 or other documentation will be needed to prove eligibility.
Application forms and additional information are available from the department's Web site at http://www.ct.gov/ctva, or by calling, after May 30, (866) 928-8387, Extension 5915.
