NEWS and EVENTS
NEW Posted 2/3/25
Seeking Living Veterans of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War
Posted 2/3/25
World War II
In a heartfelt effort to honor and recognize the courage and sacrifices of living World War II veterans, Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch and Major General Francis Evon of the Connecticut National Guard, has announced a commemorative ceremony. This event will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory, located at 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT. If you are a surviving WWII veteran or know someone who lives in Voluntown who is, please contact First Selectman Hanson at 860-376-5880, or thanson@voluntown.gov.
Korean and Vietnam Wars
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz is committed to honoring our veterans for their service to our nation and state. The Lt. Governor is actively working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to honor veterans for service in the Korean War and Vietnam War. The Lt. Governor would like to hold ceremonies in Voluntown to recognize Korean War and Vietnam War veterans. If you are a surviving Korean War or Vietnam War veteran or know someone who lives in Voluntown who is, please contact First Selectman Hanson to be included in the ceremony at 860-376-5880 or thanson@voluntown.gov
Thank You to all veterans for your service to our country!
NEW 1/27/25
Path To Victory assistance for farmer Veterans. More info and other info on resources for farmers: Farmer Resources – Connecticut Veteran Grown
Posted 10/13/23
Did you know some Veterans and their family members have access to VA-covered care through several special programs such as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA)?
For more information visit: VA provides care to eligible Veterans’ family members – VA News
Posted 4/19/22
Posted 2/14/22
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point
For Active Military, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans & their Families
860-859-4148 Ext. 1 Confidential & Safe or email rwelch@escrec.org
Norwich location: 24 Stotts Avenue, Norwich
Easterseals is committed to the successful reintegration of Active Military, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans, and their families into all aspects of civilian life. See the flyer for more information.
Veteran Coffee Houses
Updated 1/24/23
Updated 6/12/23: RSVP Veterans’ Coffeehouse locations.
Posted on 2/17/20
Residential Facility Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers two temporary housing options at the campus in Rocky Hill, CT, the Residential Facility for individual veterans (male and female) and Patriots’ Landing houses for Veterans and their families. In the Residential Facility they have newly renovated and refurnished semi-private rooms, a new fitness center and computer room.
Each housing option provides comprehensive supportive programs and services that allow Veterans the opportunity to apply for benefits they may be eligible to receive, work on their educational and employment endeavors and pursue permanent community based housing.
View the residential brochure HERE.
Posted on 12/10/19
Commissary, Military Service Exchange, and MWR access extended to more Veterans
New law provides eligible Veterans and Primary Family Caregivers with access to DoD and Coast Guard commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation retail services. https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/67974/commissary-military-service-exchange-mwr-access-extended-veterans-beginning-january/
According to the Department of Defense, starting Jan. 1, 2020, all service-connected Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) can use commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) retail facilities, in-person and online.
For more information regarding these privileges and access to military installations, visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/expanding-access
Who is eligible Jan. 1, 2020?
- Veterans
- Purple Heart recipients
- former prisoners of war
- Veterans with 0-90% service-connected disability ratings
(For former service members who have not yet sought disability compensation from VA, visit https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/)
- Medal of Honor recipients and Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings are already eligible under existing DOD policy.
- Caregivers
- On Jan. 1, individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregiver of an eligible veteran under the PCAFC will be eligible for these privileges.
- For information about primary family caregivers in the PCAFC, visit https://www.caregiver.va.gov/.
Required credentials.
- Veterans
- On Jan. 1, Veterans eligible solely under this act who are eligible to obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card must use this credential for in-person installation and privilege access. The card must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW or SERVICE CONNECTED). Apply here: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/index.asp.
- Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not enrolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not possess a Veteran Health Identification Card will not have access to DoD and Coast Guard installations for in-person commissary, exchange, and MWR retail privileges, but will have full access to online exchanges and American Forces Travel.
- Medal of Honor recipients and Veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings are eligible for DoD credentials under DoD policy.
- Caregivers
- Eligible caregivers will receive an eligibility letter from VA’s Office of Community Care.
- If you are a primary family caregiver under the PCAFC and lose your eligibility letter, please call 1-877-733-7927 to request a replacement. Please allow two weeks for processing.
Find out more about military resale privileges.
- Army and Air Force Exchange Service (https://www.shopmyexchange.com/vets)
- Coast Guard Exchange (https://shopCGX.com)
- Defense Commissary Agency (https://www.commissaries.com/)
- Navy Exchange (https://www.mynavyexchange.com/)
- Marine Corps Exchange (http://www.mymcx.com/)
- MILITARY STAR Card (https://www.myecp.com/)
- American Forces Travel (https://www.americanforcestravel.com)
Important Links for Veteran Information
Updated 5/3/22
Veterans Crisis Line: 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to connect. Link OnStar to the VA Crisis Center.
US Department of Veterans Affairs Website: Here you will find information about the services, programs and benefits offered to Veterans with access to managing services.
CTVeterans mobile app: Now available for both Apple and Android mobile devices and connects Veterans, current service members and their families to a directory of services that the state provides for Veterans, as well as access to the Veterans Crisis Line and information on how to support Veterans in the state.*The new mobile app can be downloaded free of charge from theiTunes Store and Google Play Store by searching the keyword “CTVeterans.” *
Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs: Information on advocacy and assistance, mental health programs, residential programs, health care programs and more.
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest news, upcoming events, and current happenings at the Rocky Hill Campus and throughout the State Veterans’ community by visiting their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter applications. Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Info Line, 1-866-9CT-VETS
Facebook – CT Veterans Affairs; Instagram – ctvetsaffairs; Twitter – @CTVetsAffairs
Connecticut Military Support Program, 1-866-251-2913
Provides 24/7 free and confidential counseling for military and their families; crisis intervention, marriage, family, stress, anxiety.
Connecticut Veterans Directed Care Program (VDC): The VDC Program is a consumer directed home and community-based services program designed to keep veterans in their communities. Veterans served through this program have the opportunity to self-direct their own care and receive services in their home from the caregiver of their choice
How to apply for a Veteran ID card: A Veteran ID Card (VIC) can be used to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card and how to apply.
Department of Labor Veterans’ Representatives/New London
Mike Ennis, LVER (Local Veterans Employment Representative): (860)439-7581, Fax (860)439-7420
Jason Sechrist, DVOP (Disabled Veterans Outreach Services): (860)439-7582, Fax (860)439-7420
Norwich- Jon Pierce, DVOP (860)859-5605, Fax (860)439-7420
Financial Assistance for Homeless Vets
Homebuying Guide for Veterans
Connecticut General Assembly- 2017 Acts Affecting Veterans & The Military
Links
