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STATE OF CONNECTICUT
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
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M. Jodi Rell
Governor |
Governor Rell to Establish
Veterans Hall of Fame
Governor M. Jodi Rell plans to create a new Veterans Day tradition in Connecticut: inducting members into a new Veterans Hall of Fame.
To establish this tradition, the Governor has formed a steering committee to develop plans for a Hall of Fame that will honor the lifetime contributions of veterans from the state.
“Every veteran is a hero,” Governor Rell said. “We honor them on Veterans Day and we recognize them for their service to our country in ways large and small throughout the year. However, my idea for a Hall of Fame is to recognize the lifetime contributions that men and women who have served in uniform go on to make as civilians.
“Each year we will induct a small group of veterans who deserve special recognition for their post-military commitment to improving the lives of fellow Americans,” the Governor said. “The contributions of these men and women are too numerous to list – from Scoutmasters, church leaders and poll workers to police officers, firefighters and even state commissioners.”
Governor Rell said her goal is to launch the program in January with a June 1 deadline for submitting nominations. She said the first induction ceremony should be scheduled for Veterans Day 2005, with the annual induction ceremony to take place on or around Veterans Day every year after that.
The Governor has directed the steering committee, comprised of representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Military Department and the Governor’s office, to present her with a plan for the creation and ongoing operation of the Hall.
The steering committee will spend the next several weeks developing criteria for eligibility, appointing a panel of individuals who will be responsible for selecting inductees, assigning an administrator for the program and scheduling its official launch.
Using Ohio’s Veterans Hall of Fame as a model, Connecticut will induct up to 10 veterans per year. Honorees for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame would be nominated throughout the year and would include men and women from Connecticut representing all branches and eras of military service. The final criteria for the Veterans Hall of Fame will be announced after January 1.
