House Republican Press Release

March 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Burns, Hamzy, Nicastro, Urge Area Veterans to Attend ‘Veterans Benefits and Information Fair 2008’

Many Veterans Not Taking Advantage of State, Federal Benefits They Have Earned

Three Bristol state legislators today urged Greater Bristol area veterans to attend the ‘Veterans Benefits and Information Fair 2008’  Saturday, April 19^th at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to learn more about the wide variety of state and federal benefits available to them.

“Many Bristol-area veterans may not be taking advantage of state and federal benefits they have earned through their service to their country,” said state Representative Ron Burns, R-77^th District. “It’s a shame that many veterans whose service entitles them to benefits they need aren’t taking advantage of them because they don’t know about them. Next month’s event is an integral part of the state’s effort to reach out and help our veterans gain access to programs and services that can be of significant value - especially as they grow older. I strongly recommend that all Bristol veterans set aside a few hours on April 19^th to go to the fair.”

 “When Governor Rell delivered her budget address earlier this year, one of her pledges was to both provide services Connecticut veterans need - and to ensure they are informed about them,” said state Representative William A. Hamzy, R-78^th District. “Almost 300,000 veterans live in Connecticut and many of them may not be aware of all the benefits they are entitled to. The Veterans Benefits and Information Fair scheduled for April 19^th is being sponsored by the state Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Connecticut residents who fought for their country receive all the services they need and deserve.”

“The U.S. Congress and the Connecticut General Assembly have enacted an array of programs and benefits over the years to thank our veterans for their service in time of war,” said state Representative Frank N. Nicastro Sr., D-79^th District, a veteran with 30 years of military service and a member of the state legislature’s Select Committee on Veterans affairs. “Many of those programs and services may have been put in place or upgraded since they were discharged. If you are a Bristol veteran, I’d like to encourage you to attend next month’s veterans fair to make sure you aren’t missing out on valuable benefits you have earned simply because you weren’t informed about them.”

The Veterans Benefits and Information Fair will take place Saturday, April 19^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building at the State Capitol complex in Hartford. The event will feature booths and information about employment, health and other veterans’ benefits and how to apply for them. For more information, visit the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs on the web at www.ct.gov/ctva