House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

June 3, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Shoreline Veterans’ Awards to Highlight Flag Day, June 14

 

350 Veterans from Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook to be Honored

 

A state veterans’ medal will be presented to about 350 Shoreline veterans, at a ceremony featuring a band, chorus and color guard on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14 at Old Saybrook High School.

 

The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., and the presentation program is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. in the high school auditorium.

 

The ceremony, organized by state Rep. Marilyn Giuliano (R-23rd District, Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook) will include the Old Saybrook High School Jazz Ensemble, the Old Saybrook High School Select Chorus and a military color guard. Regional Eagle Scouts also will seat people at the award ceremony.

 

State Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Spoonster Schwartz will preside over the award presentation, and it will include numerous other state and local officials.

 

The ceremony is one of several being organized throughout the state during the year to present the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal.

 

Rep. Giuliano invited veterans from Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook to apply for and receive the medal at this ceremony.

 

“This has turned out to be a larger event than anticipated,” said Rep. Giuliano. “The response has just been overwhelming. Veterans and their families are eager to come together on Flag Day for this event.”

 

“It is important that the Shoreline region and a state recognize the sacrifice, patriotism and valor of so many of our citizens who have served our country during wartime,” she added. “Flag Day is an especially appropriate day to conduct this veterans’ award ceremony.”

The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal

Connecticut has a history of honoring returning veterans from war, dating back to the Civil War when the state struck and issued its first veterans medal. 

 

State veterans medals also were issued to Connecticut citizens who returned from service in the Spanish-American War and World War I. After World War I, the tradition of presenting medals to returning state veterans fell off until it was restored in 2005 through this latest medal.

 

The new Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal is patterned closely after the medal issued following World War I, including its distinctive three colors – red, white and blue. 

 

The medal contains the official seals of each branch of the U. S. Armed Services and the words “for service.”

 

 

State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano serves the 23rd Assembly District of Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the state House of Representatives.