Bulletin 24 – 15 (01 August, 2024 Edition)
Top News Stories:
June 21, 2024 — The Connecticut National Guard funeral honors team assisted with the unveiling of a new burial marker for Pvt. Stephen Newton, a soldier assigned to the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment during a celebration of life event for the Newton family at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut June 21, 2024… MORE
June 11, 2024 — A local business, co-founded by a Connecticut National Guard soldier, has raised more than $70,000 for the family of Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier who was killed in the line of duty on May 30, 2024… MORE
June 7, 2024 — The Connecticut National Guard funeral honors team provided an honorable transfer for the repatriated remains of U.S. Army Air Corps Tech Sgt. Kenneth J. McKeeman, a radio operator who served with the 724th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, in the European Theater during World War II, at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn. May 31, 2024… MORE
June 6, 2024 — On May 15, five WWII era transport planes landed at Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Oxford, Connecticut. The aircraft, part of the D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour, consolidated at the airport then departed for Europe to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, the first step in the Allied liberation of Western Europe, and the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift… MORE
June 1, 2024 — STONES RANCH, Conn. – The Connecticut Army National Guard hosted its first-ever Infantry Day Open House at Stones Ranch Military Reservation to experience a day in the boots of an infantryman, June 1, 2024… MORE
July 31, 2024 — TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – The Tennessee National Guard held its inaugural Adjutant General Sniper Match, organized by the Tennessee Combat Marksmanship Program, from July 26 to 28 at Tullahoma’s Volunteer… MORE
July 30, 2024 — KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Ten members of the Washington Air National Guard visited their counterparts in the Malaysian Armed Forces from July 22 to 26. The purpose of the visit was to exchange ideas on… MORE
July 30, 2024 — STANLEY, Idaho – The Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group assisted with the search and rescue of a 44-year-old woman who was injured while hiking near Smokey Peak in Idaho’s Sawtooth… MORE
July 29, 2024 — SENNELAGER, Germany – As day turned to dusk, raindrops hammered cobblestone roads while several members of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), New Hampshire Army… MORE
July 29, 2024 — CAMP DODGE, Iowa – Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted annual training June 16-28, at the… MORE
July 29, 2024 — Joint Base Andrews, MD – Four exemplary Guardsmen were celebrated as Outstanding Airmen of the Year at a ceremony July 26th.Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, acting director of the Air National Guard, and… MORE
July 26, 2024 — GYPSUM, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard’s High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site hosted Charlie Duke, one of only 12 NASA astronauts to have walked on the moon, July 8.HAATS,… MORE
July 26, 2024 — BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Two F-16 Fighting Falcons piloted by U.S. Air Force Col. Eduardo Castaneda, 122nd Fighter Wing, and Capt. Sean Williams, Defense Contract Management Agency in Greenville, South… MORE
July 26, 2024 — ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing conducted Exercise Caribbean Fox at St. Croix July 16-24, focusing on mastering Agile Combat Employment… MORE
July 25, 2024 — RHEINLAND-PFALZ, Germany – No matter where you go or how long you’re there, home has a way of finding you. For two brothers serving their nation in different parts of the globe, home found them in… MORE
July 25, 2024 — SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – More than 50 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with civilians from the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology and the Illinois State Board of Elections,… MORE
July 25, 2024 — CLARKS HILL TRAINING SITE, S.C. – The sun glinted off the Savannah River as it meandered broadly along the South Carolina-Georgia border. Boats churned on the river’s otherwise placid waters while a… MORE
July 25, 2024 — CAMP SHELBY, Miss. – Close to 5,000 Florida Army National Guard Soldiers reported to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, for the eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise in July.The xCTC is a significant… MORE
July 25, 2024 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers with the 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania National Guard, trained on the proper care, maintenance and hazards of driving and operating large military… MORE
July 24, 2024 — FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Members of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment of the Indiana National Guard, completed a critical segment of their annual training this week, focusing on… MORE
July 24, 2024 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The National Guard’s top enlisted leader discussed readiness, the importance of continuous improvement and the impact the enlisted force has on defense strategy during an… MORE
July 23, 2024 — SUVA, Fiji – A glance at the packed schedule of events in July and this fall underlined the importance of a bilateral affairs officer in the Nevada National Guard.For Nevada’s longtime Army aviator,… MORE
July 23, 2024 — BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – The 104th Fighter Wing donated an F-15 Eagle to the New England Air Museum July 22 as the wing prepares for the conversion to the F35A Lightning II. Col… MORE
July 22, 2024 — FORT JOHNSON, La. – As night fell on the Joint Readiness Training Center July 20, Task Force Guardian, comprised of Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment,… MORE
July 22, 2024 — BROWNING, Mont. – U.S. service members from more than 50 units across the country are in Montana for Blackfeet Tribal Health – Operation Walking Shield, an Innovative Readiness Training medical… MORE
News Releases for VA Connecticut health care.
VA Connecticut Fisher House to celebrate anniversary with open house
VA Connecticut Fisher House will be holding an open house this week on May 3rd and May 4th to celebrate their six-year anniversary.
Trust in VA among Veteran patients in West Haven VA Medical Center rises to 94.6%, up 3.2% since 2018
Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veteran trust in West Haven VA Medical Center has risen to 94.6 —up from 91.4% in 2018 (the first year since VA began conducting this survey). Additionally, nationwide trust in VA outpatient care has increased to 91.8% — up from 85.6% in 2018.
The PACT Act and your VA benefits
The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. And starting March 5, 2024, we’re expanding VA health care to millions of Veterans—years earlier than called for by the PACT Act.
This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call us at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now.
New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
New Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans – Connecticut Senate Democrats
There are many things that the Connecticut General Assembly has done over the years to honor our military veterans, from tuition waivers at state universities to holding on to your job in state or local government if you’re deployed. Now, as of a few weeks ago, you can add one more benefit: no more property tax payments for fully disabled veterans.
On May 7, the state Senate gave final and unanimous approval to a new state law that creates a new property tax exemption for veterans who have a permanent and total disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Substitute House Bill No. 5491
Public Act No. 24-46
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE A SERVICE-CONNECTED PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY RATING.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 12-81 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is amended by adding subdivision (83) as follows (Effective October 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024):
2024 VA Disability Payment Schedule
Pics from April 25th Breakfast – Thanks to all who attended!
Friday August 30, 2024 at Stanley Golf Course New Britain, CT
Cost: $170 per person
Format: Four (4) Person Scramble
Dinner only option: $45
CT Military Department Annual Picnic- 2024
CTMD Annual Picnic Flyer – 2024 DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE
Friday, August 16th, 2024
Camp Nett at Niantic
Early Registration Cutoff: Monday, August 12th, 2024
Mark Your Calendar.
$35.00 by August 12th, 2024 or $40.00 at the door
Register & Pay Online at
Venmo: @national_guard_assoc_of_ct
See QR Code on flyer
Cookout starts at Noon
Retiree Benefit Update at 10:30 am
Checks are payable to: NGACT
Mail to: NGACT Retiree/FTS Picnic 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Army Connecticut Veterans Bulletin
Behavioral Health Resources:
Connecticut National Guard > Resources > Behavioral Health (ng.mil)
In crisis? Need help? Call 1 (800) 273-8255 and press 1
Contact a Connecticut National Guard Specialist
| Ms. Susan Tobenkin, LCSW Behavioral Health Specialist (860) 830-8991 susan.e.tobenkin.civ@army.mil |
Mr. Michael Dutko, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor (860) 946-9810 michael.t.dutko.civ@army.mil |
Mr. Peter Doria, LCSW Behavioral Health Specialist (860) 655-0296 peter.e.doria.civ@army.mil |
I am a Retiree/Veteran:
Check out these resources
America the Beautiful Passes
Armed Forces Recreation Centers/Hotels & Resorts
American Forces Travel Program
Survivor Benefits Newsletter and Link
DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter Fall2023
Download entire newsletter HERE:
DFAS Retiree Newsletter & Benefits News + Link
Still most recent edition
Download entire newsletter HERE: DFAS Retiree Newsletter December 2023 – Still most recent edition
Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members, and their families!
Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members and their families – VA News
Connecticut Guardian
The newest edition of the Connecticut Guardian is now available online at: CG_2024_01.pdf (ng.mil)
CT JEEP 500
** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.
DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYER HERE: JEEP Flyer
The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500). Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $1,000 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG. Leads enlisting into a priority vacancy received additional $500.
Army Echoes Now Available
Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf
Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:
- The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
- Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
- The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
- Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
- Managing your retired pay allotments
- Use your military benefits for a great vacation
- Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period
To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.
US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.
2024 Calendar of Events
The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
- Members covered in combat
- Covered 24/365
- Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
- All military occupations covered
- Spouse and Children coverage available
- Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
- SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
- All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment
For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.
National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The
Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER
Honor Flight Connecticut
A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network
Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.
Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):
DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App
Please submit this form to:
Honor Flight Connecticut
c/o Amy Casey
26 Copperstone Lane
Madison, CT 06443
