Bulletin 24 – 17 (01 Sep, 2024 Edition)
Father of
CH (COL) Brian Converse
JFHQ, Connecticut Army National Guard
Calling Hours
Date: Sunday, August 18, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place: Gilman Funeral Home
104 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260
Church Service
Date: Monday, August 19, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
Place: Most Holy Trinity Church
568 Pomfret Street, Pomfret, CT 06258
Internment
Date: Interment Immediately Following Church Service
Place: Quasset Cemetery
67 East Quasset Road, Woodstock, CT 06281
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in his memory to:
Connecticut National Guard Foundation
How to Help (ctngfi.org)
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
Who: Ms. Kimberly Hoffman, State Family Program Director
What: Retirement Celebration
When: Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at 1600 HRS
Where: Officer’s Club of CT, Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory, Hartford
Please see the attached/below flyer for RSVP instructions and QR code, NLT Friday, September 20th.
Top News Stories:
August 28, 2024 — The Connecticut National Guard recently hosted several community leaders and state agencies to highlight its role as “Connecticut’s Home Team” and its commitment to supporting both the state and the nation… MORE
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
May 24, 2024 — A Connecticut National Guard Soldier assigned to Company M, 102nd Infantry Regiment, who perished in World War I posthumously received the Purple Heart during a ceremony at the Guilford town green May 24, 2024, more than 100 years after his death… MORE
May 20, 2024 — New York and Connecticut National Guard Soldiers took the top slots in the regional Best Warrior Competition that concluded in lower Manhattan May 16… MORE
May 18, 2024 — The Connecticut National Guard hosted the “Our Community Salutes” high school enlistee recognition ceremony at the Gov. William A. O’Neill State Armory, here, May 18, 2023… MORE
May 16, 2024 — Connecticut will once again represent the New England Region in the National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition after Staff Sgt. Curtis Ruckey, a recruiter with 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion, won the Region 1 BWC non-commissioned officer category on May 16, 2024… 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!
Armed Forces Vacation Club AFVC
Military Vacations for Families from Armed Forces Vacation Club | Login (afvclub.com)
Membership is free; Become a member
Welcome to Armed Forces Vacation Club – a free membership travel club for all active, retired and veteran military members. We believe that our military members and veterans deserve the best – that’s why a membership with Armed Forces Vacation Club provides a one-stop shop for all your vacation needs with exclusive discounts on resorts, hotels and so much more.
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: https://ct.ng.mil/Portals/61/Documents/Connecticut%20Guardian/2024/CG_2024_04.pdf?ver=wr26v8qI9UHcbBwoYOl2Hg%3d%3d
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
