Bulletin 24 – 18 (15 Sep, 2024 Edition)
IN MEMORY, THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF
Patricia J. Wilk Mother of Kimberly J. Hoffman
Director, Service Member and Family Support Center
IN MEMORY THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF
Patricia J. Wilk Mother of Kimberly J. Hoffman Director, Service Member and Family Support Center
Celebration of Life
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: Aqua Turf
556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville, CT, 06479
Internment
Date: Internment will be private for family.
Obituary: Patricia Wilk Obituary – New Britain, CT (dignitymemorial.com)
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the
Connecticut National Guard Foundation
How to Help (ctngfi.org)
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
MILITARY DEPARTMENT
IN MEMORY, THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF
Robert M. Avedisian Father of CPT Joyce H. Avedisian
2/169th REGT (RTI) & USPF&O, Connecticut Army National Guard
THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES
THE DEATH OF
Robert M. Avedisian
Father of
CPT Joyce H. Avedisian
14th Civil Support Team, Connecticut Army National Guard
Calling Hours
Date: Monday, August 23, 2024, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Place: St. Mary’s Catholic Church
114 Princeton St, Jefferson, MA 01522
Mass of Christian Burial
Date: Immediately Following Calling Hours
Place: St. Mary’s Catholic Church
114 Princeton St, Jefferson, MA 01522
Obituary: Robert M. Avedisian Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information (milesfuneralhome.com)
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in Robert’s memory to:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
https://stmarysjeff.com/welcome
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
DOWNLOAD PDF HERE: Hoffman Retirement Party Invitation
Please see the attached/below flyer for RSVP instructions and QR code, NLT Friday, September 20th.
Top News Stories:
September 19, 2024 — OSCODA, Mich. – A few members of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 323rd Military Police Company tested the Just in Time Multi-Mission Airmen/Warfighters virtual-reality training program during Exercise… MORE
September 19, 2024 — SYRACUSE, N.Y. – When 25-year-old New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Rebeka Eaton sets out to do something, she makes sure it gets done right.“I’m a very determined individual,” Eaton says.That… MORE
September 18, 2024 — ANNISTON, Ala. – Eighteen National Guardsmen from across the country competed in the All Guard Marksmanship Team tryouts hosted by the Alabama National Guard’s Lethality Group at Fort McClellan… MORE
September 18, 2024 — CAMP DAWSON, W.Va. – The 171st Force Support Squadron and Airmen from the 171st commander’s support staff recently completed intensive expeditionary force support training at Camp Dawson, enhancing… MORE
September 18, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The Alaska National Guard rescued four hunters Sept. 16 in two separate missions at the request of the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Rescue Coordination… MORE
September 17, 2024 — FORT BELKNAP INDIAN RESERVATION, Mont. – Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing members participated in an Innovative Readiness Training mission at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation,… MORE
September 17, 2024 — ORLEANS, France – In the summer of 1944, the 137th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division began its journey from the Mortain sector, making its way toward Le Mans and south to Orleans.The… MORE
September 17, 2024 — NAUSORI HIGHLANDS, Fiji – Over the past week, in the remote jungles of the Nausori Highlands of Fiji, National Guard Soldiers retraced the steps of history in the South Pacific during Exercise… MORE
September 17, 2024 — LATHAM, N.Y. – Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, honored a World War II Soldier 80 years to the day after he was killed in combat.Shields presented the New York State… MORE
September 16, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – To build off the success of Enduring Partners 2024, members of the Washington Air National Guard and the Royal Thai Air Force came together Sept. 10-13 for the Enduring Partners… MORE
September 13, 2024 — LAJES FIELD, Portugal – Airmen with the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, trained at Lajes Field, Terceira Island,… MORE
September 13, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Washington Air National Guard hosted the first engagement for female leaders in the Royal Thai Air Force Sept. 9-13 at Camp Murray.The engagement aimed to empower female… MORE
September 13, 2024 — XENIA, Ohio – Medically trained Airmen from the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing helped provide free health care to more than 1,000 community members Aug. 11-12 as part of the Department of… MORE
September 12, 2024 — STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing wrapped up its 2024 support for National Science Foundation research in Greenland at the end of… MORE
September 12, 2024 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Maryland Air National Guard Airmen participated in Cyber Fortress 3.0, a training exercise that tested the local, state and federal response to potential cyberattacks against… MORE
September 12, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia National Guard senior enlisted leadership traveled to Finland Aug. 19-23 to collaborate with members of the Finnish Defence Forces on a plan for joint enlisted training and… MORE
September 12, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Vehicle maintenance often happens in a shop, in the field or on the side of a road, but never in front of an audience and never for any recognition.Staff Sgts. Ian Wilding, Delta… MORE
September 12, 2024 — KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Members of the 173rd Fighter Wing were recognized with a September mobilization ceremony at Kingsley Field. Approximately 50 members from every group on base are deploying this… MORE
September 11, 2024 — PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Alaska Army National Guard participated in Operation Polar Dagger Aug. 15-25, helping Special Operations Command North rapidly deploy and operate in the… MORE
September 11, 2024 — LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky Air National Guard Airman recently earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding performance while attending the U.S. Navy’s explosive ordnance… 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
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
