Wethersfield Veterans Commission
Purpose
In 2018 the Wethersfield Town Council established a Veterans Commission "to assist and advise the Town and its resident on veterans' issues and to coordinate and assist in the planning, organization and conduct of the Memorial Day parade and the Veterans Day Ceremony. In addition, the Commission shall advise the Town Council on matters of concern to veterans and their families and on measures the Council can undertake to better serve the needs of veterans and their families."
Membership
The Veterans Commission consists of seven members and two alternates appointed by the Town Council, and is advised by two Town staff liaisons and one Town Council liaison, listed below. The Commission members conducted a needs-assessment in 2019-20, and have established the following goals to guide its actions in the next 2-5 years:
commission Goals:
- Provide information to Wethersfield Veterans about benefits, services and opportunities for participation and support. Use multiple forms of media to target specific cohorts and needs, including US Mail, email and social media to reach different Veteran cohorts.
- Connect Wethersfield Veterans to Town services and other resources. Increase the Town's capacity to connect Veterans and their families with Veterans services and benefits through the Website, establishment of Veterans Resource Centers at places like the Library and Senior Center, and better use of data to target referrals.
- Sponsor outreach activities to build Veteran awareness of the Veteran's Commission and available resources. Sponsor Veterans Coffees, Information Sessions and meet with Seniors Groups and other groups.
- Encourage increased Veteran participation and engagement in Town-sponsored Veterans events and other civic organizations. Increase Veteran participation in the Memorial Day Parade, Veteran's Day ceremony, and other opportunities. Leverage these events and others as additional means of providing information to Veterans and their families.
- Foster youth involvement with Veterans. Incorporate and support opportunities through the High School Leadership Club, High School commemorative and educational events, and others, to bring youth and Veterans together.
Meeting Schedule
Meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield Street. There are no meetings in July and August. The commission's agendas and meeting minutes are available online. For further information contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (860) 721-2890.
Commission Members
- Rick Newell, Chair
- Tricia Giscombe, Vice CHair
- Sandra Rhodes, Secretary
- Mark Rudewicz
- Sean Cattanach
- David Williams
- Laura Bloomquist, Alternate
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Liaisons
- Town Staff Liaisons:
- Rachael Mattioli, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation
- Daniel Rosario, Veterans Services Contact, Social & Youth Services
- Town Council Liaison:
- Ken Lesser
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veterans commission newsletter
"At Your Service", a newsletter to provide information to Wethersfield Veterans about benefits, services and opportunities for participation and support.
Fall 2021 Spring 2021
Fall 2022 Spring 2022
Fall 2023 Spring 2023
Fall 2024 Spring 2024
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Veterans Day Commemorations 2024
The Town of Wethersfield will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring all veterans on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11:00 am at Wethersfield High School, 411 Wolcott Hill Road.
The event is sponsored by Wethersfield Parks & Recreation Department, American Legion Bourne Keeney Post #23 and Disabled American Veterans.
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Contacting the Commission
Contact the Wethersfield Veterans Commission by e-mail, or use the comment form below.
Learn more about services for veterans at wethersfieldct.gov/social/veterans.
Comment Form
This form is being offered to residents who would like to offer a suggestion or comment or may have a question for the Veterans Commission. Please fill out the information below.
Please note: This form is not intended for emergency purposes and is not monitored 24/7. If you need immediate general assistance dial 211 or 911 for an emergency.