Overview

History
The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was established to increase the awareness of the lifetime contributions of Veterans after completion of honorable military service. The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is not a military hall of fame; instead it seeks to recognize Veterans for their countless contributions to society after their service.

Those selected for induction are Veterans who honorably served their county through military service and who continue to serve and inspire their communities and the state. Each year the committee selects inductees from applications received from across the state and nation.

These Veterans have been leaders in a variety of areas such as arts, education, public service, volunteer activities, and community and business leadership. Most importantly, they have all made a significant impact on the lives of others and in those in their communities.

To be eligible for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, the nominee must have served their country honorably in a branch of military service with the focus on the nominee’s continued service to their communities, fellow Veterans, the state and the nation after discharge.

The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is administered and sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and the Connecticut Military Department on behalf of the Office of the Governor. The first class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was inducted in November 2005. To date, One Hundred and Thirteen Veterans are honored in the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame

The Ceremony
The induction Ceremony will honor each new class of inductees to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place annually at the State Capitol around Veterans Day. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard will preside at the induction of Veterans into the Hall of Fame. Each inductee will be presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate confirming the induction. Their names will later be added to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Plaque located in the State Legislative Office Building.

The Selection Process
The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame inducts Connecticut Veterans each year who have honorably served their country through military service and continue to serve and inspire with their accomplishments throughout their lifetime. An Executive Committee is appointed to select eligible Veterans who have ties to Connecticut. The Executive Committee is chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs and comprised of the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard; two appointees selected by the Governor, one of whom will be a member of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame; the two co-chairs and the two ranking members of the General Assembly’s Veterans Affairs Committee. Applications for induction are solicited from all Connecticut citizens and per the Nomination Guidelines.

The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame seeks to recognize those Connecticut residents, or former state residents, who have worn the uniform of this Nation’s Armed Forces, performed their military duties, and then continued to contribute to community, state and nation in an exemplary manner. These outstanding contributions may, for example, be in the areas of professional, civic, Veteran’s advocacy, political or contributions over the life of the nominee.

Please note: the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is not intended to be a military hall of fame.