Commissioner Connolly Gov Malloy Lt Gov Wyman Break Ground on Veterans Cemetery Improvements

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Press Releases

08/18/2015

Commissioner Connolly, Gov. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Wyman Break Ground on Veterans Cemetery Improvements

(ROCKY HILL, CT) -Department of Veterans' Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly, Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Melody Currey, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Veterans Cemetery Grants Program George Eisenbach, and state officials gathered today to break ground on an expansion of the 24-acre State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. The improvement project is funded by a $3.4 million grant from the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

Commissioner Connolly said, "These hallowed grounds are the final resting places for more than 7,000 of Connecticut's Veterans. Each year there are more than 600 burials performed and by the end of this year, the cemetery would have been at capacity. This grant has made it possible to continue to honor our men and women of the Armed Forces and in surroundings worthy of their sacrifices and service to our country."

Governor Malloy said, "By expanding the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery and improving its aesthetics, we will be able to continue honoring our state's veterans and enhance a location that serves as a sacred location where we honor our nation's heroes."

Lt. Governor Wyman said, "Our deepest gratitude to our federal partners for their support of this project. This is truly a sacred place-the men and women buried here are heroes who made tremendous sacrifices to serve Connecticut and the nation. This improvements are part of our overall commitment to our veterans and their families-a reminder that their service, and their sacrifices, will never be forgotten."

Improvements to the cemetery include creating a 3,000 niche columbarium, upgrades to the current administration and chapel building, road construction, and drainage improvements. The grant covers 100 percent of the $3.4 million project, which is expected to extend the use of the cemetery by ten years.

Commissioner Currey said, "The Department of Administrative Services is honored and proud to be a part of the cemetery expansion project and grounds improvement process. While we cannot thank our veterans enough for their service and sacrifice, every veteran deserves a dignified and honorable burial and DAS and the State of Connecticut are here to ensure they receive the honors in death that their service in life has merited."

George Eisenbach said, "We offer congratulations to Governor Malloy, Lt. Governor Wyman, Commissioner Connolly and the many leaders who worked on this project. The Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery will soon mark 30 years of service, so these improvements mark an important milestone in our honoring those who have given so much."

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:

Emily E. Hein, Director of Communications, Department of Veterans' Affairs

Emily.Hein@ct.gov

860.616.3605 (o) | 860.977.8426 (m)

Facebook: CT Veterans' Affairs | Twitter: CTVetsAffairs | Instagram: ctvetsaffairs

John McKay, Communications

Department of Administrative Services

John.McKay@ct.gov

860.713.5197 (o)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@LGWyman