ROCKY HILL, CT/LYME/OLD LYME—On June 14, the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conducted an annual training program for the Veterans Representatives of each Connecticut municipality.
The event was held at the main VA campus at Rocky Hill, Conn.
Completed training certificates were handed out by Ronald P. Welch, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.
Every Connecticut municipality is required by state law to have a Veterans Representative—usually a volunteer—who is trained annually to help community veterans understand their VA benefits and handle related issues.
Tony Vallombroso has been the Old Lyme Veterans Representative for many years. David Griswold of Old Lyme will be working with Vallambroso as an incoming Veterans Representative.
David Lahm is the Veterans Representative for Lyme, as well as serving as the Town’s First Selectman.
Richard Mason is commander of Old Lyme VFW Post 1467 and also the Veterans Representative of Killingworth.
Below is a list of dignitaries, who attended the training event:—
- Ronald P. Welch, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
- The Honorable Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State
- Edward C. Payton, Interim Deputy Director, VA Connecticut Healthcare
- Astrid Perez, Director, Veterans Benefit Administration, Hartford Regional Office
- Stuart Topliff, Town Assessor, Town of Rocky Hill, Property Tax Exemptions
- Heather Tweeddale, Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (Talent Solutions), Employment with the State of Connecticut
- Nicholas Savaria, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health Administration)
- Jessica Gagen – Military Services Coordinator, VBA Overview/Claims Trends/Automated Claims Review
- Donna Bois – Assistant Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer (AVREO)
- John S. Carragher, Advocacy and Assistance
- Chuck Leone, Residential Programs and Services
- Laura Nelson, Sgt. John Levitow Healthcare Center
- Pam Porter, Cemetery and Memorial Services
- Nicole Dykstra, Connecticut Department of Labor (American Job Centers)
- Ariana Deeley, Director, Hartford Vet Center