Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced the design competition for the first statewide memorial to honor all state veterans has opened for submissions, with the deadline for entries at 3 p.m. April 14.
The state veterans’ memorial will be located on a grassy meadow adjacent to the Col. Raymond F. Gates State Veterans Cemetery, which is across from the State Veterans Home on West Street in Rocky Hill, Rell's office said in a statement.
Groundbreaking is expected later this spring or summer with a dedication ceremony to be held by the end of the year, the statement said.
The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial design competition is open to state residents, artists, architects, landscape architects and resident/non-resident students who are enrolled in Connecticut institutions of higher learning, the statement said.
Submissions are welcome from those who can fulfill all submission requirements. All entry rules, instructions and site photos are available at www.cthonorsvets.org or by e-mailing president@cthonorsvets.org, the statement said.
“Throughout the history of our nation, more than 1.3 million Connecticut citizens have served in defense of our country’s peace and freedom,” Rell said in the statement. “The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial will be a central, dignified place to pay honor to state heroes and heroines of the past, honor the veterans of today and demonstrate the deep appreciation we hold for their service for generations to come.”
Rell also said financial support from individuals, businesses and veterans’ service organizations from across the state is needed "to make the creation of this memorial a reality."
She noted that the state "responded with overwhelming financial support when we brought 700 troops home for the holidays in December," and is "confident the citizens of this great state will respond with the same generous support, particularly when it comes to honoring our veterans who never made it home after serving our country.”
Rell announced the effort to build a statewide memorial in November 2008 and provided $100,000 in seed money through capital funding to help support its initial design and construction, the statement said. She appointed an advisory committee; Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Dr. Linda Schwartz is chairwoman.
To contribute, checks and money orders should be made payable to Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc. and mailed to: Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc., c/o Rockville Bank, P.O. Box 660, Rockville, 06066. Donations can be made online at www.cthonorsvets.org.
The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the statement said. for more information, see here.
Editor's note: This information posted here as a public service, and with respect for all veterans, was provided wholly in a release by the governor's office. It is only lightly edited here.
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