SE Connecticut News

NORWICH, CT – On July 6, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) and AmeriCorps CEO, Michael Smith, presented awards to local volunteers supporting veterans in eastern Connecticut and hosted a town hall discussion on their work to support and protect veterans’ services.

The nine awardees recognized during the ceremony have collectively served thousands of hours to the Veterans Coffeehouse series—a program hosted by AmeriCorps Seniors and Thames Valley Council Community Action Agency that connects veterans to benefits, services, and a community. Awardees included veterans, family members of active-duty members and veterans, and a service companion.

“The awardees recognized today have dutifully served our nation and are now dedicating their time to serving veterans across eastern Connecticut. Thanks to their service, the Veterans Coffeehouse series has helped hundreds of veterans in our region receive benefits and services and build a nurturing community,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “In Congress, I am committed to supporting their work to honor and protect our veterans. That’s why I helped champion the Honoring our PACT Act—legislation to expand health care benefits for veterans—and stood up against my colleagues’ radical attempts to gut funding for veterans’ benefits. I am grateful for the leadership of AmeriCorps CEO, Michael Smith, and TVCCA CEO, Deb Monahan, for joining me in delivering the support our veterans deserve.”

"Our country’s strength is built upon remarkable individuals that answer the call to serve,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “Among our veterans, a great many continue that service even after leaving the military.  We’re proud that each year we serve more than 245,000 military families, and that 15,000 veterans serve as AmeriCorps Members and AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers. Today’s group of awardees exemplify that our highest calling as citizens is service.” 

Lifetime Awardees:

• Barry Russack, Navy Veteran, volunteers at the Mystic, New London, and Groton coffeehouses
• Walter Keach, Air Force Veteran, volunteers at the Mystic and Ledyard coffeehouses
• Susan McArdle, Coast Guard Veteran, volunteers at the Mystic coffeehouse
• Noreen Arao, Air Force Veteran, volunteers at the Groton coffeehouse
• Gus Zupka, Navy Veteran, volunteers at the Norwich coffeehouse
• Garry Miller, Navy Veteran, volunteers at the Pawcatuck, Mystic, and Groton coffeehouses

Bronze Awardees:

• Carol Coyle, family member of a veteran, volunteers at the Mystic and Groton coffeehouses
• Peter Kulas, family member of an active duty member, volunteers at the New London coffeehouse

Gold Awardee:

• Rosie, Barry Russack’s service companion, who has volunteered dutifully alongside Barry at the Mystic, New London, and Groton coffeehouses.

For more photos, click here.

To read more about the PACT Act, click here.

To read more about Rep. Courtney’s work to support and protect veterans, click here.

Original source can be found here.