Connecticut’s Veterans, Mostly From Vietnam Era, Gulf War Years; Two Classes to be Inducted in Hall of Fame in 2021

More than one-third of Connecticut veterans served during the Vietnam era, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data.  More than 60,000 state residents served during the U.S. involvement in Vietnam.  The next highest period of service is during the Gulf War, with just over 47,000 veterans in Connecticut having served in the armed forces during those years. 

During the Gulf War, 23,319 Connecticut residents served during the period 1990-2001 and 24,2915 served from September 2001 or thereafter, following the 9/11 attacks.

Overall, 6% of Connecticut residents 18 or older are veterans, with 36% serving during the Vietnam era, 14% after 9/11, 14% during the Gulf War prior to 9/11, 11% during the Korean War and 6% during World War II. 

In Connecticut overall, just over 1 in 4 veterans have at least one disability, compared to less than 1 in 8 non-veterans, according to data compiled as part of the 2019 American Community Survey and analyzed by the Connecticut Data Collaborative. Veterans are more likely to have completed high school, attended some college, or attained an associate degree, but are less like to have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher.  And median annual income for residents 18 or older is slightly higher for veterans, compared with non-veterans.

National Vietnam Veterans Day was observed this week, on March 29. In the United States, a total of 2.7 million U.S. service members served in Vietnam. The commemoration marks the day in 1973 that the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. The last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975.

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.

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, 113 Veterans are honored in the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2015, a plaque was unveiled and placed in the Legislative Office Building with the names of all Inductees of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame since 2005.

Last year’s annual ceremony, traditionally held in December, was not held due to the pandemic.  A rescheduled date/time announcement, tentatively to be in late Summer 2021, is expected soon, according to the State Department of Veterans Affairs website.  The nomination packet for the Class of 2021 is now available online.  Nominations are being accepted through September 10, and that induction ceremony is anticipated in December. 

Among those inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame are former President George H. W. Bush, former state Comptroller Nate Agostinelli, former Deputy Connecticut House Speaker Richard Belden, and former state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz.