David Alexander is a Democratic state Representative for the 58th Assembly District, a former Marine officer and a member of the legislature’s Veterans Affairs Committee
Lost in the governor’s budget is a cut of $469,533 that eliminates funding of a stipend to veterans who participate in graveside ceremonial firing squads.
As a veteran who has attended too many military funerals to count and knowing what these honors mean to the families of the departed, I find the cut despicable.
It may be more than that.
This potential cut may ultimately violate state law. Section 27-76 of the Connecticut General Statutes states that the Connecticut National Guard is responsible for providing an honor guard firing squad for a Connecticut veteran’s burial. If the National Guard is predisposed then the Connecticut Adjutant General shall order the payment for a firing squad by “an honor guard detail from a bona fide Connecticut state veterans’ organization.” These “bona fide veterans’ organizations” consist of Post members within Connecticut’s American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations who are officially trained to conduct these ceremonies.
See the complete story at CT News Junkie.
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