News for and about Veterans on Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day! In recognition of the day, here's some news about and for veterans:

• "On Sunday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will commemorate Veterans Day by joining veterans, military officials and others at a wreath laying ceremony at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, the Governor's Office announced.

• “Today offers us an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary work that our military veterans have done to safeguard the state and the nation,” said Governor Malloy in comments prepared for Veterans Day and released by the Governor's Office. “America’s men and women in uniform – and their families—have made immeasurable sacrifices in the course of their service, and we are deeply grateful for their bravery and courage.  As we thank our veterans for creating a safer world, we are mindful that we have Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines stationed around the globe, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We hope for their safe and speedy return.”

• “Today is a time for all of us to remember how important it is to support our veterans and our troops - both when they are in uniform and when they return home,” said Lt. Governor Wyman in prepared comments released by the Governor's Office for Veterans Day. “That is a commitment that the Governor and I take very seriously, and I ask all Connecticut residents to join us in that commitment on Veterans Day and every day.” — statement released from the Governor's Office.

• The state has created a new website to "link veterans and their families to other state and federal agencies offering services in areas such as employment and job training, health care and education," according to a statement released by Malloy's office. "With two wars winding down, we have a responsibility to make sure that state government is in a position to honor their service," Malloy said. "Creating a one-stop resource for veterans to access benefits and services is a small but important step in that effort."

• If you're a veteran interested in getting a discount on products and services today, see the attached document listing how various retail businesses are honoring veterans on Sunday. You'll probably need to show proof that you are a veteran, and not all franchises of various chain stores are necessarily participating in the discount, so calling ahead is recommended. Home Depot gives a discount, as do some Outback Steakhouse and Subway restaurants (there's an Outback in Wilton and two Subways in Darien.)

• Tax breaks are available to veterans in Connecticut. For more information on them, there's a document attached to this article.

• "Governor Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman today [Friday] [...] announced the creation of the 14-member Governor’s Veterans Cabinet, which they will co-chair.  Composed of relevant agency commissioners and other executive branch representatives, the cabinet will meet periodically to report progress and create strategies to improve delivery of services to veterans and their families.  The cabinet also will seek input from veterans and private military-support organizations." — statement released Friday the Governor's Office

• "Employers planning to claim an expanded tax credit for hiring certain veterans should act soon, according to the IRS. Many businesses may qualify to receive thousands of dollars through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, but only if the veteran begins work before the new year," according to a news release from the Internal Revenue Service.

• "Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial, Inc. is pleased to announce plans to construct a living trees memorial in Veterans' Memorial Park in Middletown,CT," the organization says on the Home page of its website. "The memorial will encompass a beautifully designed space that will include a tree planted for each of our State's heroes who gave their life serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. A personalized plaque will be displayed next to each tree." Here's more information.