Middletown Army Airman Breaks Ground on Capitol Veterans Memorial

A Middletown Army airman was one of a handful of soldiers who took part in the monumental construction kickoff of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial Tuesday.

The ceremony, with a groundbreaking in Hartford’s Minuteman Park, across from the William A. O’Neill State Armory and the Legislative Office Building on Capitol Avenue and Broad Street, included Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz, Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, Connecticut Adjutant General of Connecticut National Guard, other state and federal officials, and veterans.

This is the first state memorial to honor Connecticut men and women who have served in America’s military since Revolutionary War times.

The memorial will honor the more than 1.3 million Connecticut citizens who have served the nation in defense of peace and freedom. It will recognize past, present and future Connecticut veterans and will be a site for official observances, activities, and ceremonies that honor veterans.

“Since the Revolutionary War, Connecticut’s armed forces have served the state and the nation with courage and bravery. Having a community gathering place to honor them reflects our deep respect for their commitment and sacrifices,” Malloy said. 

The memorial’s architectural designs by BL Companies of Meriden, were announced, as were plans to complete the project by the end of 2013. TheConnecticut State Veterans Memorial will feature a granite colonnade structure consisting of five columns representing each branch of military service as the memorial’s main focal point.

A semicircular granite Honor wall with “HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED” engraving will act as the memorial’s framing element. The memorial will highlight various conflicts with engraved granite makers throughout the plaza.
Included will be granite pavers, benches, specialty lighting, and landscaping. 

Five U.S. veterans dug the first ceremonial shovelfuls of soil to break ground for the memorial, each representing one of the five branches of the U.S. Military Air Force Airman 1st Class Cornelius Greenway of Middletown, Vietnam-era including service in North Africa/Libya. 

The colors were presented by members of the Connecticut National Guard in a procession with the Antique Veterans, World Post #1, of Meriden.