MEDIA CONTACTS: John Wiltse, Conn. Department of Veterans Affairs,

860-721-5980, Cell 860-754-4159

Laura Soll, Conn. Funeral Directors Association,

 860-688-4499, Cell 860-833-4466

* MEDIA ADVISORY *

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2008

10 a.m. Press Event (indoors, if rain)

At State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow La., Middletown (Driving directions below)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW CONNECTICUT PARTNERSHIP TO HONOR DECEASED U.S. VETERANS

Will Work to Identify and Bury Unclaimed Veterans Cremains

The Connecticut State Department of Veterans�Affairs is working with the
Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) and the Connecticut chapter of the Missing in America Project (MIAP) on a landmark effort to honor deceased U.S. veterans.

Connecticut’s new joint partnership is the first of its kind in the nation.

This new partnership has established a protocol to help determine whether there are any unclaimed cremated remains (cremains) of honorably-discharged U.S. veterans in Connecticut’s funeral homes and �if there are any �to provide dignified military burials for the deceased.

"All Connecticut veterans who have served this nation with honor deserve a final resting place of dignity and respect," comments Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz. "This creative partnership will enable us to fulfill that promise to some of our less fortunate citizens who sadly pass away without sufficient family and friends to say ‘thank you for your service�"

Speakers at the media event will include:

Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz, Connecticut Department of Veterans�Affairs;

Jonathan Woyasz, CFSP, President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association; and

Keith "Boomer" Soileau, State Director-Coordinator of MIAP-Connecticut.

Attending will be area funeral directors and veterans.

　

DIRECTIONS to the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane in Middletown:

From the South:

Take Rt. 9 North to Exit 12, Bow Lane. Make right at end of exit ramp onto Bow Lane.

Travel ½ mile and stone pillar entrance to cemetery will be on your right.

From the North:

Take Rt. 9 South through Middletown. Take Exit 12, Silver S. Left at end of exit ramp onto Silver St.

Take first right over bridge onto Eastern Drive, keeping CT Valley Hospital campus on your left.

Left at stop sign onto Bow Lane. Travel ½ mile and stone pillar entrance to cemetery will be on your right