What can be done to help our veterans?
Veterans, lawmakers, and community leaders gathered this week in the Quiet Corner towns for a quarterly Veterans Community Forum, a listening session focused on the challenges facing local service members. The meetings, organized and led by Brian Maynard, past commander of American Legion Post 13, provide a consistent platform for veterans to speak directly with state officials.
The forum drew State Representatives Chris Stewart and Pat Boyd, State Senator Mae Flexer, Judge of Probate Gabbi Labonte, and Putnam Mayor and Vietnam veteran Barney Seney, along with dozens of veterans from across the region.
A central topic was the difficulty many veterans face transitioning back to civilian life. Attendees highlighted the connection between the loss of military structure and elevated suicide rates among veterans. They urged lawmakers to strengthen transition programs such as Troops to Trades, ensure military training counts toward state licensing, and expand community?based support networks for younger veterans.
Veterans also raised concerns about declining access to local schools. Many reported challenges arranging presentations, Veterans Day events, and youth programs, noting hesitation from some educators to engage with military?related topics. Several suggested integrating military studies into high school curricula, similar to vocational pathways, to expose students to service opportunities earlier.
Retention of younger veterans in the Quiet Corner remains a concern. Despite the region’s high veteran population per capita, many Iraq and Afghanistan?era veterans continue to leave due to limited job opportunities, housing shortages, and the concentration of services in larger cities. Attendees called for more equitable distribution of state and federal resources.
Mental health access was another recurring issue. Some veterans described traveling out of state for crisis support or retreat?style programs and urged the state to expand services in Eastern Connecticut.
The most contentious discussion involved inconsistent implementation of property tax exemptions for 100 percent Permanent and Total disabled veterans. Veterans described a patchwork of local rules, including annual recertification requirements despite permanent status, confusion over whether land is included in exemptions, rigid Jan. 1 deadlines that can cost veterans a full year of benefits, and differing interpretations of eligibility for veterans deemed unemployable by the VA. Surviving spouses also reported unexpected tax increases after the death of a veteran. Legislators acknowledged the problems and committed to clarifying state statutes and encouraging uniform practices across municipalities. Towns with active Veterans Advisory Committees were praised for helping veterans navigate paperwork and deadlines.
Lawmakers highlighted recent legislative progress, including no?cost veteran driver’s licenses with a flag emblem under the Hero Act, Public Act 26?35. Discussion continued around House Bill 5413, which would expand free dental care for veterans through the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund. Many attendees voiced support for updating Connecticut’s definition of “veteran” to align more closely with federal standards.
Throughout the forum, legislators emphasized bipartisan support for veterans’ issues. Veterans stressed that they are seeking benefits earned through service, not handouts, and called for clearer communication and fewer unfunded mandates on towns.
As the meeting concluded, lawmakers pledged to follow up on tax exemption inconsistencies, explore deadline flexibility, and address concerns raised by surviving spouses. Veteran organizations agreed to work toward a unified definition of “veteran” for future legislation. Quarterly forums will continue, and towns were encouraged to strengthen or establish Veterans Advisory Committees. Participants also expressed interest in improving school access and exploring a military studies curriculum for local districts.
By Brian Maynard
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