Resident Honored With Wartime Service Medal

By Shannon Hicks

When Jose Lebron received a package in the mail recently with a return address of Department of Veterans’ Affairs, his wife Joan knew what it was. The couple had filled out paperwork at the beginning of the year, and Mr Lebron was finally receiving a Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal.

The tradition of striking medals to honor service people has been a custom since Civil War times in Connecticut, but that tradition was somehow set aside after World War I until last year, when the state legislature made a concerted effort to reignite the program, honoring veterans who served in wars or conflicts from World War II through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Through press releases and website information, eligible veterans had been invited to submit applications and proof of service during 2007 and the first few months of this year to the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The department then coordinated ceremonies to be held in towns across the state, where living veterans of all conflicts dating from World War II were honored by their home state.

Nearly 120 veterans from Newtown and Sandy Hook were honored at a special ceremony in June at Newtown High School. State Representative DebraLee Hovey, in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, distributed Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals to veterans identified as having served in time of war and who was a resident of the state at the time he or she was called to active duty or who presently lives in Connecticut.

The bronze medals suspended from red, white, and blue ribbons were designed and procured by the commissioner’s staff in cooperation with the staff of Major General Thad Martin. Funds for the medals came from money in the General Assembly.

A second ceremony was held on September 11 at Ashlar of Newtown, where another 22 Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals were awarded to residents.

“These kinds of local ceremonies are really the preferred way of awarding the medals,” Commissioner Linda Schwartz said in June, although in some cases the medals are sent through the mail.

Mr Lebron served in the US Army from 1961 until 1964. He was stationed in Germany during the East-West Conflict surrounding the Berlin Wall. He served as a military police officer, and retired with the rank of Private First Class.

Unfortunately the Lebrons were never notified of the June ceremony at the high school, and Mr Lebron’s medal arrived quietly in the mail recently.

The medal was accompanied by a certificate and a letter signed by Governor M. Jodi Rell.

“It is with tremendous pride and gratitude that I thank you for your faithful military service to our nation and state,” the letter states in part. “The invaluable freedoms and blessings we share in America are a direct result of your loyal service in uniform and the service of your fellow soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Since before this nation was founded, Connecticut residents have answered the call of duty. You are a proud and distinguished part of that history.”

The medal, the letter continued, is a “small but important token of the esteem that our citizens hold you in because of your service.” It binds together all Connecticut veterans who have “served this country in uniform dug times of conflict dating back to World War II.

“This medal signifies that you are a true Connecticut and American hero,” continues the letter.

The Lebrons have lived in Sandy Hook since 1970, when they built their home on Camelot Crest. Mr Lebron is a custodian at Head O’ Meadow School, and Mrs Lebron is a librarian at the Geraldine Johnson School in Bridgeport.

They have four daughters: Gina, Holly, Marisol, and Nicole.

“We were a little disappointed to not be involved in the ceremony, but we will honor him with a family gathering,” Joan Lebron promised. “We missed the formal ceremony, but what perfect timing: This arrived just in time for Veterans’ Day.”