A total of 14 residents are part of the 20th class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
Patch Staff
VERNON, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont Tuesday announced that 14 veterans — including a vet from Vernon — have been selected as part of the 20th class of honorees for induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
The hall is the state's official tribute recognizing former members of the United States Armed Forces who are from Connecticut and have continued making significant impacts in their communities after leaving military service. This year's class will be honored during an induction ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in the Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium on the campus of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill.
"There are so many veterans from Connecticut who have continued their generosity even after leaving military service by volunteering in their communities and providing leadership that has helped improve the lives of others in many ways," Lamont said. "The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is a way we can celebrate the many veterans in our state who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have truly made a lasting impact. I congratulate the 14 veterans who are being inducted this year and I thank each of them to everything they have provided to our nation and the State of Connecticut."
The local inductee is:
Ronald A. Farina of Vernon (United States Marine Corps)
Find out what's happening in Vernonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Former Marine Corps Sergeant Ronald A. Farina withdrew from college in December of 1965 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam from early autumn of 1966 through 1967. After a successful business career, Mr. Farina returned to college and in December of 2015, fifty years after leaving college to enlist, he earned the first of two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from Central Connecticut State University, and later an Master of Fine Arts from Western Connecticut State University.
Mr. Farina is the author of four books, “At the Altar of the Past” “Out of the Shadows Voices of American Women Soldiers,” “Who Will Have My Back,” and “Sacrifice, The Final Chapter” released in October of 2024.
His published essays about the human cost of war, “Unsung Heroes,” “Keeping Promises,” and “War Torn,” have appeared in Connecticut Magazine. In 2021, Mr. Farina was awarded the AWP Intro Award for fiction for “At the Altar of the Past,” and The Society of Professional Journalists, Connecticut Chapter first place award for general column magazine feature, for the essay “War Torn.”
Mr. Farina’s writing has brought attention to wounded women soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, also to caregivers of catastrophically wounded veterans from those same wars, and to the families of fallen soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2024, Mr. Farina’s story about Marine Corporal Kelsee Lainhart, wounded at Abbey Gate during America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and paralyzed from the waist down, prompted the Connecticut based Sticks for Soldiers Foundation to choose Kelsee, their first woman to receive the honor in the 18-year history of the foundation, as the Sticks for Soldiers 2024 honoree, awarding her a life-changing financial gift.Through his writing, Mr. Farina has and continues to advocate for veterans and their families, making their stories known to the everyday American.
He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two golden retrievers, Henry and Preacher.
"No words could ever express the deep gratitude we have for the sacrifices and contributions our veterans have made on the battlefield, at home, and around the world," Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. "Not only have our inductees stood up when their nation called and did what needed to be done to protect our families, our nation, and our way of life. But, following their military service, they further demonstrated their commitment to their communities through their volunteer activities and activism. Congratulations to our inductees. We extend our sincere appreciation for your service to our country, for your commitment to your community, and for all your contributions to the State of Connecticut."
Added Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald P. Welch, "On behalf of our dedicated staff of professionals at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, we congratulate the fourteen of you on your honorable service and lifelong accomplishments. You effected a profound impact during your military service, and then pledged unwavering service and volunteerism to our Connecticut communities, including compassionate support and advocacy to our service members, veterans, and families in our great state and beyond. With heartfelt gratitude, we salute you and your lasting contributions. In celebration, we welcome you into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame."
Administered and sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and the Connecticut Military Department on behalf of the Office of the Governor, the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 2005 and inducts a new class annually. With the addition of this year’s class, there will now be 215 honorees inducted.
The focus of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is on veterans’ service to their communities after they have left military service. Many of the honorees are veterans who have been leaders in a variety of areas, such as the arts, education, public service, volunteer organizations, and community and business leadership.
The honorees are nominated throughout the year by members of the public, and then a committee – consisting of the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, members of the legislature’s Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, and a group of veterans from the state – reviews the nominations and selects inductees.
To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces. The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or national level and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.