ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (Feb. 20, 2006)–The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars leadership participated in a Public Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Department Commander Charles M. Pickett and National Sergeant-At-Arms Brian Willette placed the wreath in a Saturday afternoon ceremony.

The honor was a team effort. Special thanks to Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Office Assistant Annabella (Bella) Pereira who made the wreath, Adj/Qm Domenic M. Guiliano who provided logistics, Past VFWCT Auxiliary President Kathrine Fleischauer who delivered the wreath to the hotel, and John Kennedy who accompanied Pickett on the 18 minute, uphill trek from the Visitor’s center an hour before the event.

Willette’s father was in the Old Guard so the day was extra special for him. Thank you Team Connecticut!

VFW Connecticut and Auxiliary leadership were at the 2026 VFW Washington Conference. The conference is an annual legislative event where Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) leaders from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., to lobby lawmakers, hear from guest speakers, and watch the VFW Commander-in-Chief testify before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. #VFWDC2026