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VFW CONNECTICUT HAS ALL-AMERICAN YEAR IN 2026
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (July 8, 2026)–The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States had an exceptional membership year, with 54 of 80 Posts, all six districts, and the Department achieving All-American status for 2025-2026 and finishing with a repeat 102% Department membership record. The All-American program recognizes leadership, teamwork and accomplishment…
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PICKETT NAMED VFW TRIPLE-CROWN COMMANDER
KANSAS CITY, MO (JULY 3, 2026)– The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has released the roster of the VFW Triple-Crown Class of 2025-2026, which includes VFW Connecticut Past Department Commander Charles M. Pickett. Recipients of the coveted Triple Crown have earned All-American honors as Post, District, and Department Commander, wrote Matt Nute,…
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2026 VFW CONNECTICUT CONVENTION
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (June 12-14, 2026)—Following a year of remarkable achievements, hundreds gathered at the Sheraton Hartford South for the 105th Department of Connecticut VFW and Auxiliary Convention. The three-day event combined business with celebrations of the year’s successes, including a popular repeat performance by the Coconuts during the Friday evening Bash. This year, Connecticut…
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PICKETT DELIVERS “STATE OF THE STATE VFW” ADDRESS AT VFWCT CONVENTION
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (June 12, 2026)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Inc. Commander Charles M. Pickett delivered opening remarks at the Opening Session of the 105th Annual Convention at the Sheraton Rocky Hill on June 12, 2026. Good morning, esteemed delegates and guests. I rise to report on our achievements over the past year…
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VFWCT Past Commanders buried in the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery
MEMORIAL DAY VFWCT COMMANDERS: There are five, Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past-Department Commanders buried in the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, including a Medal of Honor recipient. • 1952-53: William J Johnston, MoH, VFW 6990 Colchester (72-F-17) • 1968-69 Robert C. Mantel, VFW 583 Middletown (70B-18) • 1982-83 Americo J. Tancredi,…
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PICKETT PRINCIPAL SPEAKER AT MIDDLETOWN MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. (May 25, 2026)–Despite rain postponing the Middletown Memorial Day parade, a ceremony was held indoors at the American Legion Post 75. Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Connecticut Commander Charles M. Pickett was the principal speaker, and delivered remarks to local leaders, veterans, and citizens. Memorial Day Address: The Price of the Promise…
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VFW CONNECTICUT AND AUXILIARY LEADERSHIP AT 2026 VFW WASHINGTON CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, DC (March 1, 2026)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign wars and Auxiliary leadership attended the 2026 VFW Washington Conference, meeting with representatives from our federal delegation. 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…
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PICKETT GIVES FEATURED ADDRESS AT TRIBUTE “BONUS MARCH”
WASHINGTON, DC (March 2, 2026)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Charles M. Pickett was a featured speaker addressing a veteran tribute march on the National Mall. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) national organized a Bonus Army Memorial March as part of the VFW Washington Legislative Conference. Hundreds braved a snowstorm to pay…
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VFWCT COMMANDER PLACES WREATH AT TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER
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.…
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PICKETT INDUCTED INTO 2025 CLASS OF CONNECTICUT VETERANS HALL OF FAME
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (Jan. 22, 2026)– Fourteen veterans, including Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Charles M. Pickett, were inducted into the 2025 Class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, held in a packed Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium at the Connecticut Veterans Affairs campus. The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is…
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PICKETT MAKES GENERATIONAL MILITARY DONATION
HARTFORD, CONN. (Jan 21, 2026)–Spanning three generations of his family, Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Charles M. Pickett donated a century of American military equipment to the state history museum. Pickett said that more than 141 individual items were donated to The Museum of Connecticut History–Connecticut’s state history museum that collects and…
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VFW CONNECTICUT INCREASES STATE SCHOLARSHIP TOP PRIZE
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (Jan. 11, 2026)–Because of the generous donations by Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in the state of Connecticut, the statewide youth scholarship program award has been increased. The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars, Voice of Democracy annual audio-essay contest increased their grand prize to $1,000 for the January 11, 2026…
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VFW CONNECTICUT AGAIN INCREASES NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
ROCKY HILL, CONN. (Dec. 27, 2025)— Demonstrating their commitment to core organizational programs, the Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign wars has again increased their national youth scholarship with a sizable donation. The VFW Connecticut Council of Administration voted during the December 27, 2025 regular meeting to donate $25,000 to increase the “Department of Connecticut…
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VFWCT COMMANDERS’ TURKEY TOUR 2026
Thank you to Vfw 7788 Travis C. Kitchen Post 7788 Milford, Ct for hosting Thanksgiving Dinner—for the past 30 years! Additional greetings to Post Commander Joe Razzaia for offering prayers to kick off the feast.
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VFWCT RECRUITING TEAM AT MOHEGAN SUN VETSROCK
The Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars membership team was at Vets Rock at Mohegan Sun. Great seeing old friends, other VSO’s, and veterans from all over the region. Domenic even got his flu shot!
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PICKETT CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE TO SAVE OUR STATE VETERAN CEMETERY
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. (November 11, 2025)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Charles M. Pickett continues to advocate for the salvation of the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, which is facing closure as it reaches capacity. The largest of the three state veteran cemeteries, with one in Darien closed and a small one in Rocky Hill…
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VFW CONNECTICUT LEADERSHIP AT EASTERN CONFERENCE
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (Oct. 23, 2025)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars and Department Auxiliary leadership attended the VFW Eastern Conference annual meeting. More than a dozen Bylaw resolutions were decided at the one-day conference, ending with a formal banquet at the Doubletree in Wilmington and presided over by President Ben Thompson of Proctor-Hopson VFW Post…
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2025 VFW CONNECTICUT AND AUXILIARY TESTIMONIAL
PLANTSVILLE, CONN. (Oct. 5, 2025)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary members, friends and family gathered for the 2025 Department Testimonial at the Aqua Turf Club. The annual event honored VFW Connecticut Commander Charles M. Pickett and Auxiliary President Cheryl Costello-Pelkey. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17oBEX9vmU
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VFW CONNECTICUT BRINGS RECRUITING “A” TEAM TO DURHAM FAIR
DURHAM, CONN. (Sep. 28, 2025)– Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars recruiters attended Military Appreciation Day of the largest agricultural fair in Connecticut. The Durham Fair, an annual tradition in central Connecticut since 1916, has been hosting a Military Appreciation Day on the Sunday of the four-day event. All US active military and US…
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VFWCT LEADERS ATTEND 2025 ANNUAL GOLD STAR FAMILY LUNCHEON
STRATFORD, CONN. (September 28, 2025)–Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary leadership attended the annual Department Auxiliary luncheon honoring Gold Star Families. Scheduled on the “Gold Star Mothers and Families Day,’ which is recognized on the last Sunday in September, the Gold Star Family Luncheon was sponsored by the Department of Connecticut VFW…