Dear John,

This Veterans Day, we honor and thank the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect our country. I am pleased to know there are an overwhelming number of events recognizing Veterans Day across the Fifth District.

Unfortunately, many are happening simultaneously, and I cannot make them all, but I am happy to see Veterans being celebrated throughout the district.  Nevertheless, today, I commemorate the sacrifices made by our veterans and reaffirm my commitment to working to improve the lives of those who have served and their loved ones.

This afternoon, I attended a Veterans Day celebration in Waterbury at Veterans Memorial Hall. We honored 11 heroic women who dedicated their lives to serving our country.

On Saturday, I will be attending the funeral of World War II Veteran Airman First Class Robert (Bob) Garth Williamson, who served as both a Technician Fourth Grade in the Army and an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force.

Airman Williamson contributed to developing crucial technologies that have helped to secure and protect our country. During World War II in 1944, Mr. Williamson joined the Army, where he trained in the Signal Corps to repair radios, transmitters, and diesel generators. Over the course of his life, Mr. Williamson worked as an engineer with organizations such as the Erco Radio Laboratory, Sperry Rand Corp, Perkin Elmer Corporation, Danbury Corporation; he was an instructor with the Bridgeport Engineering Institute and The University of Bridgeport, and collaborated on projects with premier institutions including NASA, the U.S. Office of Naval Research, the National Security Administration, and more. Airman Bob Williamson is the definition of a life well lived in service to his country, his family, and his community.

I will join the Town of Roxbury this weekend at a celebration recognizing the service and sacrifice of Fifth District veterans.

In Congress, I am leading efforts to ensure our veterans have the services and support needed to lead healthy, productive lives. This year, I led the introduction of the Caring for Survivors Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation to adjust monthly benefits for family members and survivors of veterans who lost their lives in service to the United States. The Caring for Survivors Act reduces the timeframe for a veteran to be rated totally disabled from ten to five years—broadening eligibility to more survivors. This long overdue adjustment will lessen the financial burden placed on veterans and service members and better support the families they have left behind.

As your Congresswoman, I will continue my work to ensure our veterans, active-duty service members, and their families can access the resources and support they need.

If you are a veteran or if you know any veterans who need assistance accessing benefits, receiving awards, or dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, please contact my office at (860) 223-8412. My casework team is dedicated to assisting veterans of the Fifth District with navigating issues with federal agencies.

To all the veterans who call the Fifth District home, thank you for your service. I am honored to represent you in Congress.

Please access the link here for a list of Veterans Day discounts and free meals.

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress