Amvet vice commander spreads word of medal

(L to r) Amvets Post 47 Second Vice Commander James Neeland, Wallace Peterson and Joseph Luccier. Photos by D. Coffey.

In a small ceremony at the Westcott-Wilcox Home in Danielson, Wallace Peterson was presented with a Connecticut Wartime Service Medal for his service in WW II. The second vice commander of both Amvets Post 47 and Amvets Department of Connecticut, James Neeland, presented the medal with the thanks of the nation. Neeland was instrumental in helping Peterson fill out paperwork for the medal. It's available to all Connecticut service members with qualifying military wartime service who were honorably discharged. If a vet was a Connecticut resident during the time of service, he or she is also entitled to the medal.

The medal dates back to the Civil War, but the state stopped awarding it during WW II. “It was probably because the numbers were overwhelming,” Neeland said. Reinstated by Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner Dr. Linda Schwartz, the medal is once again available to qualifying vets. Neeland has presided at many ceremonies over the last 10 years. He wants to make sure that everyone who qualifies gets one. “There are plenty who qualify,” he said, “but so many WW II vets die a day.”

For more information, contact James Neeland at Amvets Post 47.