Submitted by Haley Stafford
(October 13, 2026) — Chairwoman Juliet Cavanaugh of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Chamber’s 25th Annual “Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans” Member Breakfast Meeting will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026. The Breakfast Meeting, sponsored by Middlesex Health, will be held at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The Chamber looks forward to welcoming Brigadier General Thomas G. Olander, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Connecticut Air National Guard as keynote speaker.
Two awards will also be presented at the event, the William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award, and the AT&T Veteran Support Champion of the Year Award. The William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award is presented annually to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who has shown a selfless commitment to community and public service in Middlesex County. This year’s recipient is Paul Mangini.
The AT&T Veteran Support Champion of the Year Award is presented annually in November at our Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting. It is presented to a business or organization that supports active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families through employment, philanthropy, spousal support, and other means. This year’s recipient will be announced soon.
Chamber President Johanna Bond noted, “We are very much looking forward to the 25th Annual “Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans” Member Breakfast Meeting. We are honored to have Brigadier General Thomas G. Olander, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Connecticut Air National Guard as our speaker and thank him for his service to our nation. We also look forward to honoring Paul Mangini with the William J. Pomfret Award, and presenting our AT&T Veteran Support Champion of the Year Award. Finally, I want to thank Middlesex Health CEO Vin Capece and his team for sponsoring this important event, and Chairman Phil Cacciola and our outstanding “Support the Troops” Planning Committee for their great work.”
The cost is $30. Advance registration is required. Please register online at www.middlesexchamber.com. Thanks to the support of Middlesex Health, troops who are currently serving can attend this event free of charge. Please call the Chamber to register, at 860-347-6924 or email info@middlesexchamber.com.
