Submitted by Haley Stafford, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
(October 13, 2022) — Chairwoman Kristen Roberts of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has announced that the chamber’s 21st Annual Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting will be held on Monday, November 7, 2022. 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 Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 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, in recognition of his or her distinguished service to the citizens of Connecticut and selfless commitment to public service. This year’s recipient is Albert Hamrah.
The AT&T Veteran Support Champion of the Year Award is presented annually 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 is Whelen Engineering Company.
Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “We are very much looking forward to the 21st Annual Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting. We are honored to have Rear Admiral William G. Kelly as our speaker and thank him for his service to nation. We also look forward to honoring Albert Hamrah with the William J. Pomfret Award, and Whelen Engineering Company with the 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.”
ALL VETERANS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AS GUESTS OF THE CHAMBER. Thanks to the support of Middlesex Health, all veterans and troops who are currently serving can attend this event free of charge. Please call the chamber to register, 860-347-6924 or email info@middlesexchamber.com.
Rear Admiral William G. Kelly assumed the duties of the 42nd Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London in May of 2019. He is a 1987 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and earned his Master’s Degree in Instructional Systems Design and a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Florida State University. Rear Admiral Kelly is a Cutterman with more than ten years of service at sea, including two command tours on board CGC SENECA and CGC MONOMOY. As Executive Officer in CGC SPENCER, he prepared and successfully led the crew for deployment with the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His major awards include the Legion of Merit (4), Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (6), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the permanent Cutterman’s Pin.
