Look at us, assisting Veterans despite ongoing federal funding uncertainties (with dozens of our friends statewide!). Thanks to @ctpublic.bsky.social for chatting with us and CT Vets Affairs for an incredible Stand Down.

We join DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in opposing H.R. 3132, the CHOICE for Veterans Act, which would change the law to allow people to charge Veterans with disabilities for assistance making initial claims among other troubling changes. 🚫🦈

Exciting news...CT OPM has a new form for Veterans claiming property tax exemption due to being P&T! This policy has caused a lot of confusion, and we are still working through the answers. For now, here is a place to start.

Just a few days left to claim early bird status and save $25 on your ticket to Saluting Service! Use code earlybird25 when purchasing a regular ticket. 🎫

From CVLC Supervising Attorney Chelsea Donaldson: "If the V.A.’s rule is codified, the message the agency will be sending is clear: Women’s health is not a priority for the armed forces or for this administration. The risks are real." [Gift Article]

From CVLC Supervising Attorney Chelsea Donaldson: "If the V.A.’s rule is codified, the message the agency will be sending is clear: Women’s health is not a priority for the armed forces or for this administration. The risks are real." [Gift Article]

Good news...the lease has been renewed and the Stamford CBOC will remain open! Read more: ctexaminer.com/2025/08/15/s... Thanks to all who spoke up and all who were working behind the scenes to make sure all Veterans have easy access to care.

It's tiiiiiime! Get your Early Bird tickets to Saluting Service, happening Nov 6 in New Haven, to celebrate the work of some of our incredible partners and heroes: Christy Fisher, GLAD Law (@gladlaw.bsky.social), McCarter & English, and Monty Gada (LICSW, VA CT) ✨ #Veterans #Connecticut #EarlyBird🦅

Beach day! Our ED Alison had a great time this weekend at the 8th-annual Military Appreciation Day at Ocean Beach Park in New London.

Another great win for CVLC Attorney Sarah Leone and her client, Mr. Kelly Davis. A US Army and US Navy Veteran, Mr. Davis was facing a $500/month rent increase despite ongoing condition issues. With Sarah's advocacy at the Fair Rent Commission in Bridgeport, the increase was denied. Read now ⤵️

Another great win for CVLC Attorney Sarah Leone and her client, Mr. Kelly Davis. A US Army and US Navy Veteran, Mr. Davis was facing a $500/month rent increase despite ongoing condition issues. With Sarah's advocacy at the Fair Rent Commission in Bridgeport, the increase was denied. Read now ⤵️

We went to a baseball game this weekend! Thanks to Sikorsky, a longtime funder and supporter of our work. The Hartford Yard Goats won! And we met some baby goats (not pictured)! #GoGoats @yardgoats.bsky.social

Great article walking through some of the (many) reasons that Veterans need the VA...community care just won't cut it for the unique, complicated needs of our country's Veterans. And there isn't enough healthcare in most communities, anyways.

We are deeply concerned any time there is a change that makes it more difficult for Veterans to access the VA healthcare services they earned. It is not reasonable to ask a Veteran—many of whom are aging or disabled—to travel 40 miles or out of state for an appointment.

Just awful cruelty. Thank you to @militarydotcom.bsky.social for telling these stories, which will only continue to occur until these dreadful and unjust policies are corrected.

These findings align with what we see in our work each day and as we develop updates to the DU Practice Manual. We urge the DOD to pay heed and make the necessary corrections that allow Veterans to restore their dignity of service that has been unjustly denied.

As many as 40% of our Veteran clients have experienced homelessness. The Executive Order released on July 24th is a misguided policy that will hurt our clients and other people like them.

CVLC Exec Dir Alison Weir: ""-This is a horrible breach of trust towards our allies, individuals who risked their lives to assist our service members overseas. Translators like Zia deserve safety. ... 1/2

Applications now open for our 2025 writing seminar: thewarhorse.org/writing-semi...

Pretty good news: "We are encouraged that the [VA] has backed away from the draconian numbers they were forecasting to cut, but... (1/2)

We'd like to thank our staff and advocates, along with representatives from @ctveteranslegal.bsky.social, Legal Action Center, @nlihc.org, @voice4humanneed.bsky.social and the Office of the Iowa State Public Defender for joining us as we fight towards equal justice for everyone under the law.

Happy Canada Day to all our besties up North! We appreciate you.

Our ED Alison spoke to The Day as part of their coverage of the CT property tax exemption for certain Veterans. It's complicated! Looking forward to continue to work to make sure we are supporting our most vulnerable Veterans and their families.

Today is the last day to give to help us reach our goal for the 2025 Ride for Our Vets (and end of FY!). Give any amount now. Apple Pay accepted on mobile (+credit/debit and DAF, if you are fancy). All funds support our free legal services for CT's Vets! ctveteranslegal.donordrive.com/Ride2025

Success for one US Army Veteran, thanks to CVLC Attorney Sarah Leone and New Haven's Fair Rent Commission. Read more⤵️

Our ED Alison spoke to The Day as part of their coverage of the CT property tax exemption for certain Veterans. It's complicated! Looking forward to continue to work to make sure we are supporting our most vulnerable Veterans and their families.

"“We need to do better with all the subsequent generations. It's the true cost of war, but it's not an aspect of war that we tend to remember or look at,” Loomis said." Thanks to @blumenthal.senate.gov for inviting us to support the Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act.

Recovered from The Ride (not as young as we used to be...) and want to send a huge THANK YOU to all who rode, volunteered, staffed, and supported the 2025 Ride for Our Vets. Together, we are sosososo close to our goal of $150k. Can you pitch in to help us get there?? 🙏

The Ride for Our Vets—our biggest fundraising event of the year—is tomorrow. It is rain-or-shine! It is too late to register online, but you can help a member of Team CVLC meet their fundraising goal online anytime. 🙏

I had the privilege of moderating a panel discussion on the human impact of federal funding cuts. Thank you to NLADA Board members Soummer Crawford and Liza Merrill, as well as Alison Weir (@ctveteranslegal.bsky.social) and Jeff Wright (IA State Public Defender) for sharing your stories! #JustFundIt

Good news from SCOTUS. We want to congratulate and thank Mr. Soto and his counsel for their efforts on behalf of our nation's combat-disability retirees, who are, in the words of the Supreme Court, "exceptionally deserving." Read the SCOTUS Opinion ⤵️

Tonight in Washington DC, our Exec Dir. Alison Weir will be joining @nlada.bsky.social to talk about the importance of funding our civil legal aid and public defense. Learn more and join us (tell her you heard about it on BlueSky!): ⤵️

Reading a U.S. Supreme Court opinion can be intimidating for a layperson, but this helpful guide will make it a lot easier: www.americanbar.org/groups/publi...

Attorneys! On Thursday, we will be at the CBA's annual legal conference talking about the PACT Act. Hear from Attny Donaldson, Attny Brady, and CVLC Board members and surviving spouse Amy Antioho, joined by Patrick Lynch. CT and NY CLEs available. (Link in comment to make room for GIF)

We join NCHV and others in urging Congress to fast-track H.R. 1815 (VA Home Loan Program Reform Act). CT has lost beds for homeless Vets since the pandemic began—this bill will help fill that gap by empowering VA to provide the resources that reflect today’s economic reality. Read more via NCHV⤵️

The Ride for Our Vets is only a few days away! Sign up online by Thursday so save us all the headache of same-day registration. 🙏 www.ctveteranslegal.org/theride

We had a great time at Middletown PrideFEST on Saturday! Thanks to all who stopped by to get info, share your support, and dance with us. 🗽🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

"Lavingia did not have much time to immerse himself in how the VA handles veterans’ care between starting on March 17 and writing the tool on the following day."

Here's our Stars and Stripes front page from June 6, 1944. Today is the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Heroes, all. 3/3

Robert Capa contact sheet June 6, 1944 Normandy, France

On D-Day we join in recognizing the service and sacrifice of our soldiers. CT Vets Bulletin has put together a wonderful summary. This includes the names of CT soldiers who lost that day: * Pvt. James E. Donovan * Pvt. John S. Gourley * Sgt. Charles E. Rich * Pvt. Joseph J. Sadowski

Official statement: "I am dismayed that the Secretary of Defense is dishonoring a Navy veteran and community leader not for his actions but because of who he was. Choosing to do so during Pride Month is particularly shameful." - Alison Weir, Exec Director, USAF Veteran (Retired)

Logging back onto BlueSky for the first time in weeks to post this...we love this dog! What a good girl! Thx @taskandpurpose.com (and @thewarhorsenews.bsky.social for including in your weekly good news email).

Happening now! It started at 2pm, so we are late but they are still asking and answering questions. www.c-span.org/event/house-...

The registration fee for the Ride for Our Vets goes up tomorrow! Sign up now for only $85 and join us for a great ride and celebration of Veteran justice. ➡️www.ctveteranslegal.org/theride

This order is a step backwards, reducing military readiness and making it more difficult for qualified Americans to serve and have access to the benefits of one of our country's greatest entries to the middle class. 🧵⬇️

"These veterans have stepped forward to serve again. Standing once more for their freedom and that of their neighbors. We fully support their democratic desire to unite and, with a common voice, collaborate with their landlord to improve their community." -Brendan Murphy, CVLC Attorney

The registration fee for the Ride for Our Vets goes up tomorrow! Sign up now for only $85 and join us for a great ride and celebration of Veteran justice. ➡️www.ctveteranslegal.org/theride

Happening now! Sharing for anyone interested.