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Attorney Melissa Biggs with Executive Director of the Connecticut Office of Higher Education Tim Larson at the Danielson Stand Down location
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For the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, CBA members continued to provide pro bono legal services to veterans at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Stand Down event, which the CBA has assisted with since 1998. On Friday, September 24, Attorneys Richard D. Arconti, Melissa Biggs, Dennis M. Carnelli, Jason M. Fragoso, Joshua G. Grubaugh, James M. Hyland, Frank A. Manfredi, and Winona W. Zimberlin represented the CBA and provided in-person assistance to Stand Down attendees in Bridgeport, Danbury, Danielson, Norwich, and Rocky Hill.
Stand Down was established after the Vietnam War and provides veterans with “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits. This year’s Stand Down event included a virtual kickoff ceremony and informational webinars on September 22 and 23. For the in-person services on September 24, the five-location format helped to create socially distanced environments for veterans to safely receive in-person services.
“This was my first-year volunteering for Stand Down, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I was able to speak with veterans and some of their loved ones, all who have given so much for our country,” stated Melissa Biggs. “It was wonderful to give back to veterans in need and I’m looking forward to participating next year.”