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Winona W. Zimberlin and Carrie M. Coulombe volunteer in Rocky Hill at this year’s Stand Down.
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Jason M. Fragoso and Richard D. Arconti volunteering at Stand Down in Danbury.
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Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CBA members were still able to continue the nearly 25-year tradition of providing pro bono legal services to veterans at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual Stand Down event. On Friday, September 25, Attorneys Richard D. Arconti, Dennis M. Carnelli, Carrie M. Coulombe, Jason M. Fragoso, Daniel J. Horgan, Timothy Lenes, Frank Manfredi, and Winona W. Zimberlin represented the CBA as one of the few service organizations able to provide in-person assistance to Stand Down attendees in Bridgeport, Danbury, 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 component on September 24, in which community organizations explained how to access available services. On September 25, the new four-location format created a social distancing environment for veterans to safely receive in-person services.
Attorney Dennis M. Carnelli of Neubert Pepe & Monteith PC, an Army veteran and Stand Down volunteer, represented the CBA at the Bridgeport location. He expressed: “I am very pleased that we were able to provide legal services to veterans in Bridgeport and in other locations around the state despite the pandemic. The Stand Down is an important event and the participation of CBA volunteer attorneys makes it all the more meaningful.”