Patrick R. Waldron Director
Address:	198 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810
Telephone:	203-797-4620

Description
    The Director of Veterans Affairs is directly responsible for the knowledge of laws, benefits, and rights from the federal and state governments available to veterans and their dependents. The Director interviews veterans to determine initial and continuing eligibility for benefits: conducts investigations to verify information and evaluates eligibility for benefits. He prepares and files applications for benefits with appropriate local, state, or federal agencies; provides information and answers inquiries regarding veterans benefits, and interprets laws and regulations to veterans and eligible dependents. In addition, the Director prepares and files appeals of decisions denying benefits as required; makes referrals to other local, state, or federal agencies offering specialized services, administers as the local Chairman for the State Soldiers, Sailors & Marine Fund. The Director speaks before interested groups on laws relating to veteran benefits; prepares reports, budgets, and maintains office files and case folders. In the last 20 years, the Veterans Affairs Office has served 5,264 veterans and 11,845 family members.

Successes
    The Veterans Affairs Office is dedicated to completing the initiatives it begins. The Director has worked in unison with Veterans Affairs administrators and Congressman Chris Murphy to continue to obtain monetary funding for the full time V.A. Medical Clinic in Danbury to serve all of our area veterans. Benefits were secured from veterans and/or dependents for the 2007-2008 fiscal year in the amount of $1,238,681.00, and $67,420.00 from the State of Connecticut ‘s Soldiers, Sailors & Marine Fund. The office is committed to continuing its efforts at securing grant funding for veterans.
    Several projects that were undertaken this year include the Korean War Memorial Ceremonies, Vietnam War Memorial Ceremonies, Memorial Day Parade, Placing of American Flags on deceased veterans’ graves for Memorial Day, and an appointment to the Veterans Administration and Rehabilitation Commission of the State of Connecticut. This year alone, the Office assisted 381 families consisting of 526 persons. Secured benefits for veterans and/or dependents for the period July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 totaled $1,238,681.00.
    When necessary the Director also expedites Veterans Affairs’ benefits with the assistance of numerous city departments including but not limited to the Town Clerk’s Office, Assessor’s Office, Department of Elderly Services, Registrar of Voters and the Tax Collector.
    After hours activities & Committees are a large part of the Directors work. The Director has attended countless events including an American Legion Convention in Hartford, VFW dinner and a VA seminar to VFW Post in Georgetown on veterans benefits. The Director is also active in Senator Dodd’s Veterans Advisory Committee, the Veterans Council of Danbury, the Memorial Day Parade Committee, the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Korean War Veterans Association. The Director also assists with the coordination of burials in the State Veterans Cemetery with area funeral homes and families.