Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead is seeking the names of living or deceased women from town who were members of the armed services during World War II on or before April 22.womeninservice100.com.

As Newtown's Veterans Services liaison to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, Ms Halstead is working with fellow officials throughout the state to compile as many names as possible ahead of a celebration and awards ceremony being planned for June 10 that honors Women In the Armed Services, a Century of Service.

But the deadline for filing the appropriate documentation on behalf of local women who served is April 22.

That event is being hosted by a group of Connecticut veterans service organizations celebrating and honoring all World War II women veterans.

Ms Halstead said she can help survivors and relatives of any local female WWII service member to complete the application process for the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal and/or the Connecticut Service Members and Veterans Registry.

"We can accept applications for any living applicant, as well as for those who have passed away," Ms Halstead said. "If any surviving family member needs an official copy of a death certificate of a former service woman who died in Newtown, or the DD214 service separation documents, I can provide them at no cost to qualified family members."

She said the application for the 100th Anniversary recognition requires a certified copy of the DD214 document.

All Connecticut veterans with qualifying wartime military service are eligible to receive the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal provided they meet all of the following requirements:

*Submit documentary proof of qualifying military wartime service (90 days wartime service, excluding periods of active duty for training, or unless the war or operation lasted less than 90 days).

*Submit proof of an honorable discharge from military service (or discharge due to injuries received in the line of duty) for the qualifying wartime service, and

*Submit proof they currently are a resident of the State of Connecticut or that they were a resident at the time of qualifying wartime service.

Applicants must supply a completed and signed application form (CTMD VM-1), provide proof of service during a period of war (DD Form 214 or other documentation if DD Form 214 is unavailable), and proof of current residency in the State of Connecticut or proof of residency during time of qualifying service.

According to information from the state VA, the purpose of the Connecticut Service Member and Veteran Registry is to create a contact list to facilitate notification of service members and veterans as to military and veteran benefits and other useful information. The contact list contains only the names and mailing addresses of service members and veterans who reside in this state.

The registry will be compiled using information contained in the Department of Veterans Affairs' records and information submitted by the Military Department, the assessor of each town, and service members or veterans who apply. Information contained in the registry is not subject to public disclosure.

Ms Halstead is hopeful that there is at least one surviving WWII woman veteran still residing in Newtown. She said any individual or service group can also participate in supporting the anniversary event by making a donation to help underwrite the activity.

For details on where to send donations, contact Sal V. Sena, Sr, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation CT State Liaison, at 860-614-6188. For assistance or information about filing on behalf of a Newtown female WWII vet, contact Ms Halstead in the Town Clerk's Office at 203-270-4210.

Connecticut's VA Women Veteran Program Manager Dr Lynette Adams, the Patriot Riders, the Women Marine Association, Jewish War Vets, the Connecticut VA, the Marine Corps League, Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern CT, the VA Office of Advocacy and Assistance, USN Am Vets & American Legion, and USN Post 75 American Legion are among the individuals and organizations participating in promoting and hosting the June 10 event.

For more on information women in the military, visit