When Governor Ned Lamont recently released the list of the 14 veterans named as the 20th class of honorees for induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, one local resident was among that group. Donna A. Monteleone Randle of Sandy Hook also received a great surprise when she was presented with her honor a little earlier than other members of the Class of 2024.

The CT Veterans Hall of Fame is the state’s official tribute recognizing former members of the United States Armed Forces who are from this state and have continued making significant contributions to their communities after leaving military service. This year’s class will be formally celebrated during an induction ceremony scheduled for Thursday, January 23, hours after this week’s print edition went to press.

Unfortunately, a prior commitment meant the longtime Sandy Hook resident could not attend the January 23 ceremony. Fortunately, a few key players made sure she received her honor nevertheless. Monteleone Randle and her husband were invited to the State Capitol last week, where they were surprised by a larger-than-expected group of people ready to celebrate her honor.

Monteleone Randle told The Newtown Bee she had been contacted by someone involved with the CT Hall of Fame. She said she was told Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Ronald Welch was aware she could not attend the full ceremony because she is scheduled for a medical procedure that same day.

“The email said, ‘They want to wish you well before your surgery, so I figured that’s what was going on,’” she said January 17.

Within hours of the governor announcing the Class of 2024, Monteleone Randle also started hearing from friends including Command Sergeant Major Arthur L. Fredricks US Army and Air Force Lt Col (Chaplain) Eric Wismar. Both asked if Monteleone Randle would mind if they joined her and her husband for the small ceremony.

“This was all happening Monday night and Tuesday morning,” January 13 and 14, Monteleone Randle said, “and I thought ‘This is nice.’”

When Monteleone Randle and her husband arrived at the State Capitol last Tuesday evening, they were escorted into the Office of Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz.

“All of a sudden people started showing up,” including the couple’s adult children, Nicholas and Marie; State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, and Commissioner Welch.

“It was amazing,” Monteleone Randle said. “Susan Bysiewicz said we should wait a few minutes, and I wondered what we were waiting for,” she continued, laughing.

“Then Eric and Art were there, and then Major General Francis Evon walked in — this is the commander general for the State of Connecticut for the National Guard!

“And then the governor walks in, and I was still like ‘What am I missing?’” she said, laughing harder. “You can imagine the look on my face when I realized what was happening.”

Bysiewicz served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which included the presentation of a plaque from the Office of the Governor noting Monteleone Randle’s membership in the CT Veterans Hall of Fame. The honoree was also presented with a General Assembly Official Citation, a Certificate of Recognition from Senator Richard Blumenthal, and an Official Statement from Lt Gov Bysiewicz.

The citation was done on behalf of State Senators Tony Hwang and Stephen G. Harding and State Reps Bolinsky and Foncello.

It was presented in recognition; it says in part, “for your service and continued service as Post Commander & District 3 Chaplain American Legion Post 202 serving Newtown and Brookfield. Today we applaud you and congratulate you as a recipient of this most prestigious award.”

Bysiewicz offered her congratulations in her official statement, saying in part Monteleone Randle’s “years of patriotic service in the US Army Signal Corps helped ensure that all Americans can live in a free and democratic Nation today.

“You have dedicated yourself to building thriving communities and a stronger Connecticut,” it continued. “We are all extremely grateful for your sacrifice and leadership.”

State Senator Tony Hwang had been invited to the ceremony, but did not attend, for which Monteleone Randle was grateful.

“Tony had a cold,” she said. “He was sneezing and contagious, and knows I’m heading toward surgery, so he was considerate and did not join us.”

Hwang did offer his best via email, however, saying he joined “state officials in congratulating Donna Monteleone and all the honorees. Donna Monteleone has dedicated her life to serving her country in the US Army and to our community. We are grateful for those many years of service.”

Bolinsky and Foncello also issued statements following the January 14 ceremony.

Bolinsky expressed “a deep appreciation” for Monteleone Randle. Having known her for more than 20 years, he said, he has “always taken notice of her terrific leadership skills, her dedication to serving others, the pride she displays in being a veteran, and her love of Newtown, the community we both call home. As Lt Governor Bysiewicz said, Donna embodies the service, dedication, and contribution of a growing population of woman-veterans. I salute Donna for her energy and all she does for others,” the statement also said in part.

Foncello, a US Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret), called the honoree “the embodiment of the American Legion’s Motto: Veterans Strengthening America.

“Her notable works, which are many, include helping veterans transition into their communities, providing access to medical services for veterans and advocating for healthcare for women veterans, and organizing services on major patriotic holidays,” his statement continued in part. “She also coordinates with local organizations such as Hearts of Hope and Valentines for Troops to ensure that our active military members know that we appreciate their service.”

Monteleone Randle called the surprise ceremony “one of the most exhilarating days of my life.

“I really, really appreciate what they did, because they didn’t have to. I’m honored and touched that they went out of their way to do this,” she said.

Peer Recognition

Monteleone Randle said short of the day she married her husband and the day she gave birth to their children, her CT Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony is among the biggest days of her life so far.

“The reason is, you’re recognized by your peers,” she shared. “Everyone who nominated me is someone who I admired and respect.”

US Army Lieutenant Colonel Tara Carr (Ret), a fellow member of American Legion Post 202 and former First Selectwoman of Brookfield, nominated Monteleone Randle, with supporting endorsements from Command Sergeant Major Fredricks and Lt Col (Chaplain) Wismar, US Air Force veteran Christina Calabrese, US Navy veteran Rena Debrydnio, US Army Major (Ret) Phil Cruz, and others.

“There’s a list of people who helped put this together,” Monteleone Randle said. “They’re formidable people. They’re amazing, wonderful people.”

The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is administered by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and the Connecticut Military Department on behalf of the Office of the Governor. It is not a military hall of fame; instead, it seeks to recognize veterans for their countless contributions to society after their service, according to its website.

The first class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was inducted in November 2005 and includes the 41st President of the United States and former Greenwich resident George Herbert Walker Bush.

In 2015, a plaque was unveiled and placed in the Legislative Office Building with the names of all Inductees of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame since 2005. Each subsequent class has been named on this plaque.

Monteleone Randle is only the second Newtown resident to be inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. The first was William Ford Law Rodgers, who was inducted last year as a member of the Class of 2023.

A Fervent Advocate

According to the Office of Governor Ned Lamont, Donna A. Monteleone graduated from New York Polytechnic Institute in 1978 and was in the second class where women were commissioned through ROTC. She served on active duty in the US Army Signal Corps from 1978 to 1983. She served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and worked with the White House Communications Agency during President Carter’s visit in 1979.

At Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Monteleone served as executive officer and was the sole female officer on a joint US Army and Marine Corps Project featuring then-state-of-the-art vehicle-mounted TV cameras, lasers, and audio equipment to conduct “war games.”

Monteleone attended Signal Officer Basic Course and Signal Officer Advanced Course at Fort Gordon, Ga., and Telecommunications Staff Officer College (Joint Branches) at Keesler Air Force Base. During both assignments, she served as international military liaison with allied officers from Africa and Middle East.

In 1983, she was hired by Exxon Corporation as senior telecommunications engineer and was assigned as a purchasing agent for telecommunications and computer needs. In 1990, she was hired by Witco Corporation to oversee the purchase of raw materials to make intermediate products. In 1993, she was offered a promotion to senior purchasing manager at Unilever Corporation in New York, where she met her future husband, Neil P. Randle.

After marrying, the couple accepted assignments with Unilever in Mexico and the Czech Republic. She was involved in both countries with the US Consul Office as a liaison and advocate for newly arriving Americans.

In 2005, the Monteleone Randles moved back to the US and the family put down roots in Sandy Hook.

Monteleone Randle is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Western Military Officers Association. She has been chairing Valentines for Troops for 19 years, which partners with local organizations and schools to create and send cards and care packages to active duty military me e isn’t a group that helps these women. That’s the next thing we’re looking toward doing.”

(The public has an opportunity to participate in this year’s Valentines For Troops effort this week. American Legion Post 202 and Hearts of Hope-Newtown are coordinating a Paint With A Purpose evening on Wednesday, January 29, at Newtown Community Center. See our calendars in print and online for details.)

Monteleone Randle is also a fervent advocate for veterans who may not be connected to local, federal, or state services.

“We have a lot of people in Connecticut and Fairfield County, who are not members of any veterans association, who have no idea what things are available for them, and that’s why when we did the Newtown Health Fair this year, I got the VA to attend, and they brought a tremendous amount of people from all different groups, to talk to people,” she said.

Veterans not only received long overdue VA cards, she added, “many people having emotional crises, and all sorts of things going on, are finally being connected with help.”

Monteleone Randle estimates three dozen people received their VA cards during the event in November.

“That’s scary,” she said. “The one guy who made me want to cry was a Vietnam fella, who not only got his card that day, he told me he was also getting hearing aids because he finally had that card in hand.

“This is what I think we have to keep pushing for.”

She is also impassioned about raising awareness on issues affecting female veterans, and has participated in meetings with US Senator Richard Blumenthal and US Senator Chris Murphy.

Monteleone Randle said last week she enjoys working with Blumenthal “on outreach for homeless veterans,” adding there is an important difference between homeless and unhoused veterans. “Think living under a bridge vs sleeping on the couch,” she said.

Monteleone Randle sees a third category of veterans who also need help: women veterans with children who have suffered domestic abuse.

“The VA and many other organizations don’t know what to do with them,” she said of the women who fall into that crack in the system.

“If you’re a homeless or unhoused guy on your own, the VA can help you,” Monteleone Randle said. “But when a woman whose husband or spouse or boyfriend or brother or whatever shows up and says, ‘He’s beating me up and I’m fearing for my children’s safety,’ most places look at them and are like ‘Uh, what do you want me to do with your kids,’ because the kids don’t enter into your normal deck of cards.

“A few friends of mine, we’re going to try and see how we can not just advocate for these people, but how we can physically help these women,” she said. “There isn’t a group that helps these women. That’s the next thing we’re looking toward doing.”

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.