Pictured here at the Oct. 4 presentation at the CT Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill are (l to r): Norman Hanenbaum, immediate past commander of the Dept. of CT JWV; Stanley Schwartz, member of JWV Hartford-Laurel Post 45 and Schwartz’ husband; Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz; and Elliott Donn, past commander of the CT Dept. of CT JWV and a member of the National Executive Committee of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA.

At its 2013 National Convention in Richmond, Va., the Jewish War Veterans of the USA unanimously conferred a Life Honorary Membership upon Dr. Linda S. Schwartz, CT Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. Schwartz’s career includes that of Air Force Flight Nurse, educator, administrator, and CT Commissioner of Veterans Affairs since 2003. She was the first female president of the National Association of State Commissioners of Veterans Affairs, and recently was nominated by President Obama to be assistant secretary of the National Department of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning. It is believed that Schwartz is only the third recipient of the Life Honorary Membership in the 118-year history of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV).