A new Connecticut law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special registration marker plates to veterans or armed forces member who served in periods of war. State Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-115) championed this bill in the 2021 Legislative Session and it passed with strong bipartisan support. She along with State Rep. Charlie Ferraro (R-117), an active member of the Veteran’s Committee, joined a group of veterans in West Haven last week to unveil the war period license plates and thank them for their advocacy in getting this bill passed through the legislature.
This bill expands the opportunity for those that served during specific war time periods and received a campaign medal to get a license plate that demonstrates which war they served in.
“We have a rich history of veteran sacrifice here in Connecticut. The designation of a war period license plate is a special way to provide our veterans with the recognition and appreciation that that they so greatly deserve,” said Borer. “I’d like to thank David Ricci, a West Haven Vietnam veteran who originally brought this request to our attention, secured hundreds of signatures from interested veterans to help draft the bill and who strongly advocated for its passage. This bill passed with strong bipartisan support by my colleagues, and I could not be more excited to see all our veterans drive with pride.”
“It seemed that there were already a number of specialty plates in CT and that a specific war veteran plate would be a great way to recognize veterans. Dorinda drafted the bill to include several wars which I thought was a fantastic idea. I’m sure that this will be much appreciated by all Connecticut war veterans,” said David Ricci, President of West Haven Vietnam Veteran’s, West Haven Veteran’s Council.
“I want to commend Rep. Borer on her work putting this bill forward in a great act of public service. As a member of the Veteran’s Affairs committee, I recognize the importance of honoring these men and women who have served our country through decades of service in different wartimes. I would also like to thank David Ricci, a West Haven resident and Vietnam veteran, for his advocacy on this issue. It is great that we can offer these brave veterans a way to personally acknowledge their unique sacrifices to our nation. They continue to make each and every one of us proud to be Americans, and we will always support them through our work in the state legislature,” said Ferraro.
Veterans can request a war period plate by filling out the state’s Special Plate Application Form on the DMV website at https://portal.ct.gov/DMV-War-Vet-Plate. A copy of Certificate of Honorable Release or Discharge From Active Duty (form DD 214) must be submitted with this application. All application materials must be mailed to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Customized Plates Unit, 60 State St., Wethersfield, CT 06161.
Plate requests can be made for vehicles that are currently registered in Connecticut and are owned or leased by an honorably discharged veteran or the surviving spouse of such veteran.