The Director of Veterans Affairs for Danbury has passed away.  Patrick Waldron died suddenly Tuesday of a heart attack.  He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Korean War Veterans Association.  Waldron was 81 years old.

Former President of Danbury Veterans Council George Smith says a number of veterans were at the VA canteen and were all in shock.  He says there's a million stories from veterans about Pat Waldron.  Smith was told by a fellow veteran about how he was living in a culvert on the side of the road until Waldron took up his cause, and got him VA disability benefits.  Smith called Waldron an incredible guy who was always looking out for veterans.

City Councilman Tom Saadi, a member of the Army Reserves, says he was saddened by the news.  He called Waldron a pilar of the community and someone who dedicated his life to serving this country, and serving residents in the Greater Danbury area.  Saadi told a story of how anytime they would see each other, Waldron would always tell him what he was working on to help veterans.  He called that Waldron's mission, one that he carried out with energy, all his soul and his enthusiasm.  Saadi called Waldron's death a great loss for the City and the community.

Former City Councilwoman Mary Teicholz, whose son is in the military, says Waldron was always such an advocate for veterans in the area.  She recalled one year asking him to help her organization find a veteran to donate gifts to, and he was right there.  She says Waldron went above and beyond to find more funding to help the veteran out.  Teicholz organizes the Walk of Honor and the Warrior Award presentation each year, along with the new Walkway of Honor.