Danbury City Councilman Tom Saadi is leading a memorial ceremony this morning in honor of Memorial Day.  Saadi, a Major in the Army Reserve, was  appointed this month as General Counsel and legislative Director of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.  Saadi says Veterans should be remembered not just on holidays, but year round.

5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty is reflecting on a roundtable discussion she hosted this month.  It was held at Western Connecticut State University, where she says they have an active veteran group. Esty says she is committed to working towards a smarter, leaner government, and that there is no smarter investment or greater duty than honoring the country's commitment to veterans and military families.

Senator Richard Blumenthal is speaking out on this Memorial Day for better service from the Veterans Affairs Department.  He said during a hearing recently that delays in help are unacceptable.  A deal has been reached to keep construction underway on a troubled Veterans Affairs hospital in Colorado, even though it's an estimated $1 billion over budget. 

Blumenthal has been a vocal critic of the VA's funding request, saying veterans elsewhere shouldn't be forced to sacrifice for the suburban Denver project.