HARTFORD, Conn. - The State of Connecticut and Department of Veterans Affairs took honoring this nation's veterans a step further this year when they inducted 10 veterans into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Nov. 10. In a full-scale ceremony at the state Capitol's Hall of Flags, more than 300 people watched as the 10 honored veterans became the first class to be welcomed into the newly established brotherhood. "We are making history today," said Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz. "This is the first class of what we hope to be years and years of the hall of fame." Among the honorees was Lt. Ernest Plantz, a World War II-era submariner who, after surviving the sinking of USS Perch (SS 176), spent a couple of years as a prisoner of war. "This is an incredible honor, said Plantz. "I had no idea I was even nominated. My friend read about it in the newspaper and told me I was going to be in the Hall of Fame." The state VA and Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell established the Hall of Fame last March when the governor signed Executive Order No.5. Rell said the main purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize veterans for the work they do following their military careers. "The commissioner and I were talking one day and we asked each other what could we do even more to recognize the veterans who served our state and nation so well," said Rell. "And the commissioner said 'what gets me is that we don't always remember what these veterans have done after military service - the things they've done in their municipalities and communities.'" "Gov. Rell created the Hall of Fame to spotlight their contributions to their communities, including education, public safety, politics, recreation and other areas of public service," said Schwartz. "While acknowledging the unique service of military veterans to the defense of the nation, the intent of this hall of fame is to honor the fact that these individuals went on to enrich the lives of their communities and our state in a vast array of endeavors and contributions." To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, veterans must have been born or lived in Connecticut for at least five years and meet the definition of veterans under Connecticut general statutes. "The nominees must also have received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces, and veterans from all military conflicts are eligible for consideration," added Schwartz. A seven-member executive committee appointed by the governor was established to review all nominations and make recommendations to her for the first class of inductees. The 10 selected came from a pool of 70 nominees. Gov. Rell spent her time thanking the veterans for all their sacrifices and accomplishments. "I am so very proud of our veterans and all they have accomplished in the name of freedom and all they given to our state and country," she said. "We never know how to truly thank them, but we can thank them and honor the highlights of their accomplishments over the last years. "Congratulations to all of you," continued Rell. "You will forever be a part of Connecticut's history and your accomplishments will by read by many for many years to come. We are very proud of you.

List of inductees into Veterans Hall of Fame
Former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush
A naval aviator during World War II who flew 58 combat missions, he was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings. Elected to Congress in 1967, he also served at the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was elected the 41st president of the United States in 1988.

Nathan George Agos-tinelli
A first lieutenant in the Army during the Korean Conflict, he served six years in the Army Reserve and 23 years in the Connecticut National Guard rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He was elected Mayor of Manchester and then as state comptroller. Currently, he serves as the director of the Selective Service System for Connecticut.

William Thomas Coffey Sr.
Col. Coffey served in Korea and Vietnam as a national guardsman. For the past eight years, he's been active with the Connecticut Committee for the Employees Support of the Guard and Reserves, serving as vice chairman. With his son, he published two anthologies of American patriotism.

Randall Howard Collins
Dr. Collins served in the United States Army Military Intelligence Division during the Vietnam War. After returning to civilian life, he sought a career in education and in 1987, earned a doctorate from Boston University. He has been selected as the Connecticut Superintendent of the Year and led the Board of Education to award high school diplomas to World War II veterans whose education had been interrupted because of the war. He currently serves as the Superintendent of Public Schools in Waterford.

Bruce Hults Ey
(posthumously). Although stricken with polio in his youth, he served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. As a radio gunner on a B-17, he completed combat tours in Korea and Vietnam, was a prisoner of war, and received various medals and commendations including the Purple Heart. After retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel, he served his former comrades as the director of Veterans Home Life at the State Veterans Hospital and Home in 1973. He also spearheaded the improvement of quality of life for veterans at Rocky Hill. He also coached Little League in Weathersfield and ensured veterans were honored twice a year at Shea Stadium, Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

Joseph G. Lombardo
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and held the rank of second lieutenant as a navigator in the Army Air Force. Lombardo was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1956 and served on the House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. He organized the Middlefield American Legion Post #92 and served as its first commander. Other endeavors include serving on Board of Trustees of Middlesex Community College for 10 years, where he established an endowment fund that finances a tuition program for students in need.

Giacomo "Jack" Mor-dente III.
After serving in the Army during the Vietnam era, he joined the Army Reserve to continue his service. For the past 30 years, Mordente has served as Director of Vet-erans Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University. As an adjunct faculty member, he initiated the Vietnam Era Historical, Cultural, Social and Geopolitical Study of the Vietnam War. He has also spoken and lectured about America and the Vietnam experience, and women, minority and Gulf War veterans. He is also a member of the New Haven Vietnam Veteran Memorial Committee.

Dr. James Sedalia Peters II.
Dr. Peters served in the Navy during World War II. Despite being in a segregated camp at Great Lakes, Ill., his work and research helped to bring about integration in the Navy in 1945. A retired administrator, professor and psychologist, he served as associate commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Education. He has written numerous publications, including 25 books on a range of topics. His works include: "The Saga of Black Navy Veterans of WWII: An American Triumph," and "Social Justice for the Disabled."

Ernest Virgil Plantz
He served in the Navy for more than 30 years beginning during World War II. After surviving the sinking of his submarine, USS Perch (SS 176), he was caputured by the Japanese and became a prisoner of war. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Plantz is active in the Lions Club in Ledyard and his effort to enrich the lives of others was recognized by his becoming a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award for humanitarian service be-stowed by Lions International. A former member of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Agency, Plantz spends many hours teaching school children about the history of World War II and the sacrifices made by veterans.

Norman Warren VanCor
As a Marine sergeant in the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in saving the lives of two wounded comrades during a firefight in Vietnam in 1969. His other accomplishments including serving as the president of the Southing Water Commission, alternate member of the Judicial Review Council and he serves on the Council on Environmental Quality. He was inducted into the American Diabetes Hall of Merit and selected as one of the 50 most influential people in Connecticut in the fight against diabetes.

*Information provided by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs