A New London resident is among 14 veterans selected to be the latest inductees into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
Steven A. Ricard, a U.S. Navy veteran, base commander for U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., and New London Veterans Advisory Committee chairman, will be honored with the other veterans during an induction ceremony at 5 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium at the state Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill.
Ricard, who is originally from Belmont, N.H., joined the Navy in 1971, attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School and was assigned to USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN 636) Interior Communications Division. He qualified in submarines in 1973, completed U.S. Navy SCUBA qualifications and was assigned collateral duties as ship’s diver. He was then assigned to USS Narwhal (SSN 671).
Ricard joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and served in units supporting Naval Submarine Support Facility at the Naval Submarine Base, the release stated. He was recalled to active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, reporting to the base’s security department and in February 2002 became senior military leader.
He then returned to the Naval Reserves, attended the Senior Enlisted Academy and became Command Master Chief Submarine Reserve Force. He retired from the reserves in 2005.
Ricard, who has been married to his wife Elaine for 47 years and has three children and three grandchildren, worked as a defense contractor before retiring in 2018. His community involvement included the New London Little League, Boy Scouts of America, St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish Council, and the American Heart Association Annual Walkathon.
“There are so many veterans from Connecticut who have continued their generosity even after leaving military service by volunteering in their communities and providing leadership that has helped improve the lives of others in many ways,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.
The other honorees are: Cicero B. Booker, Jr. of Waterbury (Marine Corps); Ronald A. Farina of Vernon (Marine Corps); Anthony J. Gaunichaux, Sr. of Middletown (Army); Thomas K. Kanasky, Jr. of Bridgeport (Marine Corps); Lucien H. Lefevre of Enfield (Army); Conley F. Monk, Jr. of Hamden (Marine Corps); Donna A. Monteleone of Sandy Hook (Army); Lesbia I. Nieves of Manchester (Army); William F. O’Brien, Jr. of Stratford (Marine Corps); Stanley J. Prybylski of Southbury (Marine Corps) and posthumously; Scott W. Rosado of Bristol (Navy); William J. Stowell of Middlebury (Navy); and John W. White of Cheshire (Navy).