The new Veteran’s Resource Center is located at Stamford Old Town Hall - 175 Atlantic Street. It is a place for veterans and their families to be empowered, directed, and connected to available resources and services.
The hours of the center are from 1000am – 1:00pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays
If you have any questions, please call 203-274-7713 or email VeteransresourceCenter@StamfordCT.gov
Free Blood Pressure Screening for Veterans - the first Thursday of each month from 10:00am-11:30am. You will receive blood pressure screening, pre-diabetes screening, height and weight measurement, information about community resources, and so much more. Services are completely free and confidential. No appointment necessary. No proof of insurance required.
Michael “Buddy” Vaccaro
World War II - 1944 through 1946, Buddy served as Aviation Store Keeper 2nd Class. His job was to ensure that the big planes and their pilots had the parts and supplies needed as they flew bombing missions and submarine searches. From Rhode Island to Jacksonville, Florida to Groton, Connecticut, Buddy moved when the bases moved. Buddy was married on Washington’s birthday (2/22/49) and had three sons. He worked for Marle for nearly sixty years.
At 96 years old, Buddy has a memory that is still razor-sharp. His charm, humor and wit are delightful. “I’m going to purgatory where all my friends are,” says Buddy. “I don’t think I’ll go to hell but I don’t think I’ll get in to heaven either.”
Michael D. Macri
Michael Macri served in the Naval Seebees (better known as the Mobile Construction Force) Mobile Construction Battalion Z out of Long Beach, California during the Korean War – 1950 – 1955. Stationed for one year on Adak, the southernmost city in the Aleutian Islands located in Alaska (before is became our 49th state). They battled winds as high as 75mph to build a 75ft tall antenna to enable broadcasting Voice of America into Siberia. His battalion also rebuilt the pier at Midway to supply the US and South Korean military.
He married with two children. He was a carpenter, built his own Heating/AC business, became a Building Inspector and then the Official City of Stamford Inspector.
Richard “Cookie” Thomas
Cookie served two tours-of-duty in Vietnam as a SeeBee and heavy equipment operator. He was stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1965 as they rebuilt the old naval base before being shipped to Camp Campbell in Phu Bai, Vietnam – just seven miles south of the DMZ. He was in Vietnam for the Tet Offensive. Stationed in Morocco for his last year of service, it served as a transition period for which he is very grateful.
After the war, Cookie had friends in Stamford and with a leap of faith, he moved with the intention to start a new chapter. Married with four children, Cookie worked at Pitney Bowes for 35 years. Today, you can find Cookie singing at clubs and events as well as vocal coaching out of his home. Singing is healing for Cookie.