Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Members of the National Veteran’s Council for Legal Redress (NVCLR) gathered in front of the Vietnam War monument at Vietnam War Memorial Park Saturday afternoon to serve fellow New Haven veteran by handing out personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essentials.
NVCLR was awarded $10,000 from the Yale Community for New Haven Fund to supply hand sanitizer, reusable and disposable masks, gloves, and a $50 Stop & Shop gift card.
Using these supplies, Director Conley Monk and Executive Director Garry Monk put together 85 bags for veterans and their families.
Garry Monk and his brother Conley founded the NVCLR in 1982. Conley Monk helped design and was on the original committee that raised $250,000 to erect the granite V‑shaped Vietnam War monument in the late 1980s.
Conley Monk spoke about the organization’s efforts to support all veterans in the New Haven area in terms of providing essentials and trying to build housing for veterans.
The Monk brothers and the NVCLR began planning Saturday’s PPE free giveaway in late May.
They arrived to set up two tents and essential items bags at 11a.m. and start giving out PPE at 2 p.m.. By 2:15, they already had ten veterans come by for PPE bags.
“Inside of Covid-19, the opportunity to support New Haven residents was key,” Garry Monk said. “A lot of veterans don’t have the ability and the wherewithal to get the masks and also they’re short on money because of their jobs. It’s been a struggle so we’re making sure that they have what they need.”
Garry Monk with NVCLR member Darlene Houston.
Along with handing out PPE, NVCLR members answered questions and offered information about their organization and other organizations that support veterans. They encouraged veterans who stopped by to reach out if they need help obtaining masks or getting testing in the future.
“It’s really important because it’s a health thing. What you gotta understand is veterans have more questionable health than the rest of the population,” Monk said. He said it’s hard enough for many veterans to get the medical attention and healthcare they need without the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The idea is to also provide fellowship. People haven’t seen each other in a while,” he added.
Just at that moment, the Monks’ longtime family friend, Jay Reed, approached the table. “So here we are, like I said, with fellowship that we haven’t been able to do in so long and we’re making connections again,” Monk observed.
Jay Reed.
Reed, who is from New Haven, went into the Marines in 1968. Garry Monk has known Reed since he was 5.
Reed said Covid-19 has been hard for him and said he was thankful for the PPE giveaway.
Hill South Management Team’s Angela Hatley, who served in the military from 1976 to 1989, picked up a PPE bag on Saturday. Hatley’s two brothers are also veterans. She told one brother who lives across town to come to the event as well.
“There’s nothing targeted towards veterans that benefits them and masks are such a desperately needed item in our everyday life unfortunately now,” Hatley said.
Angela Hatley.
She said Covid-19 has impacted her both “some and none.” Hatley lost her mother at the beginning of March just as the pandemic struck Connecticut. “I’ve been living in a sort of alternate universe this whole time. And the fact that the world is topsy turvy, it fits my narrative because I feel like I’m living in bizarro world right now.”
Hatley, who is medically retired, said that Covid-19 has made affording rising prices for essentials difficult: “They know that you’re going to buy it no matter what. Take it or leave it is their attitude for the basics.”
Hatley said she is grateful for NVCLR’s assistance in getting masks and a Stop & Shop gift card. “You don’t ever hear the narrative starting off with veterans, so I’m just really happy and thankful.”
New Havener Marlon Graham didn’t know about the PPE giveaway, but decided to check it out when he saw the gathering at the Vietnam War memorial. Marlon served from 1986 to 1992. She said PPE distributions are important. “If Connecticut wants to stay with a low infection rate, we should give out PPE like this. We could easily be Texas, Louisiana, Florida, the list goes on.”
Marlon Graham.
“Right now Connecticut’s enjoying a low impact rate and that’s great, that’s great,” Marlon said.
Garry Monk and Houston with Conley Monk (far right), Olivia Monk Henderson (center right), and Alder Carmen Rodriguez (left).
Hill Alder Carmen Rodriguez helped NVCLR members greet New Haven veterans and hand out the PPE bags
“They’ve served our country and because of them we have the freedom that we have and so it’s important to support our veterans” she said.
Rodriguez said she was happy to see all that NVCLR is doing for the community. “Their coming out is for an awareness about resources and not only for today, but ongoing. They have a vision for great outcomes for our servicemen that are coming back.”