Telling our veterans' stories

The Stratford Veterans Museum's mission is to recognize those veterans from Stratford who have served our country honorably in war and in peace and to act as a repository for their stories. The museum is designed to accommodate school children to foster their appreciation of United States history and the sacrifices of those men and woman who made our country possible. The major goal for the museum is to make it a site for school field trips. If you are a veteran, who lives in/or has lived in Stratford, or the family of a Stratford veteran, and would like to share your story of service, or if you have items related to a Stratford veteran you would like to loan or donate, please email us.

Be sure to visit us on Facebook and like our page!

Our Regular Hours are:

Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Please call for appointment for other times at 203-583-4484.

Take a Self - Guided Tour of the Museum

The Stratford Veterans Museum is dedicated to telling the stories of the town’s men and women who have served their country through the Armed Forces. Part of the way that story will be told is through a series of displays in the museum, including a “core” exhibit that takes visitors from the Revolutionary War through today’s conflicts. These exhibits will give the visitor a history of the era as well as items that are centric to Stratford. This tour will be available to visitors supporting audio and visual materials by downloading Otocast from your app store.

Check Out Our Videos

Visit our YouTube page for interviews with our veterans as well as other audiovisual content. VISIT NOW

Take a Stratford Veterans Museum Drone Video Tour WATCH NOW

Thank You to Our Contributors

PATRICK LEONARD

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As an ongoing feature this space will include thank yous to, and information on, those organizations that have contributed to the success of the Stratford Veterans Museum. This month we recognize Patrick Leonard of Stratford .

The Stratford Veterans Museum has a wonderful patio behind its facility that serves as a meeting place for school groups, an area to hold special outside events at, and as a companion piece to the building's mural, thanks to the efforts of Patrick Leonard with some heop from his son Jordan and several other volunteers.

Patrick designed the patio and gathered donations of materials by always saying “it’s for the veterans!” In addition to all the time he gave to this project, Patrick also donated four trees.

He and his wife Cai, have four children. He grew up in Stratford and is still a resident. Patrick works for Stratford Public Works and has his own business that keeps him busy seven days a week.

Jordan is a sophomore in high school and works just as hard as his father.
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OUR THANKS AGAIN TO PATRICK AND JORDAN LEONARD.

Please visit HERE for past honorees.

Now Welcoming School Trips

At the Stratford Veterans Museum, students will learn about their town’s history and the stories of Stratford veterans through a guided tour and interactive activities. LEARN MORE

Find us at 5952 Main St., Stratford, next to Putney Chapel.

We Need Volunteers

like you!

The Stratford Veterans Museum needs people like you as volunteers to help us in honoring our veterans and highlighting the contributions of Stratford Veterans to our town and country. Please complete this fillable form, save it then send it to us via email or if you prefer, print out the completed form and drop to us at the address above.

Learn more about the Stratford Veterans Museum by watching this video.

Open House in Honor of Patrick Leonard

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.for an open house at the musem in hoonr of Patrick Leonard (creator and builder on the museum's patio).. There will be live music and a pizza truck. LEARN MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Stratford Veterans Museum will be present at (or hosting) these upcoming events:

OCT. 7 SVM/SMC GOLF TOURNEY -- SHORT BEACH GOLF COURSE

OCT. 21 PUMPKIN FEST. -- BOOTH PARK

NOV. 11 VETERANS DAY PARADE, 10 AM

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS

Discover Stratford's Hidden Gems!

From aeronautical inventions, historic leaders and patriots, to the natural beauty of our shorelines, Stratford is a rare and special community. To learn more about Stratford's Hidden CLICK HERE.

VETERAN OF THE MONTH

September 2023

LEONARD CONNORS

Leonard T. Connors was born in Shelton on September 3, 1915 and his family moved to Stratford afterwards. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1933. During WW2, Leonard entered the Army Air Force and after training was assigned to the 785th Bomber Squadron, 446th Bomb Group, Heavy. He had attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and was a radial gunner on a B-24 Liberator. On the morning of July 28th they were assigned a strategic bombing mission and was loaded to full capacity. Upon takeoff the plane veered out of control and crashed killing Connors and the rest of the crew. In recognition of his service, Connors was received the Purple Heart Medal and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. LEARN MORE

Bunnell Football Players Score Volunteer Touchdown!

Six Bunnell High School football players, along with their coach Pat Conlogue, recently toured the Stratford Veterans Museum and helped out with moving some items out of the attic and other jobs while there. The players were: Captain Patrick Susezk, Captain Tommy Debernardo, Captain Brian Gonzalez, Senior Billy Neuygen, Senior Luke Ryan,and Sophomore Trent Raffalee.

Thanks to these great players for their help. SEE PICTURES

Fund-Raiser Golf Tournament

The Stratford Veterans Museum and the Stratford Senior Men’s Club will be hosting a nine hole

GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday, October 7, 2023

at the Short Beach 9 Hole Golf Course. Two Flights 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Cost is $75 Proceeds go to Veterans Museum and Senior Men’s Club. Need not be a Veteran.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

As part of the tournament you can also honor a veteran by making a pledge of $50 in his or her name. An honor roll with these honorees will be on display at the Stratford Veterans Museum.

DONATIONS WILL SUPPORT THE VETERANS MUSEUM AND THE SENIOR MEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Checks should be made out to SVM GOLF TOURNEY”

and sent to at 1432 MAIN ST STRATFORD, CT. 06615

Please include the name of the veteran you are honoring, their branch of service and rank, and your name.

The Ed Sulik Scholarship Fund

Sulik Ed photo 4x6 vietnam red.jpg Ed Sulik was a well known member of the Stratford Community distinguishing himself as an expert coach and through holding various titles on the staff of the Stratford Recreation Department. He was a man with a joyful personality, a wily sense of humor, and was always willing to lend a hand.

The Stratford Veteran Museum is joining in honoring this veteran, coach and outstanding man, with the creation of the
Edward Sulik Scholarship to be awarded to a deserving studnet at Bunnell High School.

Donations for this scholarship can be made via check to the "Ed Sulik Scholarship Fund" and mailed to 1432 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615.

Do You Know These Veterans

The Stratford Veterans Museum staff needs your assistance in identifying the veterans in the photos below (please click on the photo for a larger version) and in finding photos of the veteran's listed below (please click on listing for a larger version). Please share any info you may have with us at [email protected]