Regional Regional Area veterans saluted with induction into Hall of Fame

HARTFORD — Two North Central Connecticut notables — Maj. Gen. Thaddeus Martin (retired) of Suffield and David Paul McCaffrey U.S. Navy, of Somers — are among 12 notable veterans inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame on Jan. 19 at the State Armory.

Martin served for 13 years as adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard and had a crucial role in keeping the Bradley Air National Guard base in East Granby open after it was targeted for Base Realignment Closure in 2005.

McCaffrey, a lifelong resident of Somers, joined the military in 1982. He is a highly decorated senior chief petty officer who served more than 20 years on. active duty. in the Navy’s intelligence community during the Panama, Persian Gulf, Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations. He was also the Somers Citizen of the Year Award winner in 2022.

Those selected for the CT Veterans

Hall of Fame are veterans who have honorably served their country through military service, who continue to serve their communities, state and nation, and who inspire others to excellence through their deeds and accomplishments.

“Since 2005, the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame has formally recognized veterans in our state who, after discharging from military service, have distinguished themselves through a life of service at the local, regional and state levels as leaders in veterans’ organizations, in public service, and as volunteers and community advocates,” Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi said. “These men and women have enriched their communities through their commitment and application of their talents, to bettering the lives of others. Publicly recognizing and honoring these veterans each year is one of the highlights of serving as commissioner, as it is these honorees who embody the true meaning of service to our nation and to our communities.”

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz was also on hand for the induction ceremony.

“For nearly two decades the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame has recognized veterans, who sacrificed everything as they served their country and continue with a lifetime of service to their communities,” Bysiewicz said.

“While these brave men and women come from different backgrounds, they all share the same characteristics –courage, strength, pride, and selflessness. Congratulations to this year’s inductees. Thank you to the 2022 class for their bravery and their continued leadership and commitment to bettering our communities and state.”

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A fourth generation of A.F. Geissler’s family – the Rybicks — owns and operates the Geissler’s stores today.

According to President/CEO Robert Rybick, Geissler’s great grandson, Geissler use to collect grocery lists from the neighborhood and deliver the goods to each household because most Americans could not afford an automobile in the early 1920s and only a few had a phone.

Considering the home-delivery surge that started with the COVID crisis three years ago, Rybick recently told a trade magazine, “That level of service (was) in our DNA, and why we have always been adapting to serve customers in the way they want to access our products.”

According to Rybick, Great Grandfather Geissler “was always very progressive.” When the family patriarch proposed a 10,000-square-foot store in East Windsor, naysayers questioned: “Who would ever go to a

Geissler’s literal commitment to “local and fresh” goods, greatly contributes to the chain’s longevity.

“I know our farmers by name ... visit them ... and have done business with them for decades. That experience is truly local.”

A Geissler’s Market Centennial Celebration is in the works. “It is such a big milestone,” said Rybick.

“We have already begun some of the planning and are working with both our local partners and national manufacturers to plan unique experiences to our customers and employees.”