Sen. Linares, State Officials Honor Deep River Veteran

Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Member PW Louthain, and Sen. Art Linares.

U.S. Navy veteran PW Louthain of Deep River was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015 during a Nov. 30 ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to recognize the continued contributions of Connecticut veterans to their cities and towns. This year, 11 veterans joined the 104 veterans who are currently in the Hall of Fame.

State officials, including State Sen. Art Linares, were on hand to congratulate Louthain and thank him for his service to his country and to his community.

Louthain served in the Navy for 20 years as a Senior Chief Machinist Mate and then worked for Electric Boat in Groton. While at EB, Louthain and a group of other U.S. submarine service veterans decided to sponsor and organize a Groton Sea Scout ship. A Sea Scout “ship” is the functional equivalent of a boy or girl scout troop. As a member of the Westbrook Elks Lodge 1784, Louthain has served as liaison to the Westbrook-based Sea Scout Ship Stars and Stripes 1784. The co-educational youth organization helps youth in the region to gain confidence and become good citizens.

“The inductees into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame have not only answered the call of their nation, they have answered the call of their communities,” Sen. Linares said. “It is what they have done beyond their military service that truly sets them apart as individuals worthy of this special honor. The example PW Louthain has set and his public service is most worthy of the respect and admiration of all Connecticut citizens. His volunteerism has inspired young future leaders in our region. I was honored to join him and congratulate him on this memorable day.”