Manchester Resident Chosen For Connecticut Vets Hall Of Fame

MANCHESTER, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont Tuesday announced that 14 veterans — including a vet from Manchester — have been selected as part of the 20th class of honorees for induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.

The hall is the state's official tribute recognizing former members of the United States Armed Forces who are from Connecticut and have continued making significant impacts in their communities after leaving military service. This year's class will be honored during an induction ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in the Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium on the campus of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill.

"There are so many veterans from Connecticut who have continued their generosity even after leaving military service by volunteering in their communities and providing leadership that has helped improve the lives of others in many ways," Lamont said. "The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is a way we can celebrate the many veterans in our state who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have truly made a lasting impact. I congratulate the 14 veterans who are being inducted this year and I thank each of them to everything they have provided to our nation and the State of Connecticut."

The Manchester inductee is:

Lesbia I. Nieves of Manchester (United States Army)

BG (CT, Ret.) Lesbia Nieves was a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard for 36 years (1987-2023). During her years as a commissioned officer, she held various leadership positions, including company commander, recruiting and retention operations and training officer, battalion executive officer, battalion Commander, surface maintenance director, and state safety officer. She also served as the state partnership program director. Ms. Nieves completed a tour at the National Guard Bureau International Affairs Division, and completed her career as the brigade command for the 85th Troop Command in Niantic, Connecticut. She is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (2004-2005).

Ms. Nieves holds a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees in counseling and public administration. She has completed numerous military education programs, including the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation and the Command and General Staff College.
She was employed by the State of Connecticut for 29 years, including as a social work supervisor with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families from 1995 to 2018, and as director of residential programs and services with the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs from 2018 until her retirement in 2024.

She is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and is a current member of the Elks. She serves on the Veterans Advisory Committee in Manchester and is a past president of Hispanic American Veterans of Connecticut. She was co-president of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc. from 2009 to 2024. She was a Congressional Gold Medal Committee Member of the 65th Infantry Regiment from 2012 to 2016 (Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance). She is past member of Connecticut Community Veterans Engagement Board, South Park Inn, and Brave Minds, which serves veterans impacted by PTSD and TBI.

She is married to Edward Nieves, and together they have three children and two grandchildren. They reside in Manchester.

"No words could ever express the deep gratitude we have for the sacrifices and contributions our veterans have made on the battlefield, at home, and around the world," Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. "Not only have our inductees stood up when their nation called and did what needed to be done to protect our families, our nation, and our way of life. But, following their military service, they further demonstrated their commitment to their communities through their volunteer activities and activism. Congratulations to our inductees. We extend our sincere appreciation for your service to our country, for your commitment to your community, and for all your contributions to the State of Connecticut."

Added Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald P. Welch, "On behalf of our dedicated staff of professionals at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, we congratulate the fourteen of you on your honorable service and lifelong accomplishments. You effected a profound impact during your military service, and then pledged unwavering service and volunteerism to our Connecticut communities, including compassionate support and advocacy to our service members, veterans, and families in our great state and beyond. With heartfelt gratitude, we salute you and your lasting contributions. In celebration, we welcome you into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame."

Administered and sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and the Connecticut Military Department on behalf of the Office of the Governor, the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 2005 and inducts a new class annually. With the addition of this year’s class, there will now be 215 honorees inducted.

The focus of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is on veterans’ service to their communities after they have left military service. Many of the honorees are veterans who have been leaders in a variety of areas, such as the arts, education, public service, volunteer organizations, and community and business leadership.

The honorees are nominated throughout the year by members of the public, and then a committee – consisting of the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, members of the legislature’s Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, and a group of veterans from the state – reviews the nominations and selects inductees.

To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces. The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or national level and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large.