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Calls to Sex Assault Hotline Spiked During Kavanaugh Hearing

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Calls to a national hotline for victims of sexual assault surged Thursday, the day Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate, detailing allegations that she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network announced that the number of calls to its National Sexual Assault hotline surged by 201 percent Thursday, NBC News reported.

“We often see an uptick when sexual assault is in the news," RAINN spokeswoman Sara Mcgovern said in a statement. "For example, last weekend, from Friday to Sunday we saw a 57 percent increase compared to an average Friday to Sunday. Since Dr. Ford has come forward with her allegations, we have seen a 45.6 percent uptick compared to the same time period in 2017."



Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Norwich Businesses Continue Cleaning Up From Flooding

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Heavy rain pummeled Norwich Wednesday causing the Yantic River to flood and create a mess for some nearby businesses.

With more rain in the forecast Friday, they didn’t take any chances.

The owners of Colonial Carpet & Tile sandbagged and put plastic among the sides of the building. While they dogged a bullet Friday, it doesn’t erase the extensive damage they’re still cleaning up from Wednesday’s heavy rain. 

They’ve already filled a dumpster with everything that’s destroyed — and they’re still going.

“Got rid of obviously everything three feet or below in here because it’s full of water, mold and river. It’s pretty disgusting stuff,” said Bonnie McIntosh, president of Colonial Carpet & Tile about the bottom floor of her business.

She and her husband co-own the store and don’t have flood insurance. There was two and a half to three feet of water from the Yantic River inside Wednesday, according to McIntosh.

That’s when the Yantic River was swollen. Even the typically mellow Yantic Falls were ferociously fast.

In fact, the parking lot the McIntosh’s share with Domino’s looked like it could have been part of the river.

The rain Friday lead to even more flooding fears.

“This morning I was absolutely afraid. I went home I got my big pumps because the news was saying it was torrential and it was torrential this morning,” Domino’s owner Mark Massey said.

But he lucked out. No water on Friday and on Wednesday he only lost a battery backup, two monitors and some paper products.

Massey said he even made up for lost business that day, despite opening two and a half hours late.

“We dodged a bullet,” Massey said.

Back at Colonial Carpet & Tile, McIntosh said her husband wanted to clean the bottom floor. But this is not what he had in mind.

“So he’s getting his cleaning job now, I guess. Brand new floors and a lot of clean out,” McIntosh said.

Some good news, some of her manufacturers and distributors are saying they’ll help out with new floors, according to McIntosh.

She said the flood of 2010 was even more damaging.

One Person Seriously Injured in Bloomfield Crash

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One person is seriously injured after a crash in Bloomfield on Friday afternoon.

Officers said they are investigating a serious crash with injuries that happened on Blue Hills Avenue at Britton Drive shortly after 3:30 p.m.

An occupant of one of the vehicles was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, officials said. Police believe three occupants of the second vehicle left the scene before officers arrived.

Anyone with any information about the crash is asked to call Bloomfield Police at (860) 242-5501.

Flake Confronted in Elevator Ahead of Kavanaugh Vote

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Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher, two women who said they were survivors of sexual assault, confronted Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) Friday ahead of the Senate judiciary committee's vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Southington Police, School District Investigate Allegations of Bullying on School Bus

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Bullied on the school bus. A sixth grade student in Southington and her parents tell NBC Connecticut the ride to and from school is not safe.

Southington Police tell NBC Connecticut they’ve launched an investigation. The parents say they’re so fed up that they went to the authorities after calling the principal here. The little girl says this classmate has been harassing her for years and she’s afraid.

“It makes me feel scared to be on the bus," the child told NBC Connecticut.

To and from DePaolo Middle School, "hitting and punching on the bus.”

This 11-year-old girl whose identity we’re protecting says she’s being bullied by a female classmate. 

"At first I was shocked she brought it to violence. And I’m not really happy about it,” she said.

“I was talking to my friend and she hit me twice. After my friend got off, she punched me in the face,” the 11-year-old said about what was captured in a cell phone video that was filmed by her older brother on Thursday.

Not one, but two punches appear to be thrown from across the aisle. The principal called the mother late Friday morning.

"They found she actually hit her more than just the two times we had caught on camera, so she actually hit her again and they do have footage of that," the child's mother, Cindy, told NBC Connecticut.

“The girl has been bullying me since elementary school. At first it was just her being rude and calling me names and now it’s gotten worse, to violence,” the child said.

Her parents are equally as upset.

"Countless times she came home crying. We want something done. They talk about zero tolerance for bullying."

“My daughter has been assaulted,” said Matt, the child's father.

The girl’s mother says the punching has happened at least 20 times this school year. She says she sent two of her other children to get video evidence on the school bus yesterday.

"She had a red mark on her cheek. Probably an inch and a half by an inch and a half. And other cheek by her cheekbone & her nose was red I have pictures,” the child's mom said.

The child’s parents tell NBC Connecticut that they called their daughter’s elementary school at least four times over the years and it would be handled before starting up again. Cindy says she called the middle school principal for the first time yesterday.

The child's mom said she never called the Superintendent's Office even though it's been going on for years. “It didn’t seem physical and girls can fight so it wasn’t as serious, even though my daughter is crying all the time, I thought it would stop," she said.

The parent contacted the principal late Thursday afternoon. He began to review the situation immediately and continued that review this morning. The principal fully investigated the claims and administered the appropriate consequences based on the findings. "The SPS do not tolerate bullying or other inappropriate physical acts by one student toward another.” said Superintendent of Schools Tim Connellan.

The girl says she spoke to her principal on Friday.

"He said this is very serious and he’s going to separate us and if anything happens again he wants me to tell him," she said.

An adult at the home of the child in question told me they have no comment. The police say their investigation should wrap up next week. It’s unclear right now police say whether there could be charges.

Norwalk Man Arrested After Following Stranger in Newtown: Police

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Newtown Police have arrested a man from Norwalk on an outstanding warrant on Friday. Police said 20-year-old Francesco Gurnari turned himself in after learning of his outstanding warrant. He was arrested and charged with stalking and breach of peace.

According to officers, the charges stem from an earlier incident where he followed a female in his vehicle and on foot to several businesses in town and continued to follow her to her home. Gurnari did not know the woman he was following.

Officers said the woman called police when she feared for her safety and provided police with Gurnari's description and the vehicle he was driving.

Gurnari admitted to officers that he had been following the woman and said he had followed other women in the past.

He was released on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Court on October 10.

Police said Gurnari was also arrested by Monroe Police on September 14 after an incident where they said he exposed himself and touched himself in front of a woman who was pumping gas at a local gas station. Charges from Monroe Police Department are still pending in Bridgeport Superior Court.



Photo Credit: Newtown Police

Football Players, Fans in Wallingford Raise Money for Teenager Battling Cancer

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Friday's Game of the Week took us to Wallingford for Sheehan High versus Fairfield Prep.

And for Sheehan, Friday was much bigger than just coming away with a win.

The team and the fans came together to raise money for 13-year-old Cole Geib, a fan who is battling cancer.

"It's just amazing for him to have that kind of support and make it through that battle every day...This community has been fantastic, I don't know what else to say," Cole's dad, Stephen Guy said.

If you want to donate, you can send checks to the Cole Geib Benefit Fund, POB 4595, Yalesville, CT 06492.



Photo Credit: Family Photo

Family, Friends of Missing Boater Search for Answers

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For Michelle McKenna, she's spent every day wondering what happened to her daughter, Sofia.

"She's presumed dead. She probably is, but there's that small percentage that she could be alive," McKenna said.

Her daughter, 21-year-old Sofia disappeared in the Long Island Sound on Memorial Day after taking a boat out on the water late at night with her friend, Spencer Mugford.

Mugford's body was found more than a week later, but what happened to the two of them and where Sofia is remains a mystery.

On Saturday, Michelle and loved ones she calls "Sofia's Army" will return to that spot to search.

"That's how I pray. And I pray to God and God will never ever leave a soul behind. Somehow we will find her," said Bernadette Eber, a family friend of the McKenna's.

Sofia lived with Eber who says she'll be out searching this weekend.

"I don't care what the police say or their view on what happened. They don't have a crystal ball," Eber said.

At four months since she was last seen, the light of hope that Sofia could possibly be found alive has begun to dim for many who know her, but one of her closest friends says that won't stop her from searching for Sofia and closure.

"She always had my back and that's Why I feel like I can't give up on her either," said Destany Gillespie, a friend of Sofia's.

On Friday, Sofia's mother will sleep another night without her oldest child, but she hopes on Saturday, the day may end a little different.

"I just, I"m praying for a miracle, you know. I still can, you know," McKenna said.


I-84 Westbound Lane Opening Delayed Because of Weather: DOT

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The scheduled midnight opening on Friday of the third westbound lane on I-84 in Waterbury has been delayed, according to the Department of Transportation.

The ride on the eastbound side has been smoother since a third lane opened for travel earlier this month, but commuters will have to wait a little bit longer for the orange cones to come off the westbound side between Austin Road and Washington Street.

A DOT spokesperson told NBC Connecticut the reason for the delay is the weather, adding the lane will be ready by the Monday morning commute at the latest.

In August, Governor Malloy announced the $330 million widening project was nearing completion, one year head of schedule.

The years of construction have caused headaches and delays for drivers.

“A nightmare,” said Sarah Pelletier of Waterbury. “It makes you want to avoid this whole side of town.”

Annabell Valencia said she cannot avoid that stretch of highway during the driver to her job in Wallingford.

“It’s been pretty bad,” she said. “I mean I’m always late for work.”

Valencia told NBC Connecticut she is looking forward for three lanes to be moving on I-84 in both directions.

“The sooner the better,” she said, “for sure, it’s definitely going to cut some time off in that commute.”

The DOT plans to give its next update on the lane opening around 6 a.m. Saturday.



Photo Credit: Connecticut Department of Transportation

Hartford Police Work to ID Man Who Crashed Into Cruiser During Pursuit

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Hartford Police are trying to identify the driver of a vehicle who crashed into a police cruiser and another vehicle during a pursuit on Saturday.

Officers from the Street Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance on Bedford Street after gathering recent information. The officers said they saw 18-year-old Ajay Gunn, of Hartford, who was shot at a house on Bedford Street in May.

The officers said they had reason to believe Gunn was in possession of an illegal gun that may be used for a retaliation shooting.

Police said Gunn entered a tan 2001 Nissan Altima that was being driven by an unknown man. The vehicle began to travel south on Bedford Street at a slow speed without the headlights on, as if they were attempting to remain undetected. Officers found the actions extremely suspicious and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop.

The operator of the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Sigourney Street and Albany Avenue. As the officers began to exit their cruiser, they said the driver of the Nissan Altima recklessly shifted into reverse and accelerated towards the officers before hitting the front of their cruiser. The vehicle then fled west on Albany Avenue, north onto Edgewood Street and east onto Greenfield Street. Police said the vehicle then collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Greenfield Street and Vine Street.

All of the people involved in the accident were transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was able to escape. Gunn was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

Gunn is facing charges including possession of a controlled substance and interfering with police.

Officers are still looking for the driver of the Altima. He is described as a man who is 5'10" and weighs approximately 175 pounds. He was believed to be wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Invasive Species Are Killing Trees in Connecticut

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One of the best parts of fall in New England is when the leaves turn those beautiful colors, but some of Connecticut's trees have taken a hit over the past couple of years and have either already been removed or are quickly dying off.

The eastern part of the state has been suffering from gypsy moths the past three years and a separate infestation of Emerald Ash Borers that started in western Connecticut in 2012, is spreading across the entire state and will soon infect the entire Ash tree population.

"We've been dealing with three years of drought and three years of a major gypsy moth outbreak, which has put tremendous stress on a lot of trees in that part of the state," said Connecticut State Entomologist Dr. Kirby Stafford.

According to Dr. Stafford, eastern Connecticut lost 1,175,000 acres of Oak trees defoliated by gypsy moths. It's the largest out break we've seen since the 1970s and the three years of drought in 2015, 2016 and 2017 are to blame.

"There is a fungus that generally will keep the gypsy moths under control. Once they start building up population, this fungus infects the caterpillars and kills them," Dr. Stafford said.

Without rain, the fungus cannot thrive and eliminate caterpillars before they develop into gypsy moths.

And while the numbers are staggering, gypsy moth invasions are only part of the story. Emerald Ash Borers were first detected in Prospect in 2012. As of 2018, 129 towns have lost their Ash tree population.

Without doubt, Emerald Ash Borers will continue to spread and infect Ash trees across the entire state. This invasive species is spread by humans, typically through fire wood. And now it's up to residents to monitor their trees health, and have them removed if they fall ill.

"Some of the things we would look for would be the tree being attacked by wood peckers. That's the larvae that's in there that's feeding. Then after those what happens is you get exit holes and you get what's called blonding on the trunk," said Rich Sala, an Arborist Representative with Bartlett Tree Experts.

Another way to spot the signs of a dying tree is to look up.

"So if you saw a tree that had say full canopy or 80% canopy with some feeding going on up in the canopy then the tree could potentially be treatable," he said.

If a tree is this severely damaged, there is no option but to remove it. But if detected early enough, some trees can be treated through the trunk, an option that is much less expensive than tree removal.

The time to act is now. Soon enough we'll be forecasting winter weather and trees that have been infected by invasive species pose a much larger threat when you add in the weight of snow and ice.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Florence Worsened Housing Crisis in NC Town, Residents Say

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Nearly two weeks ago, when Hurricane Florence pummeled the Carolinas, the storm destroyed the trailer Army veteran Paganda Howard lived in with her husband and two daughters. Now she's like many others in this historic colonial town, forced to live with family in cramped and outright hazardous conditions, NBC News reported.

Howard is currently staying at her sister's home, where a tree slumps against the roof and walls are warped by water damage. The family of four has joined her sister and six nephews, crowding into the modest three-bedroom home where clothing sits in wet piles and mold appears to coat the bathtub and vents.

Many families are forced to live in unsanitary or unsafe conditions because they have no other choice right now. But Howard said finding adequate housing in New Bern has always been a challenge — the storm only served to show how dire circumstances have become for some.

About a third of households in Craven County, where New Bern is the county seat, are considered cost-burdened by the North Carolina Housing Coalition. This means more than 30 percent of a family’s budget is committed to rent and utilities, and that’s because the average rent of a modest two-bedroom apartment in Craven County is nearly 20 percent higher than what the average renter here can afford, according to 2016 data collected by the coalition.



Photo Credit: AP

Mock Mass Casualty Drill Held at Bradley International Airport

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Several emergency response agencies participated in a mock emergency drill at Bradley International Airport on Saturday morning, simulating a plane crash and running through a variety of drills where seconds matter.

”That timing , the muscle memory to go out there and train without really having to think and get to people and get them safe,” explained James Campbell, the Director of Public Safety at the Connecticut Airport Authority.

The “mass casualty” exercise involved more than 25 mutual aid agencies at the local, state and federal level and about 100 actors. The Federal Aviation Administration requires the drill every three years.

 

”We brought this mobile trainer in from West Virginia,” said Fire Chief John Duffy of the Bradley International Airport Fire Department. “It’s propane-fired, so we’re training as many firefighters. So far, we’ve put over 100 firefighters, you know 30 of our own and at least 70 of the surrounding communities.”

”We want to know who we’re working with,” said Campbell. “We want to develop relationships because it’s very important to our travelers to keep them safe and secure.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Armed Men Carjacked Newspaper Delivery Man in Glastonbury: Police

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Glastonbury Police are investigating after armed men carjacked a newspaper delivery man early Saturday morning.

Police said they received a report of an armed carjacking at 1 Glastonbury Place shortly after 4 a.m.

A newspaper delivery man told officers that he was robbed at the apartment complex by two men with handguns. He said the men then stole his vehicle.

The Glastonbury Police Department Investigations Unit is currently following up on leads in the case.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or if you have information, you're asked to contact Officer Peter Brander at (860) 633-8301.

Evicted Woman Set Fire to Former Home in Waterbury: PD

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Waterbury Police have arrested a woman for arson after they said she set fire to her former home on Thursday after she was evicted.

According to police, 35-year-old Nicole Abrom lived on the first floor of 6 Grove Court up until she was evicted last week.

Firefighters were called to the multi-family home shortly around 7 a.m. after a police officer who was driving by saw flames coming out of the building. The officer alerted the rest of the fire department and helped get people out. Four adults who were home when the fire started were able to escape safely.

Tenants said that Abrom had lived in the building, but had yelled she was going to burn it down after she was evicted earlier in the week. According to a witness, Abrom was very upset about being kicked out of her apartment and the Department of Children and Families had also taken her children away from her.

Abrom was found in Middletown on Thursday. Investigators said she told them she had smoked crack cocaine that morning in the apartment then said she may have accidentally dropped a lit cigarette.

A police K9 found suspected accelerants on the home's first floor and on Abrom's sneaker.

Court records show Abrom was also evicted from an apartment on Buckingham Street in 2016 after she failed to pay rent. Abrom claimed the landlord would not accept her payments and said he did not install a new oven in her home.

Abrom is facing charges including arson and reckless endangerment. She was held on $150,000 bond and is due in Waterbury Superior Court in October.

The American Red Cross was called in to help assist displaced residents.



Photo Credit: Waterbury Police

Man Assaulted After Parking Space Dispute in Hartford: Police

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A man was assaulted in Hartford after a dispute over a parking space on Saturday night.

Officers were called to Henry Street around 11:45 p.m. after getting a report of a group disturbance in a driveway.

When they arrived, police found a man suffering from lacerations to his neck, chest and left arm. Ambulance personnel responded to the scene and provided medical attention to the man. Officials classified his wounds as superficial and non-life threatening.

Investigators later learned that there was a dispute over a parking space in the driveway of a residence on Henry Street, which prompted 36-year-old Hector Delgado to assault the man.

Officers located Delgado at the scene.

Delgado is facing charges including assault, carrying a dangerous weapon and breach of peace.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Meriden Police Search for Missing Man in Hubbard Park

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Meriden Police were searching for a missing man in Hubbard Park on Sunday morning.

Officers said they got a call around 9 p.m. on Saturday reporting an adult man missing.

According to police, the man was last seen in the area of Hubbard Park around 9 p.m. The identity of the man they are searching for has not been released, but officials said the missing man's brother is part of the search.

Local police was assisted by Connecticut State Police and a K9 officer as well as Trooper One.

The search ended early Sunday morning, but is expected to resume later in the day, police said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Kellyanne Conway: 'I'm a Victim of Sexual Assault'

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Kellyanne Conway, an adviser to President Donald Trump, said during a conversation about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Sunday that she had been the victim of sexual assault, NBC News reported

“I feel very empathetic, frankly, for victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment and rape,” Conway said on CNN’s “State of the Union" before clearing her throat and adding, "I’m a victim of sexual assault.”

Conway, in an intense and emotional conversation with Jake Tapper, agreed that all victims need to be heard. But she expressed frustration that all sexual assault allegations get lumped together, condemning comparisons of Kavanaugh to people like Bill Cosby and Bill Clinton. She said that “raw partisan politics" led to the situation for Kavanaugh, who is facing one allegation of sexual assault and three allegations of sexual misconduct.

And when asked how her own experience affects her work for a president who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by some 19 women, Conway said, "Don’t conflate that with this. And certainly don’t conflate it with what happened to me. It would be a huge mistake. Let’s not always bring Trump into everything that happens in this universe.”



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
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Believe 208 5K Supports Mental Health of First Responders

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Hundreds of runners lined up for the 5th annual Believe 208 5K in East Hartford on Sunday.

“We do this in memory of my late husband who sadly passed away by suicide and we want to find a way to honor and remember him and sadly others we’ve lost,” said Trish Buchanan, the founder of Believe 208.

Believe 208 was started by Buchanan after her husband, Paul Buchanan, an East Hartford police officer, took his life in 2013. The number 208 was on Buchanan's badge.

"It’s hard. There are still days that it really does impact you. And we do our best and I truly believe we can take this tragedy and turn it into something good," she said.

The funds raised go to peer support programs and treatment to help care for first responders, including work with CABLE: The Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement.

"It provides training of the mind, fitness and resilience for law enforcement," said Kathy Flaherty, who is on the Board of Directors for CABLE.

"They’re truly only human under that badge and it isn’t a sign of weakness or anything like that," Buchanan added.

"Mental wellness is something we forget for all first responders. You have a horrific job and get damaged every day and we don't even notice," added East Hartford Police Chief Scott Sansom. 

Running this year for badge number 576 was a group of officers from Danbury.

"We all came out to Believe 208 race in support of him and all the officers in the state who have taken their own lives," said Sgt. Ethan Mable.

Suicide claimed the life of Danbury Sgt. Drew Carlson in September of 2017.

"It was shocking to all of us and as a supervisor, you’re always trying to look out for others. We all try to look out for each other and unfortunately, none of us really saw any signs with Drew. And we all wished there was something we could have done,” Sgt. Mable said.

NBC Connecticut's Heidi Voight emceed the race in memory of our first responders, like Paul and all of the others.

"He [Paul] served the community truly with his heart and soul for 24 years and sadly, really took the job to heart and struggled with depression and anxiety and tried to get help. The right type of help wasn't out there so that's another reason why we're doing this for awareness. They need to know they're not alone," Buchanan said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Ceremony Honors Late Air Force Sergeant From Windsor Locks

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An Air Force sergeant from Windsor Locks who was credited with saving the lives of service members on a mountain in Afghanistan in 2002 is being honored during a ceremony on Sunday.

Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman are participating in a ceremony honoring U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman in his hometown of Windsor Locks.

Sunday's ceremony is an opportunity for Sergeant Chapman's friends and family, as well as veterans groups and state and local officials to honor his service and acknowledge his national recognition.

Sergeant Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Trump at a ceremony at the White House last month.

Chapman's helicopter came under heavy fire and crash-landed in a valley in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002. Chapman and other team members returned to the snow-capped mountain to rescue a stranded service member.

The White House said Chapman "charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions," seized a bunker and killed its occupants. He was severely wounded in an ensuing firefight but continued to fight until he was killed.

Chapman, who joined the Air Force in 1985, was 36 years old when he died.



Photo Credit: Submitted
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