HARTFORD — An Orange man who served in Iraq and now is clerk of the Legislature’s Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will receive National Guard Association of Connecticut’s Meritorious Service Award Saturday. Paul Tarbox, a lifelong resident of Orange, served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II with the 118th Medical Batallion as a communications sergeant from February 2004 to February 2005. He served in the Connecticut National Guard for 10 years from January 1999 to January 2009, leaving with the rank of sergeant, and was awarded medals and decorations for campaigns, service and merit, a prepared statement says. Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs co-chairmen Sen. Andrew Maynard, D-Stonington, and Rep. Ted Graziani, D-Ellington, commended Tarbox for receiving the award.
"Paul is dedicated to his work and is a committed and active member of our veterans’ community," Maynard said. "I’m so pleased that the National Guard Association has decided to recognize his tremendous efforts and all the work that does on behalf of our military personnel and families. I’m very proud of his accomplishments and I know that, in the future, Paul will continue to be a strong voice for Connecticut’s veterans." "I am humbled and honored by this award," Tarbox said in the statement. "It’s a privilege to serve the men and women of the Connecticut National Guard and all of Connecticut’s 300,000 veterans everyday, and I promise to remain committed to doing everything that I can to support legislation that benefits our veterans." Tarbox, who has served as an Orange town constable, is a member of several veterans’ groups, including the American Legion, the VFW and the Association of the United States Army.
"I can’t think of a more deserving person than Paul Tarbox," said Graziani. "Whatever his task, he always gives 110 percent. Paul as a strong sense of dedication for all veterans, and his service on the committee is like a partnership between the legislature and those currently serving and those who have served in our Armed Forces."