Sen. Hwang Congratulates Sandy Hook Vet Hall of Famer

January 15, 2025

Sen. Hwang Congratulates Sandy Hook Vet Hall of Famer - CT Senate Republic

Sen. Tony Hwang today issued the following statement regarding Sandy Hook resident Donna Monteleone being among the 14 veterans that have been selected as part of the 20th class of honorees for induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, 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.

“I join state officials in congratulating Donna Monteleone and all the honorees. Donna Monteleone has dedicated her life to serving her country in the U.S. Army and to our community. We are grateful for those many years of service.”

(From the governor’s press release announcement)

Donna Monteleone graduated from New York Polytechnic Institute in 1978 and was in the second class where women were commissioned through ROTC. She served on active duty in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1978 to 1983. She served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and worked with the White House Communication Agency during President Carter’s visit in 1979.

At Fort Hunter Liggett, California, Ms. Monteleone served as executive officer and was the sole female officer on a joint U.S. Army and Marine Corps Project featuring then-state-of-the-art vehicle mounted TV cameras, lasers, and audio equipment to conduct “war games.”

Ms. Monteleone attended Signal Officer Basic Course and Signal Officer Advanced Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia and Telecommunications Staff Officer College (Joint Branches) at Keesler Air Force Base. During both assignments, she served as International Military Liaison with allied officers from Africa and Middle East.

In 1983, she was hired by Exxon Corporation as senior telecommunications engineer and was assigned as a purchasing agent for telecommunications and computer needs. In 1990, she was hired by Witco Corporation to oversee the purchase of raw materials to make intermediate products. In 1993, she was offered a promotion to senior purchasing manager at Unilever Corporation in New York, when she met her future husband, Neil P. Randle.

After marrying, they accepted assignments with Unilever in Mexico and the Czech Republic. She was involved in both countries with the U.S. Consul Office as a liaison and advocate for newly arriving Americans.

In 2005, her family moved back to the U.S. and put down roots in the Sandy Hook neighborhood of Newtown, Connecticut.

Ms. Monteleone is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Western Military Officers Association. She has been chairing “Valentines for Troops” for 19 years, which partners with local organizations and schools to create and send cards and care packages to active-duty military members. She is a fervent advocate for veterans in her community who may not be connected to local, federal, or state services. Likewise, she is impassioned about raising awareness on issues affecting female veterans, and has participated in meetings with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.