by Mia Palazzo CTNewsJunkie
HARTFORD, CT — The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales drew a crowd to the south lawn of the Connecticut State Capitol on Friday morning, where state and local leaders joined Hartford Distributors Inc. to highlight Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled US service members and first responders.
House Speaker Matt Ritter speaks during a news briefing for the Folds of Honor program at the State Capitol in Hartford on Sept. 5, 2025. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie
House Speaker Matt Ritter said the event was designed to raise awareness for the organization’s mission.
“The hope is between the coverage from having so many great legislators, Democrats and Republicans here today, media and press is the word we’ll get out about this wonderful charity and lead to more donations and more educational scholarships for these kids,” Ritter said.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who noted that she grew up on a farm, said she was struck by the size and beauty of the horses, but emphasized the importance of the scholarships they represent.
“I want to say thank you to Hartford distributors for all the folks that you employ for the great work that you’ve done over the past 80 years, and for bringing us these beautiful horses,” Bysiewicz said. “Everyone here is here to say thank you for the transformational scholarships for our young people.”
Andrew Ginsburg, general sales manager at Hartford Distributors, said Folds of Honor has provided scholarships to families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders, with more than $20,000 raised locally to support Connecticut families.
According to the Folds of Honor website, the nonprofit has awarded nearly 62,000 educational scholarships since its founding in 2007.
Marie McCrea, a Connecticut resident whose family benefited from the program after her husband, a former Army paratrooper and attorney, was forced to retire due to service-related injuries and later passed away.
“Folds of Honor is very special to me. It helped my children get their degrees and their dreams,” McCrea said. “All three of my children have worked hard to get to their dreams and their degrees … and that is why it’s an investment in the future. We’re investing in these kids so they can go out and they can also help.”
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam speaks about the Folds of Honor program at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT on Sept, 5, 2025. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said Folds of Honor ensures the families of fallen service members and first responders are not forgotten, thanking the organization for supporting those often left behind.
“It’s a reminder to me all the time that families so often get left behind,” Arulampalam said. “And so I just want to thank Folds of Honor for the work you’re doing.”
The Budweiser Clydesdales visit the Connecticut State Capitol on Sept. 5, 2025. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie
The event featured a full eight-horse Clydesdale hitch, pulling the signature red Budweiser wagon with the brand’s signature Dalmatian riding alongside the drivers. Members of the public were invited to view the horses while learning more about the scholarship program.