State Department Officers

Marty Cantrell – Department Commander – Chapter 53 Danielson

Commander Cantrell retired from Marine Corps Aviation after 20 years of active service. He currently lives in Ashford, Connecticut with his wife of 18 years, two kids Jack (14) and Samantha (9) and works full time in East Hartford, CT. He became committed to helping veterans after observing the challenges his father, a Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran and Bronze Star recipient, faced prior to gaining service connection. Commander Cantrell would like to encourage all veterans to reach out to our Connecticut DAV Chapters or our State Office for our assistance in advocating for your benefits. Semper Fi!

Eunice Ramirez – Department Senior Vice Commander

Eunice was a US Army Combat Medic, having served with the 118^th Area Support Medical Battalion out of Newington CT. While stateside she worked for the 3 law enforcement agencies FBI, DEA, US Customs, in the state working as a linguist specialist for the counter narcotics teams.

Deploying to Balad, Iraq as a combat medic she was part of the Troop Medical Clinic and Combat Support Hospital’s treating teams for the incoming casualties from Baghdad and Tikrit. She has worked with the veteran population stateside as a constituent services caseworker for US Congressman James Himes and later US Senator Richard Blumenthal until 2019.

She is a Life member of the DAV and is a CSO volunteer at DAV HQ in Meriden continuing to assist veterans with claims.

Mark Dauphinais – Department 1st Junior Vice Commander – Chapter 53 Danielson

Mark Dauphinais served 14 years with the United States Army in Combat Arms. He currently lives in Brooklyn, Connecticut with his wife of 24 years Jennifer. Mark began searching veterans agencies upon his hometown return in 2018. DAV was his 1st Choice. Mark is also a member of the American Legion. His commitment to the DAV became his priority once he observed how much Vietnam/Korean/Gulf Veterans were struggling to obtain benefits. Mark is looking forward to learning as much as possible with the DAV in order to continue serving veterans.

Dennis DiLulio – Department 2nd Jr. Vice Commander – Chapter 13 Stamford

Lenny Esposito_ – Department 3rd Junior Vice Commander – Chapter 25 Danbury

Lenny Esposito is the Commander of Chapter 25 – Lee Hartell in Danbury, CT. He currently resides in South Salem, NY with his wife Elaina of 26 years and his daughter Angelica. Lenny is a graduate of the Empire State Military Academy and served in the Army, Army Reserves, and NY Army National Guard. Lenny retired as an infantry Major after 25 years of service. He also worked in the NY City Police Department (NYPD) as a First Grade Detective retiring after 32 years of service. Lenny’s goals are to continue to raise funds for those veterans who need us most by ensuring DAV Chapter 25 remains financially solvent. It is vitally important to Lenny to ensure Chapter 25 is a safe haven for all current and future veterans, to ensure they may have a place to gather with their brother and sister compatriots as well as the community members that support them.

Brian Hague – Department 4th Junior Vice Commander -Chapter 10 Norwich

Brian Hague grew up in Montville, Connecticut and joined the United States Army in 1998. Brian spent 16 yrs serving all over the world at locations including South Korea and Iraq. As a result of injury, Brian was medically discharge in 2014. Desiring something to focus on in his life he joined the DAV and makes it his mission in life to help fellow Veterans. Brian is currently serving as Commander of Chapter 10 DAV in Norwich.