New London — Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio on Tuesday announced that he has appointed Ryan Henowitz to be the volunteer liaison between City Hall and the city's veterans.

Henowitz served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2006, during which time he was stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, Finizio's office said in a statement. Henowitz has also worked with the New London Veterans Organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

He is filling a position that has been vacant since the last liaison left about six months ago.

“Advocating on behalf of veterans has always been a priority for me,” Henowitz said in a statement. “I understand firsthand the difficulties that our veterans face when they complete their military service and adjust to life as a civilian. This transition can be difficult, as it was for me, but by having an advocate for our veterans we can work together to make this transition as seamless as possible.”

Henowitz, who graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in political science, is also a political supporter of Finizio. In December, Henowitz donated $500 to Finizio's campaign for re-election, co-sponsored a fundraiser for Finizio's campaign last month and reported his occupation as legislative advocate for the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut union, which has endorsed Finizio's campaign and contributed at least $1,500 to it.

"It happens to be that he is a supporter, but I have also been very impressed with his veterans advocacy work. This is a very small city, when you have someone who is a city resident working as diligently as he is on veterans' issues and for veteran organizations, I didn’t want the fact that he supported me to be a notch against him in terms of doing this volunteer position," Finizio said. "I wouldn’t have appointed him for any reason other than that he is eminently qualified."

Henowitz can be reached at (860) 961-2600 or veterans@ci.new-London.ct.us.

c.young@theday.com

Twitter: @ColinAYoung