Commemorating the Battle of Midway and Your Upcoming Veterans Calendar
Eighty-four years ago this week, between June 4 and June 7, 1942, the United States Navy achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Midway. Striking down four enemy aircraft carriers, American sailors and aviators turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific. As we honor the profound courage and sacrifice of those who stood the line at Midway, the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin remains dedicated to serving those who served. In this Thursday Preview edition, we feature a diverse lineup of upcoming community gatherings, fundraisers, and vital resource programs across the state.
Our upcoming Saturday calendar highlights major charity events and historical tributes right here in Connecticut. Veterans and families can look forward to competitive community fun, including the ML Cattel Foundation’s 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament in Old Saybrook benefiting the DAV and local scholarships, and the 3rd Annual CT Car Show in South Glastonbury supporting Building Homes for Heroes. The calendar also honors our roots with the upcoming Nathan Hale Day ceremony at the State Capitol in Hartford, alongside moving local tributes like the Flags for Heroes display in Shelton and a dedicated Patriotic Flag Convoy in Plainfield to support a local veteran battling cancer.
In addition to fundraising and remembrance, this edition focuses heavily on camaraderie and direct veteran support. We highlight social traditions like the Wednesday Night Rides at Suffield VFW, Plainfield VFW’s Guest Bartending night, and the highly anticipated return of the New London Veterans Coffee House & Breakfast. Most importantly, we bring you critical resource opportunities, featuring on-site veterans benefits and healthcare assistance with Veteran Representative Ryan Landry at the Ledyard Annex. From summer steak nights to comedy fundraisers extending into the fall, this week’s publication ensures Connecticut veterans stay connected, supported, and informed.
In this week’s Thursday Preview, we spotlight the latest additions to our Veterans Calendar for the upcoming Saturday, 6 June 2026 Edition. These events and programs are thoughtfully curated to support and engage Connecticut’s veteran community.
For a complete list of events and more details, please refer to the full Connecticut Veterans Calendar in our upcoming publication or though our previous publication doesn’t include the events here, it has the all others.
Thursday 4 June 2026 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar at ctvetsbulletin.org on Saturday, 6 June 2026
Events are in order by date
ML Cattel Foundation 3RD Annual Cornhole Tournament
ML Cattel Foundation 3RD Annual Cornhole Tournament
JUNE 6TH, 2026 SIGN IN 11 AM
BAGS FLY 12 NOON
FREE ADMISSION!
You Don’t Have To Play! Come Support Our Charities And Join In The Raffles & Fun!
new Location!
American Legion 80 Essex RD Old Saybrook
*$50 PER TEAM
*DOUBLE ELIMINATION
CASH PRIZE FOR WINNERS
BEST TEAM SHIRTS
BEST TEAM NAME
- FOOD FOR SALE
- CASH BAR
- SILENT AUCTION
- TEACUP RAFFLE
- WINE TOSS
SIGN UP TO PLAY!
SCAN THE CODE TO VENMO YOUR $50 ENTRY FEE. MAKE SURE TO WRITE IN YOUR PLAYERS, TEAM NAME, AND CONTACT NUMBER
TO DONATE AN AUCTION ITEM OR BECOME A SPONSOR, CONTACT MARK: MARK@MLCATTELFOUNDATION.ORG
BENEFITTING THIS EVENT WILL THESE THREE CHARITIES
Keeping Our Promise To America’s Veterans
EMPOWERING WESTBROOK ATHLETES
Sponsored By:
ML Cattel Foundation (860) 983-8628
Location:American Legion Post 113
80 Essex Rd,
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Honoring Nathan Hale Day
Honoring Nathan Hale Day
Monday
June 8, 2026, 12PM
HONORING CONNECTICUT’S OFFICIAL HERO AT THE
CONNECTICUT STATE CAPITOL BUILDING.
JOIN US AS WE HONOR THE COURAGE, SACRIFICE AND PATRIOTISM OF NATHAN HALE.
“I ONLY REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR MY COUNTRY.”
NATHAN HALE
Hosted By:
American Legion Department of Connecticut (860) 436-9986
Location: Connecticut State Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave,
Hartford, CT 06106
Wednesday Night Rides At Suffield VFW
NEXT RECURRENCE 10 JUNE 2026
Wednesday Night Rides At Suffield VFW
Wednesday Nights Weather Permitting
Break up your week with a nice ride with friends. Destination Unknown. Weather permitting.
WEATHER PERMITTING) MEET AT: SUFFIELD VFW POST 9544
TIME: 5:30 PM (GATHER & HANG OUT) KICKSTANDS UP AT 6:00 PM SHARP!
DESTINATION: UNKNOWN! RIDE FOR AN HOUR. STOP FOR A COLD ONE AND HEAD BACK TO THE VFW BY 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Suffield VFW Post 9544 (860) 668-4922
Location: 972 Sheldon St, West Suffield, CT 06093
Friday Nights At The VFW 1st Guest Bartending Night
Friday Nights At The VFW 1st Guest Bartending Night
Friday
June 12, 2026
7:00PM
Back by Popular Demand for 2026!!!
Don’t Want to Miss It!!!!
All Are Welcome!!!!
Vs.
Root for your favorite Team!
All tips donated
Hosted By: Plainfield VFW Post 5446 – William L. Mercier Post (860) 564-5446
Location: 7 Winsor Ave, Plainfield, CT 06374
Flags For Heroes – Raise A Flag In Honor Of Your Hero
Flags For Heroes – Raise A Flag In Honor Of Your Hero
Saturday, June 13, 2026
11:00AM to 1:00PM
From May 24th through June 25th, 2026, over 300 flags with personalized medallions will be flown on the Derby Green and the Shelton Veterans Memorial Park.
We invite the community to join us for a moving ceremony as we come together to honor these heroes.
Shelton Veterans Memorial Park, Canal Street, Shelton CT
Hosted By: lucy Jardim Andrade & Rotary Club of Derby Shelton Inc
(203) 258-4519
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 38 Canal Street,
Shelton, CT 06484
VFW Post 10004 Date Night Steak Night
VFW Post 10004 Date Night Steak Night
JUNE 17TH
JULY 22ND
AUGUST 19TH
SERVING STARTS AT 7:00
You’ve been asking! Bring your better half! Live Music to be announced!
JOIN US FOR A DELICIOUS EVENING OF GREAT FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY.
DINNER INCLUDES:
- RIBEYE STEAK
- BAKED POTATO
- GREEN BEANS
- GARDEN SALAD
- PASTA
- ITALIAN BREAD
$30 PER PERSON
RESERVATION REQUIRED
Call (860)-376-5226 to make reservations!
Hosted By:
Location: 263 Taylor Hill Rd,
Jewett City, CT 06351
New London Veterans Coffee House & Breakfast
New London Veterans Coffee House & Breakfast
Friday, June 19, 2026 9AM – 11AM
New London Area Veterans, are you ready to reopen the New London Veterans Coffeehouse? Please join us in making this a successful restart of our coffeehouse. Did I say we’re going to serve breakfast? Guest speaker is TBD this far in advance.
Come and renew friendships, tell some stories, and catch up on what’s happening within the CT DVA and VA.
Please RSVP by June 17, to 860-440-6691, leave a message.
Hosted by: Veterans Advisory Committee of New London (860)440-6691
Location: New London Senior Center, 10 Brainard St, New London, CT 06320
On Site Veterans Assistance With Ryan Landry
On Site Veterans Assistance With Ryan Landry
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Join me and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Saturday, June 27th 10am-2pm at the Town of Ledyard Annex.
VETERAN ASSISTANCE ON SITE
SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVED
Come Join me and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veteran Representative Town of Ledyard
- Benefits Assistance
- VBA enrollments and claims
- Healthcare Assistance
- VHA enrollments and support
- Information Guidance. Support
All in one place.
SEE YOU THERE! ★
Not limited to just residents of the Town of Ledyard.
Ledyard is leading the charge in access and support for our military and veteran community.
#VeteransBenefits #veteransupport #vetrep #ledyardct Ledyard Life
Hosted By:
Ryan Landry Veteran Representative Town Of Ledyard
Location: Town Of Ledyard Annex Building,
741 Colonel Ledyard Highway Ledyard, CT 06339
Building Homes For Heroes 3rd Annual CT Car Show
Building Homes For Heroes 3rd Annual CT Car Show
Saturday June 27th 2026
12:00 pm – 4:00PM
(RAIN DATE June 28TH)
We’re hosting a day of fun to support our nation’s wounded veterans and first responders.
BENEFITING VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Spectators FREE Admission
For sponsorship opportunities and donations
please scan the QR code or CLICK HERE
$20 per SHOW CAR / $20 per 26 RAFFLE TICKETS LIVE MUSIC VENDORS
(All proceeds go to Building Homes for Heroes) PLUS FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR PURCHASE (NO OPEN CONTAINERS ALLOWED!)
For further information, please contact leah.volles@gmail.com
Whether you’re showcasing your car or simply enjoying the show, there’s something for everyone – mini golf, drink specials, and exciting raffles. Let’s make a difference together. See you there!
Hosted By:
Location: Elks Lodge #2202
98 Woodland St, South Glastonbury, CT 06073
Patriotic Flag Convoy In Honor Of A Vet Who Has Developed Cancer
Patriotic Flag Convoy In Honor Of A Vet Who Has Developed Cancer
Saturday June 27, 2026
12PM
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 GET YOUR FLAGS READY FOR THIS ONE🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
…THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL EVENT
I found out that a resident of Plainfield, Connecticut who lives on Rt 14A and sits outside his house in the front yard in a lawn chair surrounded by small American Flags and waves at passing traffic for hours on end has developed cancer…I want to plan a Patriotic Flag vehicle convoy for Saturday June 27 and plan the route so we can arrange for him to be outside as we come by and we all stop by and pay him a visit..who would be up for it??? we’ll make the route so we travel the back country roads like we did before..Details of exact route and starting/end point will be determined shortly..VEHICLES and BIKES OF ANY KIND ARE ENCOURAGED whether it has 2 wheels or 30 wheels… BRING IT!!!! please share this event …
Hosted By: Jimmy Stewart
Location: Route 14A
Plainfield, CT 06354
VFW Presents Mark Naftalin & Friends
VFW Presents Mark Naftalin & Friends
SATURDAY, JUNE 27,2026
6:30 doors/7:30 music
$20 at the door (CASH ONLY)
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer
MARK NAFTALIN on piano
From the original
Connecticut Blues Hall of Famer PAUL GABRIEL on guitar and vocals
Connecticut Blues Challenge Winner MARK ZARETSKY on harmonica & vocals
Special Guest
WASHBOARD SLIM on washboard and vocals
Hosted By: Westport VFW Post 399 (203) 227-6796
Location: 465 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880
East Town Prophets at Westport VFW
East Town Prophets at Westport VFW
Saturday
August 1, 2026
7:30PM – 10:00PM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
$10 Cover
East Town Prophets High Mileage Rock N Roll
Hosted By:
(203) 227-6796
Location:
465 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880
SAL Squadron 196 Comedy Fundraiser Event 2026
SAL Squadron 196 Comedy Fundraiser Event 2026
Saturday, October 3rd
6PM – Doors | 7PM – Comedy Show
GIVE LAUGH
Grab your tickets before they’re gone!
- RAFFLE PRIZES
- CROWD FUNDING
SAL SQUADRON 196 and Connecticut Comedy For Cash presents A Night of Comedy at American Legion East Shore Post 196
- Cash Bar –
- BYOF (bring your own food)
$30 Tickets
For tickets or additonal info contact:
SAL SQUADRON 196
203-874-9822 Email: info@milfordctvets.org
or Michael Merola 203-385-2484 merolamichael@sbcglobal.net
Presented By:
(203) 874-9822
For the BEST in Comedy Night Fundraising
Location: 25 Merwin Ave, Milford, CT 06460
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.
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