Welcome to the Thursday, August 6, 2026 preview edition of the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin, spotlighting the latest additions to our comprehensive calendar for the upcoming Saturday, August 8, 2026 publication.
This week’s preview highlights a curated selection of upcoming events, community fundraisers, and regional programs designed to support, engage, and honor Connecticut’s military and veteran community:
- Community Initiatives & Ongoing Support: Features new additions like the Resilience In Us ongoing veteran inspiration platform and the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program supporting Surfside Veterans throughout August 2026.
- Special Events & Gatherings: Highlights upcoming activities such as American Legion Riders Chapter 196 Movies On The Beach in Milford, American Legion Post 14 Sunday Bingo in Vernon, and the 9th Annual Military Appreciation Day 5K in New London.
- Extended Community & Heritage Programs: Showcases late-summer and autumn events including the DAR Bridgewater 250 Patriot Salute Ceremony, American Legion Post 83 and Post 20 fundraisers, the Port 5 Women’s Auxiliary Fall Arts & Crafts Fair, the 25th Annual Charity Car Show at Goodwin University, and American Legion Post 20’s September Dance.
For the complete and comprehensive listing of all active statewide events, please refer to the full Connecticut Veterans Calendar in our upcoming Saturday edition. The previous publication is also available. Please remember to verify event statuses directly with host organizations in advance, and help us keep our community connected by sharing these updates with your fellow service members
Thursday 6 August 2026 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar at ctvetsbulletin.org on Saturday, 8 August 2026
Events are in order by date
Resilience In Us (www.resilienceinus.com/)
Resilience In Us (https://www.resilienceinus.com/)
Mission & Dedication: Created out of love and for love, dedicated to the continued spirit of a beloved husband’s lifetime work mission in mental health and to his fellow veterans, alongside a shared love for the outdoors in Connecticut.
Core Focus: Exists for the part of us that refuses to quit and navigates action, purpose, and meaning discovery, serving as a community where that spirit can be shared and inspired by the Connecticut Veteran community.
Call for Contributions: Seeking Connecticut veterans to share their stories, art, or other inspirational work to help others.
Current Progress & Location: Launched recently; the first entries are available under the Vet to vet inspiration and community tab.
Origin & Purpose:Inspired by meeting veterans who have powerful stories and insights to share but lack a platform to do so.
Contact & Submissions: Anyone knowing a veteran interested in posting inspirational content is encouraged to share the site contact email.
Support & Features: Independently created and self-funded, the evolving platform also hosts and welcomes additional books written by veterans.
Contact Bernadette Southwick • resilienceinusct@gmail.com
Stop & Shop Community Bag Program Supporting Surfside Veterans
Stop & Shop Community Bag Program Supporting Surfside Veterans
August 2026
(All Month)
Dive into Giving
STOP&SHOP
FEED IT FORWARD
Nourishing tomorrow starts today.
Make a splash in your community this August! Every $2.50 reusable Community Bag purchased at our selected Stop & Shop sends $1 to Surfside Veterans. Small actions can create waves of good.
Hosted by:
Stop & Shop West Haven CT (203) 931-8843
Location:
460 Elm St,
West Haven, CT 06516
American Legion Riders Chapter 196 Movies On The Beach
American Legion Riders Chapter 196 Movies On The Beach
Saturday August 8, 2026 At Sunset
(Approximately 8PM)
Featuring OVERBOARD
FREE FUN EVENT!!
B.Y.O. Chairs and Snacks
No Alcohol in coolers
Hosted by:
American Legion Riders Chapter 196
(203) 874-9822
Location:
25 Merwin Ave,
Milford, CT 06460
American Legion Post 14 Sunday BINGO
NEXT RECURRENCE SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2026
American Legion Post 14 Sunday BINGO
Every Sunday
Doors Open AT 11AM
EARLY BIRD STARTS AT 12:15
PROGRESSIVE IS $1000.00 AND MUST GO!
EVERY GAME IS A $50.00 OR MORE WINNER!
Who’s GOING TO BE LUCKY-WINNER?
HOT FOOD AVAILABLE, COMPLIMENTARY HOT COCOA, TEA & COFFEE
HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Hosted by:
Dobosz-Ertel-Laboc-Hansen American Legion Post 14
(860) 306-9328
Location:
114 West St,
Vernon, CT 06066
9th Annual Military Appreciation Day.
9th Annual Military Appreciation Day.
Saturday August 15, 2026 9AM
Military Appreciation Day 5K is an annual community road race held as part of New London’s Military Appreciation Day celebration. The event honors active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families while promoting fitness, community involvement, and support for the local military community. The race takes place at Ocean Beach Park in New London, Connecticut, and is organized by the City of New London Veterans Advisory Committee. Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to run or walk the 5K course while helping recognize the service and sacrifices of members of the United States Armed Forces.
100% of net proceeds directly support the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) – Run with purpose, run with pride!
Registration information is available through RunSignup.
Hosted by: Veterans Advisory Committee of New London 860-440-6691
Location: Ocean Beach Park 98 Neptune Ave, New London, CT 06320
Veterans Coffee House & Breakfast
Veterans Coffee House & Breakfast
Friday August 21, 2026 9AM -11:00AM
New London Area Veterans please join us in making this a successful August coffeehouse. Did I say we’re going to serve breakfast? Guest speaker is TBD.Come and renew friendships, tell some stories, and catch up on what’s happening within the CT DVA and VA.
Hosted by: Veterans Advisory Committee of New London 860-440-6691
Location: New London Senior Center, 10 Brainard Street, New London, CT 06320
DAR Bridgewater 250 Patriot Salute Ceremony
DAR Bridgewater 250 Patriot Salute Ceremony
AMERICA ★250!
Saturday,
August 29, 2026
10:30 a.m.
Rain date August 30 @3:30p.m.
South Cemetery Christian Street Bridgewater, CT
Join the Roger Sherman Chapter, NSDAR and Bridgewater 250! as we honor the twelve Revolutionary War Patriots laid to rest in Bridgewater through ceremonial grave markings, patriotic tributes, and inspiring stories of their service and sacrifice in the cause of American independence.
Hosted by:
Roger Sherman Chapter, NSDAR (203) 788-2305
& Bridgewater 250
Location: South Cemetery,
Christian St, Bridgewater, Litchfield, Connecticut 06752
American Legion Post 83 Pasta Dinner “Fun”draiser
American Legion Post 83 Pasta Dinner “Fun”draiser
Friday, September 18, 2026
6PM-8PM
Great People Stronger Together!
THANK YOU VETERANS!
Tickets $15,00 EACH
KIDS KORNER!
CHILDREN 10 AND UNDER $5.00
50/50 RAFFLE!
Along With Some Pretty Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Featuring A Veterans Wall Purchase.
A Star For To Write A Special Note To A Veteran To Hang On The Wall.
$1
Good Food. Great Cause. Stronger Together.
We Can’t Wait To See You There!
Thank You for your Service!
Hosted by:
(203) 315-0068
Location: 243 North Main Street, Branford, CT 06405
American Legion Post 20 Craft & Tag Sale
American Legion Post 20 Craft & Tag Sale
Saturday Sept 19, 2026
RAIN OR SHINE
Set up 8am
Sale 9am-2pm
9-13-26 DEADLINE TO SIGN UP
245 Main Street, Terryville See bartender to sign up & pay
Buy a table for $15.00, Additional Tables $5.00
Hosted by:
(860) 584-9119
Location: 245 Main St,
Terryville, CT 06786
Port 5 Women’s Auxiliary Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
Port 5 Women’s Auxiliary Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
Saturday, September 19, 2026 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Free Entry Indoor & Outdoor Vendors. Food & Drink For Purchase. Rain or shine.
Questions? Want to be a vendor? If you are interested in being a vendor, you can: pick up an application at Port 5 or CLICK HERE to fill out an electronic application.
Contact: port5craftfair@gmail.com
Hosted by: Port 5 Women’s Auxiliary (203) 576-9366
Location: Port 5 National Association Of Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605
25th Annual Charity Car Show Goodwin University Campus, East Hartford, CT
25th Annual Charity Car Show Goodwin University Campus, East Hartford, CT
Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 9am-2pm
First 250 vehicles receive a dash plaque
Helping those in need in our communities. 100% of car show income and donations goes to local charities!
Any vehicle, any year welcome / $10 per show car – pay at the gate Spectator donations appreciated / Trophies for Top 12+ and Best in Show
Special displays by Central CT Region AACA / COMVEC Display of Brass Era and Early 1900’s Vintage Vehicles
Klingberg Auto Restoration Program / Bill Eggers reproductions
Kids! See the 1934 “Little Blue Truck” of the popular story (pictured above)
With Rockin’ Ron Sedaille
The Greatest Hits Of All Time! Fun Lower Radio www.funtowerradio.com
Food tent by American Legion / Seaside Creamery Ice Cream / Rollin’ Dogs Multiple Vendors
https://www.valleycollectorcarclub.org
A 501(c)3 non-profit
More info: 860-712-6290
Email: vccccarclub@gmail.com
Sponsored by The Valley Collector Car Club, Simsbury
Location: Goodwin University Campus East Hartford
1 Riverside Dr,
East Hartford, CT 06118
Spectators: enter at 1 Riverside Dr.
Show cars enter at 3 Pent Rd
American Legion Post 20 September 2026 Dance
American Legion Post 20 September 2026 Dance
SEPT 26, 2026
6PM-10PM
Let’s DANCE!
Motown Music & More!!
MUSIC BY DJ Redwood
American Legion Post 20
245 Main St., Terryville
POT LUCK
Open to the Public
Hosted by:
(860) 584-9119
Location: 245 Main St,
Terryville, CT 06786
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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