This week’s preview features a massive lineup of community events, camaraderie, and milestone celebrations across Connecticut. We are tracking everything from weekly local drop-in nights to major summer traditions and regional festivals.
Key highlights in this preview include:
- Weekly Camaraderie: The American Legion Post 68 Drop-In SetBack card games in Berlin.
- Music & Dancing: Throwback Jams with DJ Pat at American Legion Post 195 in Watertown, and the America 250 Dance Night hosted by Easterseals Veterans Rally Point in Norwich.
- Summer Feasts & Festivals: The Danbury DAV Club Community Celebration, American Legion Post 2’s Annual Pig Roast in Bristol, and the day-long Vet’s Fest ’26 Music Fest in Litchfield.
- Patriotic Milestones: Major regional celebrations for America’s Semiquincentennial (250th Birthday), including the Official State Observance Ceremony at the Hall of Flags in Hartford, the 21st Annual Push-N-Pull Parade by Darien VFW Post 6933, and the CT River 4th of July Boat Parade in Essex.
- Post Anniversaries: Celebrating 50 years of service at the Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post 9460 Annual Bash in Stratford.
Remembering June 25, 1950: The Outbreak of the Korean War
This Thursday’s preview carries deep historical significance, landing exactly on the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
Before dawn on June 25, 1950, the North Korean People’s Army launched a massive, unprovoked artillery barrage and amphibious assault across the 38th Parallel, invading South Korea. This surprise offensive caught South Korean and United States forces off guard, quickly pushing them back to the Pusan Perimeter.
In response, the United Nations mobilized, and President Harry S. Truman ordered American air, naval, and ground forces into combat to halt the communist advance. This marked the beginning of a brutal, three-year conflict defined by extreme terrain, frozen winters, and immense sacrifice. More than 36,000 Americans gave their lives during the war, including hundreds of brave service members from right here in Connecticut.
As we look forward to gathering at our local posts and community celebrations this summer, we pause to honor the legacy of our “Forgotten War” veterans. We remember their valor, their unwavering defense of freedom, and the families they left behind. We are forever grateful.
In this week’s Thursday Preview, we spotlight the latest additions to our Veterans Calendar for the upcoming Saturday, 27 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 through our previous publication. Although our last edition does not include the newest events listed below, it contains all other ongoing listings.
Thursday 25 June 2026 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar at ctvetsbulletin.org on Saturday, 27 June 2026
Events are in order by date
American Legion Post 68 Drop-In SetBack
NEXT RECURRENCE THURSDAY 25 JUNE
American Legion Post 68 Drop-In SetBack
EVERY THURSDAY 7:00 PM
- PLAY 5 GAMES TO 15 POINTS
- RANDOM PARTNER DRAW EACH WEEK. All participants’ names are placed in a hat and partners are chosen at random before play begins.
- ARRIVE BETWEEN 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM to enter your name before the drawing.
BE HERE 6:30 PM -6:45 PM TO ENTER YOUR NAME!
- ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME
- MEET NEW PEOPLE
- FRIENDLY COMPETITION
- GOOD TIMES & PLENTY OF LAUGHS
OPEN TO EVERYONE!
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Message Us or STOP IN for DETAILS!
- BRING A FRIEND
- MAKE NEW FRIENDS
- HAVE SOME FUN!
Food, beverages, and camaraderie available in the canteen.
Hosted by:
(860) 828-9102
Location: 154 Porters Pass, Kensington, CT 06037
American Legion Post 195 Throwback Jams With DJ Pat
American Legion Post 195 Throwback Jams With DJ Pat
JUNE 27, 2026
4-9
BEST HITS FROM THE 60’S, 70’S, 80’S & 90’S
Come out and party through the 60’s – 90’s! Fun, games, prizes and drink specials!!!
DRINK SPECIALS
PRIZE FOR BEST COSTUME FROM EACH ERA
Hosted by:
(860) 274-7882
Location: 62 Bunker Hill Rd, Watertown, CT 06795
Veterans Rally Point Dance Night
Veterans Rally Point Dance Night
Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
250 YEARS
1776- 2026
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL
Oh what a night! Lets celebrate America’s 250 Years, with dancing, camaraderie, and good food. 🥳💃🍔
Live DJ!
Photo booth fun!
FOR MORE INFO CALL
860-859-4148 EXT. I
Active Guard Reserve Families
Hosted by: easterseals
(860) 859-4148 ext. 1
Location: 24 Stott Ave Norwich CT 06360
Disabled American Veterans Club Community Celebration
Disabled American Veterans Club Community Celebration
Friday, July 3, 2026
FESTIVITIES BEGIN AT 5 PM
• RAIN OR SHINE
BRING A CHAIR!
CELEBRATING THE 250th Birthday of the USA!
RUSTIC FUSION
GREAT FOOD & DRINKS
• RAFFLES & FUN!
ADMISSION $15
1 ADULT DRINK TICKET
ALL ARE WELCOME
VETERANS FREE!
- HONOR
- SUPPORT
- CELEBRATE
Hosted by:
The Bunker At Danbury DAV Lee Hartwell Chapter 25
(203) 743-3013
Location: 25 Segar St, Danbury, CT 06810
Official State Observance America 250 Independence Day Celebration
Official State Observance America 250 Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026
8:30AM Arrive
9:00 AM Ceremony
The Hall of Flags ceremony in the capitol building is open to all and will be just the beginning of many events in the Hartford area to celebrate America 250 on July 4th. American Legion Posts are encouraged to bring your colors!! CTVets250 #America250Year #USA250 #america250ct #IndependenceDay Hartford Courant WFSB – Channel 3 Eyewitness News WTNH News 8 #hartfordct
Hosted by:
American Legion Department of Connecticut
(860) 436-9986
& VFW Department of Connecticut
(860) 616-2360
Location: Hall of Flags
210 Capitol Ave,
Hartford, CT 06106
21st ANNUAL PUSH-N-PULL PARADE — JULY 4th, 2026
21st ANNUAL PUSH-N-PULL PARADE — JULY 4th, 2026
Darien VFW Post 6933 is proud to host the 21st Annual Darien Push-n-Pull Parade this Independence Day! 🎆:
⏰ 9:30 AM — Declaration Day Ceremony at DHS Courtyard
⏰ 9:45–10:00 AM — Families arrive at Darien High School
⏰ 10:20 AM — Contest winners announced
⏰ 10:30 AM — Parade steps off! 🇺🇸
🚲 THE PARADE:
Decorate your bikes, scooters, wagons & non-motorized vehicles in red, white & blue! The parade travels down Noroton Avenue from Darien High School to VFW Post 6933.
🏆 CONTESTS:
• Best Decorated Vehicle (tricycle, bike, scooter or wagon)
• Best Decorated Float
• Most Patriotic Dressed Family
Winners lead the parade as Honorary Grand Marshals!
🎉 AT THE POST:
Food vendors • Live music • Face painting • Children’s activities
📍 VFW Post 6933, 205 Noroton Avenue, Darien, CT
🎟️ FREE & open to the public (suggested donation: $25/family)
💰 Venmo: @DarienVFW
Hosted by: Darien VFW Post 6933
(203) 655-8552
Location: Darien High School, 80 High School Ln, Darien, CT 06820
CT River 4th of July Boat Parade 2026
CT River 4th of July Boat Parade 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Meet Time / Place: Participating veterans and their guests will meet Onrust at 1 PM at CT River Museum (67 Main Street, Essex)
+ Parade Time: Boats will sail at 1:30 PM and will parade at 2 PM. The parade concludes at ~2:45 or 3:00 PM.
This year’s CT River 4th of July Boat Parade is organized thru CT River Museum. As with last year’s invite, it would be terrific to have members of Post 6573 and their family and guests in the parade aboard Onrust, which will be reprising its role as flagship for this year’s 4th of July boat parade!
Photos and videos of last year’s parade can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vyMgnY7hmiH1YgF99
Please encourage interested members of Post 6573 to get in touch with Brad directly by e-mail (bgaliette@gmail.com) or phone (860-575-4984). Brad will then connect these members with the captain of Onrust, who will provide more details about what to expect aboard Onrust. There is plenty of room to sit on the boat, with passengers boarding by way of a gangplank. Furthermore, if there are accommodation requests, those can be navigated on a case-by-case basis.
Feel free to get in touch with any questions, and thanks in advance!
Organized by: CT River Museum
(860) 767-8269
Location: CT River Museum,67 Main Street
Essex, CT 06426
Raymond T. Goldbach VFW. Post 9460 50th Anniversary Annual Bash
Raymond T. Goldbach VFW. Post 9460 50th Anniversary Annual Bash
★ SATURDAY ★
JULY 11, 2026
★ 6PM – 10PM
THANK YOU VETERANS and SUPPORTERS!
PAST PRESENT. FUTURE
+$30* PER TICKET
FOOD AND DRINKS INCLUDED! PRELUDED ★★★
ENTERTAINMENT BY:
MUST BUY 8 USER TICKETS TO RESERVE A TABLE!
- HONORING VETERANS
- COMMUNITY
- BROTHERHOOD
SELECTED BEER AND WINE
Proud To Serve Those Who Served •
Proud To Be VFW Post 9460
Hosted by:
Raymond T. Goldbach VFW. Post 9460
(203) 377-0214
Location:
100 Veterans Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615
VFW POST 5157/Auxiliary 3rd Annual Summer Bash
VFW POST 5157/Auxiliary 3rd Annual Summer Bash
Saturday
AUGUST 15, 2026
1 pm
SAVE THE DATE!!!
RAFFLES
HORSESHOES CORNHOLE
Hosted by:
(860) 274-1573
Location:
866 Thomaston Rd, Watertown, CT 06795
American Legion Post 2 Annual Pig Roast 2026
American Legion Post 2 Annual Pig Roast 2026
Saturday
September 19, 2026
1PM
Save The Date!!
Burgers and dogs, then the main event!
More Information To Follow.
Hosted by: American Legion Post 2 Bristol
(860) 589-0088
Location: 22 Hooker Ct, Bristol, CT 06010
Vet’s Fest ’26
Vet’s Fest ’26
Saturday, 26 September 2026
11:00AM – 8:00PM
CT JAM BANDS FOR VETS MUSIC FEST
- JEFF SUMMA AND THE ROASTERS
- CREAMERY STATION
- NEYBAS
- ROB GLASSMAN BAND
- HANNAH’S FIELD
- GUMBO
- JENNIFER HILL
- NORTHFIELD
- KEVIN CRANE
Tickets: $35 Before 8/8,
$45 After 8/8
www.zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/vets-fest–26
MC: DARCY ANDERSON-ABBOTT WAPJ RADIO
SOUND BY DOC STERLING
Outdoor Event- Rain or Shine!
100% Of Proceeds Go Directly to the American Legion for Veterans Services.
Hosted by: Litchfield American Legion Post 27 (860) 567-9930
Location: 418 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759
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.