Connecticut Veterans Bulletin: Thursday Preview (23 July 2026)
In this week’s Thursday Preview, we spotlight the latest additions to our Veterans Calendar for the upcoming Saturday, 25 July 2026 edition. These Connecticut Veterans events and programs are thoughtfully curated to support and engage Connecticut’s veteran community.
Understanding the Thursday Preview
The Thursday Preview serves as an interim update to our comprehensive weekly publication. While our main Saturday edition provides the most extensive list of events, this preview ensures you receive timely information about new additions or updates that have been finalized since our last issue.
- Content Scope: This preview focuses on new event listings scheduled for the upcoming Saturday edition, helping you stay ahead of the latest community updates.
- How to Use: For a complete list of events and full details, please refer to the full Connecticut Veterans Calendar in our upcoming Saturday publication or review our previous publication. Note that while our previous edition may not include these newest additions, it remains a valuable resource for all other ongoing, recurring, and previously scheduled listings.
- Verification: As always, please verify the status of any event directly with the listed organizing body before making plans to attend.
We encourage you to share these resources with your fellow Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen as we work together to keep Connecticut’s military and veteran community connected.
Thursday 23 July 2026 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar at ctvetsbulletin.org on Saturday, 25 July 2026
Events are in order by date
Plainfield VFW Friday Bar Games
NEXT RECURRENCE 24 JULY 2026
Plainfield VFW Friday Bar Games
Every Friday
2 – 4 PM
Missy Bartending
- Good Games
- Great Drinks
- Great People
See You Friday!
Hosted by: Plainfield VFW Post 5446 – William L. Mercier Post, (860) 564-5446
Location:
7 Winsor Ave,
Plainfield, CT 06374
US Veterans MC Presents 1st Annual Ride For Heroes
US Veterans MC Presents 1st Annual Ride For Heroes
Sunday
July 26, 2026
Registration: 9:00AM
Kickstands Up: 11:00AM
$20 per bike
Passengers bring a helmet for RI
Presented by:
Location:
1035 North Road
Dayville, CT 06241
Cruzin’ New Milford The BIG ONE Car & Motorcycle Show
Cruzin’ New Milford The BIG ONE Car & Motorcycle Show
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Awards: 2:30 PM
Join us for “The Big One” celebrating America’s 250th birthday. This event features a wide range of vehicles including classics, muscle cars, imports, trucks, and motorcycles. Enjoy DJ music, vendors, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit local and regional veteran causes.
Registration:
- Show Vehicles: $20.00 donation
- General Admission: Free
- Parking: Plenty of free parking
Presented by: Don Clady & Connecticut Cruise News (860) 354-5110
Location:John Pettibone Recreational Center
2 Pickett District Rd,
New Milford, CT 06776
Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee Annual Cook Out For Veterans 2026
Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee Annual Cook Out For Veterans 2026
Saturday,
September 26, 2026,
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Save the Date: Manchester Veterans Cookout!
Mark your calendar. The Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee (MVAC) hosts its annual cookout for veterans and their families at Northwest Park Pavilion, with a free lunch, veteran organizations and resources, and family activities. Rain or shine, so bring a lawn chair and a blanket.
RSVP: VetsCookout@gmail.com
Hosted by: Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee
860-647-3270
Location:
Northwast Park Pavilion, 448 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042
Psychic Medium Patty Griffin Supporting Usher Syndrome Research
Psychic Medium Patty Griffin Supporting Usher Syndrome Research
JULY 26, 2026
12:00 – 4:00 PM
We have an update on the fundraiser for the Usher Syndrome Society that was previously canceled!
We have finalized a date !!
🎟️For tickets you can still use the old tickets that have already been sold. If you would like to purchase tickets you can still find them at the bar of the legion or contact myself or Alison Gracy! We are going to continue to use the old tickets for everyone so just be aware that the date has changed.
- LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
- CASH BAR
- RAFFLES
RAFFLE SHEETS $5 EACH
*Individual reading not guaranteed*
$25.00 PER TICKET
See Any Bartender At The American Legion
CALL / TEXT ALISON 203-528-1336
Hosted by: American Legion Plymouth Post 20
(860) 584-9119
Location: 245 Main St, Terryville, CT 06786
Westport VFW Blood Drive 31 July 2026
Westport VFW Blood Drive 31 July 2026
Service saves lives. Give blood.
Friday, July 31, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org And enter: VFW Westport to schedule an appointment or Click Here
*Give blood July 13 to 31 for a Fandango Movie Reward by email to see a movie on us! rcblood.org/July
Download the Blood Donor App | redcrossblood.org | 1-800-RED CROSS | 1-800-733-2767
Hosted by:
Westport VFW Post 399, (203) 227-6796
Location:
Held in the Main Room
465 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880
Brian Cody’s Brothers & Sisters Foundation Dinner & Music Fundraiser
Brian Cody’s Brothers & Sisters Foundation Dinner & Music Fundraiser
Saturday,
August 1st, 2026
Dinner 6-7PM
Band 7-10PM
Music by NOT BAD
$25 Per Person
- Ziti Dinner
- Desert
- Coffee
Raffles
50/50
Contact: Brenda
(203) 460-4321
Hosted by: New Milford VFW Post 1672
Sponsored by: Brian Cody’s Brothers & Sisters Foundation,
Location: 11 Avery Rd, New Milford, CT 06776
9th Annual Military Appreciation Day
9th Annual Military Appreciation Day
Saturday August 15, 2026 9AM
Join us for an extraordinary Military Appreciation Day at Ocean Beach Park! Not just a 5K race, but a full day of celebration honoring our military heroes. Active-duty military, Veterans, and their family members are invited to enjoy this incredible event FREE OF CHARGE (Military ID or DD214 required at entry).
After conquering the Military Appreciation Day 5K, immerse yourself in a day of excitement! Explore our vibrant boardwalk filled with local vendors passionately supporting our military community. Explore the military booths for those stories of dedication and pride! https://nlmiltaryappday.org The day concludes in a moving ceremony at 3:00pm on the boardwalk stage, where we’ll honor active-duty service members with special action awards and recognize Connecticut Veterans who will receive the CT War-Time Medal. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate our military heroes at Ocean Beach Park – recently named one of the top 25 parks in the country by Travel and Leisure!
Hosted by: Veterans Advisory Committee of New London 860-440-6691
Location: Ocean Beach Park 98 Neptune Ave, New London, CT 06320
Tamarack Run For Hope
Tamarack Run For Hope
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Registration:
10:30 AM
Ride:
12:00 PM
Live Music:
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Join us for a motorcycle ride supporting Bags for Hope CT, providing comfort items to children in Connecticut foster care.
Enjoy a great bike run, live music, a basket raffle, food trucks, and more.
Registration:
Early Bird (Before Aug 1):
- $15 per rider
- $10 additional rider
Standard:
$20 per rider
$15 additional rider
Presented by: Tamarack Lodge & Glamping Resort
Location:Tamarack Lodge & Glamping Resort,
21 10 Rod Rd,
Voluntown, CT 06384
Farm To Veteran Dinner 2026
Farm To Veteran Dinner 2026
Sunday, August 23, 2026 4:00PM
We are proud to announce that we will be hosting a Farm to Veteran Dinner to thank those who have given so much for our freedom along with a guest. This is a free event for our veterans & a guest that includes live music, hayrides, antique military trucks, side-by-side rides, all in the middle of 45 of our 95 acres along the CT River. Our meager way to thank them for all they have sacrificed. Please let us know if you’d like to sponsor a table, 1/2 a table, or a veteran & a guest! All donations are tax deductable! Thank you!
Hosted by: Killam & Bassette Farmstead LLC (860) 833-0095
Location: 14 Tryon Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073
Sgt. Scoular’s 6th Annual Awareness Run & Recovery Festival
Sgt. Scoular’s 6th Annual Awareness Run & Recovery Festival
6th Annual Overdose Awareness 5K Run & Recovery Festival!
A FREE all-day event for everyone in the family! Join us for a day dedicated to community, hope, and remembrance.
Beginning with a 5k Awareness Run at Young’s Field at 8am followed by a full day of family-friendly activities on the Town Green at 10am!
*Activities & Games, *Vendors & Artists, *Performers & Speakers, *Food Trucks, *Narcan Training, *Recovery Support *AND MORE
Most importantly, truly amazing people!
To have your business sponsor our event: https://www.briancodyslaw.org/sponsors
To volunteer for our event: https://www.briancodyslaw.org/volunteers
To sign up to be a 5k runner: https://www.briancodyslaw.org/5kreg
To sign up to be an artist: https://www.briancodyslaw.org/artists
To inquire about being a vendor, email Tito at Info@BrianCodysLaw.org
More details to follow, but please save the date and join our #HopeDealers for an amazing event!
Donations to our cause are highly appreciated! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/13bd3435-42b0-413b-b6c9-0e18df771c43
Sponsored by: Brian Cody’s Brothers & Sisters Foundation,
Location: New Milford Town Green,
25 Main St, New Milford, CT 06776
Surfside Veterans Veterans Awards Dinner Dance
Surfside Veterans Veterans Awards Dinner Dance
November 7, 2026. 6PM
BRONZE $250 Posted On Social Media
SILVER $500 Logo On Banner, With Social Media GOLD $1000 Featured Sponsored, Advertisement
Contact:
Denise (860) 877-1449
Rich (860) 710-1833
Top Sponsors On Banner And Tees
CASH APP $SURFSIDEVETERANS, VENMO SURFSIDEVETERANS
all sponsors will be advertised accordingly.
Hosted by:
(203)589-8945
Location:
265 Main St,
West Haven, CT 06516
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.