💥 Summer 2026: Lock & Load For Connecticut’s Premier Veteran Events!
Get ready to hit the road, honor our heroes, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest community in the state! This summer lineup is packed with high-octane fundraisers, roaring memorial rides, massive milestone anniversaries, and a tribute to the unstoppable spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps’ toughest icon—the legendary English Bulldog devil dog!
🚨 June 27: The Day of the Bulldog
Right before the July and August events kick into overdrive, we hit a massive milestone in military history. On June 27, 1927, the United States Marine Corps formally designated the English Bulldog as its official mascot.
This date honors the legacy of Jiggs, a tough-as-nails bulldog enlisted by Brigadier General Smedley Butler in 1922 who climbed the ranks all the way to Sergeant Major. That unbroken line of canine grit later birthed the legendary line of mascots named “Chesty“—honoring the most decorated Marine in history, Lieutenant General Lewis “Chesty” Puller. When you see that bulldog sporting a USMC service vest next to the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor this summer, remember the history behind the grit!
🚨 Main Summer Operational Briefing
- Veterans Strong 10th Anniversary Gala (August 7 | Bristol): A decade of relentless, unwavering service to our veteran community! Dust off your finest attire and celebrate 10 years of life-changing local impact at this premier milestone gala.
- 65th Annual America’s V.J. Day Parade (August 9 | Moosup): The biggest, loudest, and most historic V.J. Day parade in the nation is back! This year’s “America 250” theme fires up a dual tribute to our country’s founding and the sheer grit of the Greatest Generation.
- Homegrown By Heroes Veteran Farmers’ Market (August 6 | Rocky Hill): Direct support for our homegrown heroes! Head down to the Department of Veterans Affairs Campus for a massive day of veteran-owned vendors, elite food trucks, and a live, high-energy performance by the powerhouse 102d Army Band.
- NSB New London Area Veterans Job Fair (July 23 | Mystic): Mission-critical career advancement. Transitioning service members and veterans can lock targets with elite local and national recruiters hungry for military talent.
🏍️ Thunder on the Highway: Memorial Rides & Fundraisers
- Honor Ink Tattoo Flash For The Brave (July 25 | Franklin): Ink with a purpose! Crimson, gold, and ink collide at this massive event raising crucial funds directly for our combat-wounded veterans.
- Drive On Foundation Memorial Ride (August 1 | Middletown): Kickstands up to honor the legacy of Command Sergeant Major Gary Sirois. A roaring tribute to a true leader that you do not want to miss.
- MFC East Conn Annual Salute to Veterans Ride (August | Chaplin): Chrome, country, and community. Join the massive convoy as it rolls out across Eastern Connecticut, culminating in a powerhouse rally in Chaplin.
- Annual Freedom Isn’t Free Ride (August | Fairfield): Thunder meets tradition. A legendary ride starting out of Fairfield to remind the entire state exactly what secures our liberty.
- 10th Annual Purple Heart Poker Run (August 29 | New London): High stakes, high honor. Ride out from New London to back our nation’s combat-wounded heroes in a milestone 10th-anniversary run.
⚠️ Note: Check the full volume listings below for the complete operational schedule, including weekly food distribution networks, local social hours, and vital service programs running non-stop through the summer heat.
Semper Fi, and let’s make these events massive!
Information by Connecticut Veterans for Connecticut Veterans
27 June 2026 12:00 AM
SEE VOLUME LINKS BELOW THE ARTICLE
CT VETERANS EVENTS
The 27 June 2026 Edition of CVB’s Weekly Connecticut Veterans Calendar Publication, includes 16 events for CT Veterans remaining in June, in Volume one. Whereas Volume two Includes 256 events for CT Veterans beyond June. Volume three includes recurring CT Veterans events and programs.
V.1 Current months events
V.2 events beyond current month.
V.3 recurring programs & VOB Directory
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ATTN: ALWAYS VERIFY EVENT STATUS IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDANCE BY CONTACTING THE LISTED EVENT ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTLY.
Volume 1
Page 1 Featured Listing
Pages 2 – 90: CT Veterans Event Listings 14 June 2026 – 30 June 2026
Volume 2
Pages 1 – 187: CT Veterans Event Listings 1 July 2026 – 4 December 2026
Page 188: Posting Guidance
Volume 3
Page 1 – 4 Table of Contents
Pages 5- 8: Recurring Programs & Directories, including CT Veterans Coffee Houses.
Pages 9 – 10: Donations Needed
Page 9: Care Package Drive
Page 10: EASTERSEALS VETERANS RALLY POINT LEGACY BRICKS BUY A BRICK, LEAVE A LEGACY!
Pages 11 – 25 Food & Dining
Page 11: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 128 All You Can Eat Breakfast
Page 12: Wallingford VFW Post 591 Sunday Breakfast 1st Sunday Monthly
Page 13: VFW Post 1724 Breakfast 2nd Sunday monthly
Page 14: American Legion Post 113 Monthly Breakfast
Page 15: VFW Post 10688 Monthly Sunday Breakfast
Page 16: Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Post 14’s Bistro Sunday Every Month 2022
Page 17: Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Food Pantry
Page 18: AMERICAN LEGION POST 68 BERLIN PASTA DINNER
Page 19: American Legion Post 68 Pasta Dinner
Page 20: VFW Post 399 Paradox Brewing Pizza & Brew Night
Page 21: VFW Post 10004 Canteen Menu
Page 22: American Legion Post 102 Spaghetti Dinner Night
Page 23: Duke’s Canteen Thursday and Friday Dinners
Page 24: All You Can Eat Steak Dinner @ Plainfield VFW
Page 25: Steak Night At The VFW
Pages 26 – 55 Fun
Page 26: American Legion Post 112 Music BINGO
Page 27: American Legion Post 22, 8 Ball Tournament
Page 28: Mystic VFW Karaoke
Page 29: VFW Post 5095 Open Pool
Page 30: New London Ping Pong Club
Page 31: Mecca Cruise Night Presented by Surfside Veterans
Page 32: Wednesday Night Rides At Suffield VFW
Page 33: VFW Post 3336 Summer Cornhole
Page 34: Nine Ball Pool Tournament
Page 35: Left • Right • Center At American Legion Post 113
Page 36: Soldier Songs and Voices
Page 37: Veterans Coffee HOUSE
Page 38: American Legion Post 12 BINGO
Page 39: VFW Post 5095 Thursday Night BINGO
Page 40: VFW Post 201 Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
Page 41: American Legion Post 68 Drop-In SetBack
Page 42: Thursday Night VFW Cruise at Smalley Brothers VFW Post 6123
Page 43: American Legion Post 26 BINGO Night
Page 44: Front Line Fellowship Board Games Card Games & More
Page 45: American Legion Post 128 Karaoke
Page 46: American Legion Post 68 Game Night
Page 47: American Legion Dart Drop-In Tournament
Page 48: Line Dancing At American Legion Litchfield
Page 49: VFW POST 5157 Karaoke Night
Page 50: Moosup American Legion Post 91 Karaoke Night
Page 51: VFW 5095 East Hampton Karaoke
Page 52: Plainfield VFW Friday Karaoke Night
Page 53: American Legion Post 165 Family Bingo
Page 54: DAV Danbury Trivia Night
Page 55: American Legion Post 112 Karaoke Night
Pages 56 & 57: Meetings
Page 56: American Legion Post 117 Meetings
Page 57: FREE Virtual Military & Veterans Support Group
Page(s) 58 – 60: Membership Opportunities
Page 58: American Legion Riders Member Information Form/Application
Page 59: Surfside Veterans Meeting
Page 60: VAHF Monthly Membership – Sign up & Recruitment Meetings
Pages 61 – 82 Programs
Page 61: American Legion Post 12 Veteran of the Month Flag Ceremony
Page 62: Free Acupuncture For Active Military, Veterans & First Responders
Page 63: Veterans Base Camp
Page 64: American Legion Online Courses
Page 65: Heal Her Art
Page 66: Mission Role Call White Star Families Resources
Page 67: Easterseals Vets Peer to Peer Meetup Groups
Page 68: US Vet Connect Inc.’s- Veterans Outdoors Resource Hub
Page 69: Horse Feathers Veterans Program
Page 70: Veterans Equine Therapy
Page 71: Veterans Support Group
Page 72: WARRIORS FOR WARRIORS
Page 73: Shepherds Meadow Veterans
Page 74: VRP BROADCASTING STUDIO TRAINING & INTERNSHIP
Page 75: Dog Star Veterans Program
Page 76: Greater Windsor Veteran’s Council Veterans Outreach
Page 77: Weekly Veterans Program With Horses
Page 78: Art Group Therapy @Honor Wellness Center
Page 79: UCONN Entrepreneurship Boot Camp For Veterans
Page 80: CCSU Office of Veterans Affairs
Page 81: Connecticut Oral Health Initiative Salute to Smiles
Page 82: Complimentary Hair Cuts For Service Members, Veterans & Their families
Page 83 Publications
The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses Voyageur Briefs
Pages 84 – 85 Services
Page 84: Connecticut Department of Labor Veterans Services
Page 85: Eastern CT Veterans Community Center
Page 86 Veteran Owned Business Section Has Moved to
Page 87: Message From The Editor
Page 88: Subscribe To CVB’S Weekly PDF For Email Delivery.
Page 89: Post Your Mil/Vet Related Event In CVB’S Weekly PDF publication.
Page 90: JOIN CVB GROUP ON Facebook/FOLLOW CVB’S MEMORIAL PAGE On Facebook
Page 91: Emergency Resources and Resources for Rent, Security, Utilities, Furniture and Apartment Listings As of 3 January 2023
Please inform your fellow Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen of Connecticut’s premier mil/vet events calendar.
CVB serves Connecticut's military/veteran community by researching and promoting events and programs of interest from numerous resources in a weekly PDF publication and on social media platforms. Each event is listed in CVB'S Weekly PDF with a dedicated page and remains listed in all subsequent PDF issues, up to the Saturday before the event or the Saturday of the event.
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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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