On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump declared November 2018 the second annual National Veterans and Military Families Month to “salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and…celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world.”
Beginning in 2017, President Trump proclaimed November Veterans and Military Families Month, marking the first time America celebrated Veterans and military families for the entire month and not just on Veterans Day, in keeping with the President’s strong focus on improving care and benefits to our nation’s heroes.
That tradition continues again this year with more than 300 events at VA hospitals, benefits offices and cemeteries across the country, including:
• senior leader visits to VA facilities
• open houses
• town halls
• benefits claims clinics
• volunteer recognitions
• homeless Veteran initiative events
• suicide prevention events
• faith-based community events
• flag planting tributes at national cemeteries
To celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month locally, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center will hold the following events honoring Veterans and their families throughout the month of November:
• November 10, Veterans Day Parade - Resource and Information Tables open at 10:00 a.m. in Building 9. Free Food will be provided by the Ross County Veterans Council at 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and the parade begins at Noon along Hines Blvd.
• November 11, Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in Building 9
This year’s celebration of Veterans and Military Families Month caps an unprecedented period of improvement for VA, as the department has made groundbreaking progress over the last two years in the areas of accountability, transparency and efficiency across the department while enjoying an important series of legislative successes.
“At VA, Veterans and their families are at the center of everything we do. Veterans and Military Families Month is an opportunity for us to honor the service of these patriots while educating communities about VA benefits and services and our commitment to customer service improvement,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said.
“Our staff have the privilege and honor of taking care of our nation’s heroes, so for us, every day is Veterans Day,” said Chillicothe VA Acting Medical Center Director, Dr. Deborah Meesig. “Our mission of providing the highest quality of care for Veterans is a duty we do not take lightly. On behalf of the Chillicothe VA, thank you for your service!”