News & Releases

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 435 is holding their 15th Annual Car Show on June 2, 2018, from 11 am to 3 pm at the PA Soldiers' & Sailors' Home. Participant entry is $5. Spectators are free. Dash Plaques are available for the first 75 paid entries, and trophies for Best in Show and Most Original will be awarded. A picnic lunch will occur between noon and 2 pm. Donations are welcomed, and a 50/50 as well as a silent auction will be going on. Proceeds will benefit Veterans and their community.

The Fallen Soldiers Picnic will be held on May 26, 2018, from 3:00-9:00 pm at Gravel Pit Park in North East, PA. The lantern lighting and release will be from 8:30-9:00 pm. A National Anthem and Honor Guard Ceremony, live bands, Fallen Soldiers Picnic merchandise sales, and auction and raffles will be at the event. Entry donation will be $10 for entrance, $5 for Veterans, Active Duty, and children 12-6 years of age, and children under 5 are free. Admission covers 1 food ticket, drink, parking, and live bands.

American Legion PA Post 742 will be holding its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2018, beginning at 10 am. The parade will start at the Holy Cross Church in Fairview, PA, follow RT. 20 west, pass Northwest Bank, turn north onto Maple Drive, and proceed to the Fairview Cemetery.

The Veterans Resource & Job Expo will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Hammermill Center at Gannon University.

The following job fairs are coming up: Erie County Career Fair on May 9, and Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry & Quickstaff Contingent Workforce Solutions 2nd Annual Warren County Job Fair on May 17. Click to read more.

Erie VAMC is hosting its 8th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll on Wednesday, May 16th to benefit homeless Veterans while promoting health & wellness. Kick-off begins at 11:20 am at the Erie VAMC 2nd Floor Pavilion with walks departing at 11:30 am, Noon, and 12:30 pm. For those with limited mobility, our Whole Health Program will also be offering Tai-Chi on-site as an alternative to walking. All Veterans, their families, and community members are invited.  The event is FREE, but donations to the Homeless Veterans Program will be accepted. For a full list of donated items accepted, visit www.erie.va.gov/giving/items.asp. Call 814-860-2232 for more information or visit the VA2K Online News Release. 

U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie is hosting an open house on Sunday, May 20, 2018, from noon to 4:00 pm. The open house will be held at the Station Erie, located at 1 Coast Guard Rd, Erie, PA. Partners and demonstrations will be present, and a historical presentation will be given by DCNR Environmental Educator Brian Gula. Tours of Station Erie, a 45 ft Response Boat, 25 ft Response Boat, and a Dolphin H-65 Helicopter will also be available.

Being one of the flagship facilities across the country launching a Whole Health Program, the Erie VAMC will be holding Introduction to Whole Health class for any Veterans recently discharged from the military, who do not need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to participate. Class will be held on the Second & Fourth Friday of every month from 9 am to 11 am at the Erie VA Medical Center. Transitioning from military service can be challenging. Their Whole Health Coaches will help Veterans and their families work through those challenges by equipping them with Whole Health tools for self-care and well-being. Family members are encouraged to attend. Call 814-860-2447 to register and for location details.

May 27, 2018, and July 4, 2018, are Fish-for-Free Days, which allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with no fishing license required (Trout/Salmon and Lake Erie permits are also not required). All other fishing regulations still apply.

On May 31, from 6-9 pm, Team RWB will be at Voodoo Brewery (101 Boston Store Pl, Erie, PA) for food, drinks, and trivia. Veterans, come on out and join them for a fun night out! They plan to do this every other week.