PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Yesterday 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."
In 2017, President Trump proclaimed November Veterans and
Military Families Month, the first time America celebrated Veterans and
military families for the entire month - not just on Veterans Day - in keeping
with the President's strong focus on improving care and benefits for our
nation's heroes.
The 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
"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.
To celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month locally,
the Providence VA Medical Center will participate in the following events
honoring Veterans and their families throughout the month of November:
- Nov. 1 - 5, Vietnam Moving Wall at Ponaganset High School,
North Scituate, R.I.
- Nov. 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., OSDRI Winter Coat Giveaway for
homeless and at-risk Veterans, HPACT Clinic, PVAMC campus, 830 Chalkstone Ave.,
Providence
- Nov. 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., A Forum for Veterans and their
Community, Middletown Town Hall, 350 E. Main Rd., Middletown, R.I.
- Nov. 10, 1 p.m. - 10 p.m., 2018 Providence Waterfire
Salute to Veterans, Providence, R.I.
- Nov. 17, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Veterans Expo at BCC, Bristol
Community College, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, Mass.
A detailed list of southeastern New England events for
Veterans and Military Families Month is available at https://www.providence.va.gov/calendar.asp.
"We honor Veterans and their families every day, but
November is a time of special emphasis as we participate in Veteran events
across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts," said Dr. Susan
MacKenzie, director of the Providence VA Medical Center. "Come see us and
learn about the VA benefits and services you've earned through your service and
sacrifice."
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, while enjoying an important series
of legislative successes.
The full list of national events for Veterans and Military
Families month is available at https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/veteransmonthcalendar.asp.