WASHINGTON — Yesterday evening President Donald J. 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

In addition to the local and regional events across the country, VA is conducting a number of national events, including:

•                      • The annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and leadership breakfast at the National Press Club

•                      • White House hosting Veterans state and local leadership event Nov. 15

•                      • Expansion of the ChooseVA branding campaign

•                      • Legal Services Week during the first week of November, providing free legal services to Veterans in need

•                      • VetTalkX events in nine locations, which are TEDx-type local activities featuring key Veterans sharing their stories of post-military life and connecting Veterans with their communities, all to help bridge the civilian-military divide.

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,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. 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.”

The full list of national events for Veterans and Military Families month is available at this link.

Sincerely,

Heather J. Patterson

Special Assistant to the VSO Liaison

Office of the Secretary

Department of Veterans  Affairs