Eastern Essex District Dept of Veterans' Services

08/31/2026

From the NPS website:

"Current US military and dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans are eligible to receive free annual or lifetime passes which cover entrance or standard amenity (day-use) fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational lands. These free passes are a way to thank US military members for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters."

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm?fbclid=IwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyaHhLZWlPMERnZk5sd2hpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm6wnExaHFw_8aQ7rhsQR1mrN8FF76aLohTlE2tya2FbdI7jCRYIKOFP2y1Q_aem_v5qtB_eYWOvfESBJAfMu5A

You served America, now go see it!⛰️

Veterans get free entrance to national parks YEAR ROUND.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

08/28/2026

The Student Veteran Council (SVC) will provide veteran leaders with the opportunity to directly influence student veteran life on campus and across the Commonwealth.

Apply here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/student-veteran-council-application?fbclid=IwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2eURFbE03RVkwdElYdWNEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhxNqq2jTf14pE9zw9AZde_OG-OGp4mZS3giiu327nsbNeYNnfWgLL_Jrj29_aem_WCw39QjzI4M0_u2lwYeSZg

Are you a student veteran who’s headed back to school in Massachusetts this fall?

Whether you’re attending a university, community college, or another institute of higher education, the state’s Student Veteran Council is here to serve and amplify your voice!

Learn how to advocate for yourself and your community by taking part in shaping the state of student veteran affairs in the Commonwealth.

Last year, the average age of members was 36, five military branches were represented, and 20 colleges participated statewide!

Get involved by filling out the SVC application by Sept. 25

Apply Here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/student-veteran-council-application

08/27/2026

Boston Veterans Job Fair with exhibitors such as: Fidelity Bank,
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Boston Children's Hospital, and The Kraft Group

Thursday, September 3, 2026
11 AM - 3 PM
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, 02035

08/24/2026

25th Anniversary of September 11th

Town of Ipswich MA and Ipswich Fire Department invites all families and community members to join in solemn remembrance on the 25th anniversary of those who were killed in the attacks on 9/11/2001, and those we have lost since from the effects of World Trade Center-related illnesses.

Friday, September 11, 2026
Fire Headquarters - 55 Central Street, Ipswich, Massachusetts

Gather: 8:30 AM
Ceremony Begins: 8:45 AM
Anticipated conclusion: approximately 9:30 AM

08/21/2026

The EOVS Veteran Ready Business program aims to educate businesses about the value of hiring veterans and their spouses.

By certifying as a Massachusetts VRB, employers will demonstrate their dedication to veterans and their families. Certified VRB businesses receive:

-Notification of veteran hiring events
-A veteran employee resource guide
-Exposure to veterans seeking VRB employment opportunities
-Listing on the EOVS VRB webpage
-A copy of the ‘Massachusetts Veteran Ready Business’ logo to display on your website

Massachusetts employers: did you know you can become certified as a Veteran Ready Business? The process is simple and free to apply.

Find out more here: https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-veteran-ready-business-program

08/19/2026

Today we want to talk about the VA Caregiver Support Program.

It's one of the most valuable benefits VA offers, and also one of the most misunderstood. There are actually two programs under that name, with different eligibility rules and different levels of support, from training and respite care all the way up to a monthly stipend and health coverage for a family caregiver.

In this video, we walk through how both programs work, who qualifies, what VA considers caregiving.

If there's someone in your family helping you get through the day, this is a good place to start.

08/18/2026

Hands-on sailing with other vets! Learn more at www.veteransonthebay.org

Founded by a combat Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans on the Bay is a nonprofit organization that offers free sailing trips on Narragansett Bay for Veterans to foster connection, calm and community. Learn more at www.veteransonthebay.org

08/17/2026

We had a great day out on the water today for our Veterans Fishing Trip.

A big thank you to Yankee Fleet for getting everyone out on the water and making it such an enjoyable trip, and to Rusty Can for providing a great meal when we got back.

Good food, good company, and a beautiful day on the water. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible, and especially to the veterans who joined us.

08/12/2026

On Friday, September 11, a National Day of Service and Remembrance, Home Base and Project 351 will co-host the 2026 9/11 Service Project, presented by the Hanscom Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation, on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.

Volunteers will come together to build care packages and write letters of support for Veterans and Service Members serving at home and abroad. It's a meaningful way to give back to those who have given so much.

How you can help:

✉️ Volunteer – Sign up to join the day of service: http://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeeIDjm53g9fgn.../viewform

📦 Donate items – Donation shortages are anticipated this year. Help fill care packages through the Amazon wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32KZPU60DZ74S

For more information, visit: fundraise.massgeneralbrigham.org/event/e815556

On Friday, September 11, a National Day of Service and Remembrance, Home Base and Project 351 will co-host the 2026 9/11 Service Project presented by Hanscom Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.

🤝 Volunteers will build care packages for and write letters of support to Veterans and Service Members at home and abroad. To sign up, please visit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeIDjm53g9fgnX42yHmQrihjAduO7Wu0yi5FxodJi_BeYrow/viewform.

📦 We are anticipating donation shortages this year. Contributions to help us fill care packages are now being accepted at amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32KZPU60DZ74S?ref_=wl_share. Please note that all items must be delivered by Monday, Aug. 31, to Project 351, 500 Rutherford Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02131.

ℹ️ Additional information is available at fundraise.massgeneralbrigham.org/event/e815556.

📷: Rose Kennedy Greenway

08/10/2026

Today is Agent Orange Awareness Day. 🎗️

It's a day that doesn't get talked about enough. During the Vietnam War, millions of gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed — and the poison didn't stop when the war ended. It's still here, passed down through generations.

Behind every statistic is a real person. A dad or mom who came home different. A child born with challenges no one could explain. A veteran still fighting a battle the rest of us never see.

So today, let's just take a minute. To remember. To say thank you. To make sure these stories don't get forgotten.

Today is Agent Orange Awareness Day. We have worked to raise awareness, educate, and remember the sacrifices of all those affected by Agent Orange, including veterans and their families in the ongoing battle against the deadly effects of exposure. Resources and information about VVA's work here: https://vva.org/what-we-do/outreach-programs/agent-orange/