Veterans Day

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For the upcoming Veterans day, I am very grateful for what our men and women sacrifice for our country. We may be celebrating them, but I’m thankful for them every day all year long! 

Standing under the Hometown Heroes banner of my Poppop who served in the Navy.

What can we do to support our veterans?

Attend local events. Donate to charities/projects. Volunteer. Support veterans owned businesses.

  • Mystic VFW [event] is hosting their annual 11am ceremony on Veterans Day at the WWI Monument on Baptist Hill (Library Street + West Main Street). Anyone is welcome to attend.

The WWI Monument in Mystic on Library Street and West Main Street.

  • USSIV Groton Subvets [event] hosts ceremonies on Veterans Day. They also make lunches/brunches at their clubhouse. Be sure to check out the events and more information at their website here.

  • The Town of Stonington [donate] is working with the VFW in Pawcatuck, currently collecting donations towards the Veterans Monument project. It is their goal to build a Monument to honor Stonington veterans. More information here. As of August 3rd, they have surpassed $110,000 in donations. Let’s help them reach their goal of $200,000!

One of donation jars for the Stonington Veterans Monument at Indulge Coffee.

  • Dine at S&P Oyster in Mystic, CT on Veterans Day. Twenty percent of all sales that day will be donated towards Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Operation Stand Down Rhode Island [donate/volunteer/event], is a non profit organization based next door in Rhode Island. They focuses on helping veterans to find housing and services. If you are in Rhode Island, you can volunteer for the organization. You can also donate to them on their website here. Sometimes Operation Stand Down RI host local events.

  • V.E.T.S. (Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services) [veterans owned/donate/volunteer] based in Stonington, CT, provides equine-assisted healing therapeutic services for veterans. It is a place for veterans to engage with horses and do activities such as archery, wood crafting, etc. If you donate to them on the website here, it will help veterans to participate at no charge. Also on the website, under ‘programs’ you can see what volunteer opportunities are available on the horse farm. Be sure to check out their cool military-themed tees in the shop too! 

  • Submarine Museum in Groton [volunteer/donate], you can donate your time and become a docent for the museum. More information here on how to volunteer. You can also donate or support via shopping their store online here. The museum is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy. 

  • Bank and Bridge [veterans owned] is a brewery in downtown Mystic, it is in the old bank building and owned by a Marine Corps veteran. This is a great spot for a bite and drinks! 

Bank & Bridge brewery - outdoor patio. It is cozy right now with the heaters!

  • Mystic River Chocolate Cafe, [veterans owned] owned by a 3rd generation Navy veteran, they sell a variety of chocolate treats and drinks. I love picking up a few chocolate bars from there! My favorites are the Chocolate Vine, Pinot Noir, Blueberry and Black Cherry. During 2020, I ordered a few bars as a birthday gift for a family member who lives out of the area. I talked with the owner via email about shipping, they were super helpful. I love their non-dairy hot chocolate, it is delicious! Located in the Factory Square but available online here too. 

Mystic River Chocolate Cafe.

They have special Mystic River Bridge editions!

  • Absolute Bearing [veterans owned] is an online coffee company based in Mystic, owned by a Navy veteran. During the summers, you can find them at farmers markets. Shop online here. Their product is also available at Mystic River Chocolates (the business mentioned above). 

Absolute Bearing coffee sold at Mystic River Chocolate Cafe.

  • Mystic Army Navy [veteran family owned] is a long time Downtown Mystic business (28 years!). It was originally owned by two Veterans who have since passed away, it is currently owned by one of their daughters. Support this veteran-family owned business who sells military surplus! Shop online here.

Mystic Army Navy store in Downtown Mystic.

  • 13 Stars Hot Sauce [veterans owned] based out of RI is Veteran-owned. A portion of their profits are donated towards Veterans & First Responders causes. The hot sauce can be found at McQuade’s in Mystic, CT also at Ocean House and Dunn’s Corner Store in Westerly, RI. Their products are available to order online here. 

Some of 13 Stars hot sauces at McQuade’s store in Mystic.

Support Veterans out of area:

  • Climb-4, [veterans owned/donate] is an online charity founded by a veteran, Leslie (a wonderful person who I’ve got to know via Instagram and she’s also a Dalmatian mama!!). Climb-4 strives to help fight depression and PTSD by allowing veterans the opportunity to get outdoors. Donate towards the costs of the essential gears for veterans here. 

  • Got Your Six Coffee, [veterans owned] veteran-owned coffee company. The profits from their sales goes back in helping Veterans and first responders. They have strong passion in helping other veterans, with goals to eliminate veteran homelessness/suicides. Get your coffee, apparel or others here.

  • America’s Vet Dogs [donate] is an organization providing service dogs for Veterans and first responders. All services are provided at no charge for Veterans. If you recall President George H.W. Bush’s service dog, Sully came from this organization. Donate here at their website. Also on the website are apparel, accessories and products in the shop.

THANK YOU VETERANS,

I am grateful for each and every one of you EVERY DAY.

Land of the free, home of the brave!