Welcome home event for veterans

VA Western New York Healthcare System will host its annual welcome home event and memorial ceremony from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. The event, held for the 10th time since 2004, will take place at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, One Naval Park Cove, Buffalo.

A memorial ceremony will be held at noon with a reading of the names of local service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country during the post 9/11 conflicts.

Open to all veterans and their families, activities include refreshments, an auto show, tours of the naval ships and activities for children.

Veterans will have the opportunity to enroll in VA health care and receive information about veterans benefits. Community agencies and VA health care and benefits counselors will be on hand with health, vocational, employment, educational opportunities and more.

"The event is bigger and better each year with the support of the Pathfinders, our Vietnam veteran volunteers, along with the Western New York community, partnering with VA to ensure veterans are connected to health and other services," said Kathy Smythe, program manager, Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn.

Show a VA or military ID card for free entry into the park. Admission fees have been donated by VA Western New York Pathfinders. For more information, call 716-862-7344.