Chillicothe VA Medical Center to celebrate 17th annual Veterans Appreciation Night July 19

By David Alan Graves
Public Affairs Officer, Chillicothe VAMC

The Chillicothe VA Medical Center is proud to announce the 17th Annual Veterans Appreciation Night, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025. 

This highly anticipated event will be held at the Chillicothe VA campus, located at 17273 state Route 104, starting with a 5k at 9 a.m. and culminating with a fire work show following the Chillicothe Paints vs Lafayette Aviators baseball game at VA Memorial Field.

Veterans Appreciation Night is a cherished tradition for our local community, a time to honor and celebrate the incredible service and sacrifice of our Veterans. The Chillicothe VA Medical Center invites all Veterans, their families, and community members to join us for a full day of camaraderie, entertainment, and gratitude.

The event will feature:

• Veterans Appreciation 5k: Starting at 9:00 am, runners make their way through the scenic VA campus, spanning over 300 acres, starting and finishing at VA Memorial Stadium.

• Live Music and Entertainment: Local favorite ‘Seven Mile Bluegrass’ will be filling the air with music from noon to 4:00 pm.

• Free Food and Refreshments: Local food truck favorites Up In Smoke, Anchor house Rolling Bistro, and Three Happy Hearts Ice Cream will be set up in the middle of it all!

• Veterans Resource Fair: Numerous organizations/VA services will be on-site to provide information and resources tailored to veterans' needs.

• Historical Tours:  Guests can take part in a trolley tour showcasing historic Camp Sherman from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm or walk through the Mace House filled with artifacts detailing a rich military history!

• Family-Friendly Activities: Fun activities for children and families, including games and crafts.

• Special Recognition Ceremony: A heartfelt tribute to honor our veterans and their contributions to our nation.

• Veterans Appreciation Baseball Game:  Our Chillicothe Paints host the Lafayette Aviators with the first pitch coming at 7:05 pm. Pregame activities start at 6:30 pm.

“This event is a special opportunity for the community to come together and show our appreciation for our Veterans,” said Ken Mortimer, Medical Center Director of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. “We are grateful for their service and are committed to providing the best care and support possible.”

All events and activities are free of charge.  Parking will be available on-site.   

To register, leave a voicemail at (740) 772-7070 or email VHACLLVeteransAppreciationNightRegistration@va.gov.

No tickets will be mailed prior to the event and must be picked up at our registration booth, starting at 3 p.m., the day of the event. For more information about the 17th Annual Veterans Appreciation Night, please contact the Chillicothe VA Medical Center at (740) 773-1141 or visit www.va.gov/chillicothe-health-care/events/.

Join us for an evening of celebration and recognition as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We look forward to seeing you there.