Eastern Essex District Dept of Veterans' Services

06/19/2026

This past Monday, our district veterans joined us for our first fishing trip of the year aboard the Yankee Fleet. The weather cooperated, the fish were biting, and everyone enjoyed a great day on the water together.

After a morning of fishing, participants enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch from the Rusty Can. Days like this are only possible because of partners like these and as demand for events like this keeps growing, so does our hope to do even more for the veterans in our district.

Take a look at this video highlighting some of the best moments from the trip. If you missed this one, there's still time to sign up for our next fishing trip on August 17. Know a veteran who'd love a day like this? Share this post and tag them.

06/18/2026

Ever wonder why your VA disability rating doesn't add up the way you'd expect?

If you have a 50% rating and a 30% rating, you don't just get 80%. The VA uses a system called "whole person math" and it trips up a lot of veterans.

The VA just dropped a new video breaking it all down:

- How the VA actually calculates combined ratings
- Why 70% + 30% doesn't equal 100%

Watch the full breakdown

06/17/2026

Last evening, VFW Post 1093 in Ipswich, MA held their annual Dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony — and we couldn't be prouder of the members who made it happen.

Retiring a flag isn't just an act. It's a tribute. To the sacrifices behind every star and stripe. To the courage, purity, and perseverance our colors represent.

Thank you to every Post 1093 member who participated. You carried out this tradition with the honor it deserves.

06/15/2026

Our first Eastern Essex District Department of Veterans’ Services fishing trip of the year was a great success!

Beyond enjoying a beautiful day on the water and a fantastic BBQ lunch provided by the Rusty Can, the event gave us the opportunity to connect one-on-one with many veterans and answer questions about VA benefits, state benefits, healthcare, disability claims, and other resources available to them.

These events are a chance to build camaraderie, check in with our veterans, and ensure they have access to the benefits they’ve earned through their service.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. I look forward to seeing you at our future events and continuing to serve the veterans of the Eastern Essex District.

See everyone on our next trip Aug 17th!

06/14/2026

This Sunday, June 14, marks two milestones that share a birthday. The United States Army turns 251, tracing its roots back to 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the first companies of riflemen, a full year before the nation they would defend even declared independence.

The same date in 1777 gave us the Stars and Stripes, which is why June 14 is also Flag Day.

For the soldiers among us, and for the families who served alongside them, the Army's birthday is a reminder of the long unbroken line they stepped into. And the flag we raise on Sunday is more than cloth and color; it's a thread connecting every generation that has answered the call. To the Army veterans across our seven towns, happy birthday, and thank you.

06/12/2026

Today, June 12, is Women Veterans Recognition Day, and the name itself carries a story worth understanding. On this date in 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law, giving women the legal right to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces rather than being sent home after each conflict ended.

The distinction between "Recognition Day" and the more commonly heard "Women Veterans Day" matters more than you might think, and so does the question that's quietly reshaping how we honor service: not "do you look like a veteran," but simply, "did you serve?" The full piece from VA gets into the history and why the words we choose make all the difference.

Women Veterans Recognition Day is celebrated on June 12th to honor the service and sacrifice of women who have worn the uniform.

06/11/2026

We are all ready to go for Monday morning. Thank you to everyone that signed up!
Meeting Place:
1 Parker St
Gloucester, MA 01930

Time:
7;30 am meetup and launching 8:00 sharp. All necessary fishing gear will be provided.

We return at 12:30 and BBQ lunch will be provided.
See you Monday!

We are hosting a FREE fishing trip for veterans of the Eastern Essex District on June 15, 2026.

The trip meets at Yankee Fleet in Gloucester at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 12:30 p.m., located at 1 Parker St, Gloucester, MA 01930. Lunch will be provided by the Rusty Can in Byfield.

This event is free to all Eastern Essex veterans. Space is limited, so please RSVP by contacting us at [email protected] or (978) 356-6699.

06/08/2026

Eastern Essex District Department of Veterans’ Services is proud to be attending the annual Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association (MVSOA) Conference in Plymouth, Massachusetts this week.

This conference provides an excellent opportunity for Veteran Service Officers from across the Commonwealth to come together, share best practices, receive important training updates, and strengthen our collective ability to serve veterans, service members, and their families.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from our colleagues, connect with state and federal partners, and bring back valuable information that will help us better advocate for the veterans in our district.

06/04/2026

Eligible Veterans can now submit mileage-only travel reimbursement claims through the VA Health and Benefits mobile app. This new feature saves time, reduces paperwork, and makes it easier to access your benefits with just a few taps on your mobile device.

Eligible Veterans can now submit and track “mileage-only” travel claims directly from a smartphone or mobile device via the VA Health and Benefits mobile app...

06/03/2026

Georgetown is kicking off a monthly Veterans' Coffee Social, and all veterans are welcome.

Join us Monday, June 16 at 0900 at the Georgetown Council on Aging, 51 North Street (the Old Perley School). Come for the coffee, stay for the connection and camaraderie. Just good company and a chance to swap stories with those who served.

This is the first of many, so help us start it off right. Veterans, please RSVP by calling 978-352-5726.

All branches, all eras, all veterans welcome.