The Ravenna Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic will once again recognize the services of veterans throughout Portage County. The Ravenna VA will host its third annual Vet Fest celebration on Aug. 22 at 6751 North Chestnut Street beginning at 11 a.m.
“I would say that it is a significant event for us,” Ravenna VA Facility Director Ginger Malcolm told The Weekly Villager on July 17. “We do one large event every year. There are quite a few people involved in planning it and getting things set up for it. There is a lot for our veterans and their families, we really want to give people opportunities to understand what their resources are through the VA.”
The day of celebration will not only recognize the services of veterans scattered throughout Northeast Ohio but celebrate 250 years of military service to the United States in commemoration of the calendar year being the Country’s 250th anniversary.
The big day will feature musical entertainment from Brooks Music, a DJ Service company in Ravenna, and activities for families to enjoy such as bounce houses, a giant game of Jenga, a face-painting area and a gaming area.
According to Malcolm, the Ravenna VA had hosted smaller annual celebrations in the past with the same goal in mind but just recently hosted Vet Fest three years ago, as it had already become an annual tradition for outpatient VA clinics from the Cleveland VA.
In only its third year, Malcolm said that the Ravenna VA’s new summer tradition has grown quite the following.
“The last couple of years that we have had it people were thrilled, they were ‘We are so happy that you are having this. We will definitely be here next year,’” noted Malcolm. “I just think that word keeps spreading so I think it is going to continue to grow and be successful.”
Malcolm said that a summer celebration enables the Ravenna VA to clarify what its primary goals are, as it serves as a vehicle to help veterans receive primary care treatment for their physical and emotional trauma suffered in the line of duty.
“We are an outpatient clinic, we work for the veteran’s department, the health veterans, the Veterans Health Administration so we are the hands-on medical care for veterans,” she added. “That is what we do at our clinic.”
Malcolm acknowledged that it is widely assumed that the Ravenna VA can only assist veterans who suffered physical injuries from battle but stressed that the Ravenna VA’s services apply to veterans who have suffered emotional trauma.
“I think that these types of events really do help get the word out and maybe change some misconceptions that people have of who is eligible,” she said. “There are a number of people who are eligible for VA health care whether they had an injury as a result of their time in service or not so that is a message we want to get out to people.”
Malcolm added that the annual Vet Fest has enabled the Ravenna VA to attract new patients and its quest is aided by having its administrative and medical care staff attend the event.
She said that the Ravenna VA’s dealings with veterans often include veterans who have difficulty socially engaging with the outside world, so the Vet Fest acts as a safe space for them.
“It is nice to have a designated four hours that you stand around and talk with people and enjoy getting to know people so I think it is very beneficial and it helps people who may be a little reticent interacting with people to realize we have got good people here,” Malcolm said. “I think it just helps people see that, the staff here at the Ravenna VA is amazing.”
Malcolm highlighted the importance of Vet Fest not only being aimed at local veterans but also targeted at the families of veterans to laud them for their support for their loved ones who served in the armed forces.
“We try to make it a fun place because we all understand that it is not just the veterans themselves, it does involve family, veterans are supported by their families, so we also want this to be a great day for their families,” she said.
