Veterans Day 2023

Photo credit: AFRH

The Old Soldiers Home Foundation is once again filled with pride and gratitude as we reflect on the successful Veterans Day 2023 celebration at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. A heartfelt thank you to Recorded Future for returning as the organizing sponsor for this second annual event.

This year's festivities started with welcome remarks from AFRH CEO Steve Rippe with coffee and pastries from Dog Tag Bakery, which helps veterans transitioning to civilian life gain personal, social, and professional skills through their Dog Tag Fellowship Program.

At 11:00 AM, we gathered in the Hall of Honors for a commemoration led by the Home’s new Ombudsman Dion Dupree. Speakers included a welcome from AFRH Acting Administrator Patricia Howard, U.S. Army Lieutenant General Doug Stitt who returned again this year to offer keynote remarks, and a benediction by AFRH Chaplain Rev. John Goodloe. AFRH Residents placed a wreath and those gathered observed a moment of silence to honor veterans’ service.

The celebration continued downstairs with lunch from veteran-owned Pizza di Joey and Mission BBQ, and refreshments served at the Home’s bar, the Defenders’ Inn, where members of the Warfighters Motorcycle Club provided bartending support to AFRH barkeep and resident Sheldon Shorthouse. Resident DJ Billy White played music throughout the afternoon, while indoor games and a silent auction featuring autographed memorabilia and artistic creations added to the fun. Local youth advocate Genevieve Forster returned to mingle with residents and present a check from her latest fundraising efforts to combat loneliness among seniors and veterans. And past Foundation board chair Pat MacArevey and fellow “Misfit” Bernie Champoux made a special appearance to present a framed pennant signed by those who participated in the recent Band of Brothers golf rematch, paying homage to AFRH Resident and golf superintendent emeritus Fred Layman who passed away shortly after the match.

We extend our deepest appreciation to our sponsors who played a crucial role in the success of this event:

• Recorded Future

• Colossal

• Total Wine & More

• Mission BBQ

• Carahsoft

• Costco

• Born United

• Anheuser-Busch

• Monumental Sports

• International Spy Museum

• Dog Tag Bakery

• Pizza di Joey

• Warfighters Motorcycle Club, John Basilone Chapter

• KFast Solutions

• Annapolis Blues FC

To the AFRH Residents who contributed art pieces to the silent auction and crafts sale: Tim Brundle, John Smith, Pat McCarthy, Carol Rhan, Barbara Wilson, and Robert Farris.

To everyone who provided sweat equity to make the event happen: Lauren Mitchell, Travis Smith, Hilary Rosado, Paul Armbruster, Sheldon Shorthouse, Steven Briefs, Colby Shahan, Amanda Jensema, Carol Mitchell, Ritha Gaskin, and Marine Robbins.

We are already excited for Veterans Day 2024!