Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 2:00 - 5:00pm

Porter County Expo Center - 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso

2:00pm - Doors Open & Cash Bar

3:00pm - Dinner, Veteran Recognition & Featured Speaker

For more information contact: valpoveterans@gmail.com or call Amy at (219) 531-8024.

Sponsorships Available

Sponsorships can be purchased online using the Purchase Tickets button above.

Contact valpoveterans@gmail.com or Amy Wulf at (219) 531-8024 for more information.

2024 Event Recap

The 8th Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner was a tremendous success with over 400 attendees and 168 Veterans were individually recognized for their service. Entertainment was provided by the VU Community Band and Wolffgang, a Hobart High School Choir.

Featured Speaker - Bill Hanna

The Spirit of Service: REflections from guarding the Tomb of the Unknown soldier an a veteran’s perspective on Leadership and public service

Bill Hanna is a United States Army Veteran. Bill’s military career spanned 1995 to 1999 and included serving as an Airborne Qualified Light Infantryman - commonly known as a Paratrooper. He also served as a member in the Army’s Official Presidential Escort, as a Sentinel and Head Trainer at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

2023 Event Recap

The 7th Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner was the largest event to date. The Porter County Expo Center was filled to capacity with 580 attendees. Over 100 Veterans were individually recognized for their service. Entertainment was provided by the VU Community Band and Wolffgang, a Hobart High School Choir.

Featured Speaker - Jessica Lynch

Her war, her story: reflections of an Iraq war pow

Jessica Lynch is a former United States Army Private First Class (PFC) and a former prisoner of the Iraq war. Lynch’s recovery, was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II and the first ever of a woman. Lynch has since been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Prisoner of War Medal. She has also been named West Virginian of the Year as well as Glamour Women of the Year.