Today is Veterans Day, and the City of Summerville will honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces with its annual Veterans Day Parade, followed by a special gathering and meal for local veterans and their families.
The City of Summerville will honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces with its annual Veterans Day Parade and a special luncheon on Wednesday, November 11.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced plans to hire more than 2,000 additional employees during fiscal year 2027 to help process the growing number of disability and pension claims filed by veterans.
The City of Summerville is inviting veterans and the community to take part in a Veterans Day parade and luncheon on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The Veterans Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, also known as Dowdy Park, in downtown Summerville. Participants are asked to assemble at 9:30 a.m.
The parade will travel from Veterans Memorial Park to Commerce Street before returning to the park.
Golf carts and vehicles will be available for veterans who would like to participate but prefer not to walk the parade route.
Following the parade, veterans are invited to a special luncheon at the Chattooga County Memorial Home beginning at 11:45 a.m.
The City of Summerville encourages residents to come out and show their appreciation for the sacrifices and service of local veterans.
The annual observance provides an opportunity for the community to recognize those who have served their country and thank them for their dedication and commitment.
Lyerly Elementary School will host a special Veterans Day program on Friday, November 6, to recognize and honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The program will begin at 9 AM in the school gymnasium, with students presenting songs, readings and music in tribute to America’s veterans.
School officials are inviting veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families to attend the ceremony, which will provide students an opportunity to express their appreciation for the service and sacrifices of military members.
The program is part of the school’s observance of Veterans Day, which is officially celebrated on November 11 each year.
Lyerly Elementary School encourages families and community members to attend and join students in honoring those who have served their country.
Veterans and their families throughout Chattooga County are invited to attend the annual Veterans Day Lunch on Wednesday, November 11, at the Chattooga County Memorial Home in Summerville.
Local veterans are invited to enjoy coffee, pastries and fellowship today, Tuesday, October 13, during the monthly Veterans Coffee & Company gathering at the Chattooga County Library in Summerville.
The event takes place from 10 AM until 11 AM at the library, located at 360 Farrar Drive in Summerville.
Hosted by the Chattooga County Library and Transitions Hospice Care, the gathering provides veterans with an opportunity to connect with fellow service members, share stories and enjoy camaraderie in a welcoming environment.
Veterans Coffee & Company is held on the second Tuesday of each month. Organizers encourage veterans throughout Chattooga County and surrounding communities to attend.
The event includes complimentary coffee and pastries.
For more information, contact Irene at Transitions Hospice Care at 678-386-5364 or Shelly at the library at 706-857-2553.
The Chattooga County Republican Party will hold its September meeting Tuesday, September 22, at 6 PM at the party’s new headquarters in the Hurley Crossing Shopping Center, located at 11264 Highway 27.
U.S. Congressman Clay Fuller, who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, will be the guest speaker. Fuller took office in April following a special election earlier this year.
Party officials say the meeting will include discussion of the upcoming November election and the party’s efforts to encourage voter turnout. Candidate yard signs will also be available at the headquarters for those interested.
The local party is also continuing a fundraiser for its Veteran Wall at the headquarters. Stars are available for $5 each and may be purchased in honor or memory of a veteran. Organizers ask purchasers to provide the veteran’s name, branch of military service and whether the star is being placed in honor or memory.
Information and payments for the Veteran Wall may be mailed to Chattooga County Republican Party, Attn: Veteran Wall, P.O. Box 656, Summerville, GA 30747. Payments may also be made through Cash App at $ChattRepbulican14.
For additional information about the meeting or Veteran Wall project, contact Chattooga County Republican Party Chairwoman Meredith Rosson at 706-331-5547.
Veterans who receive a “Choose VA” postcard in the mail over the next several weeks should not throw it away.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a major milestone in processing disability claims, with the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits dropping below 70,000 for the first time in more than six years.
According to the VA, the number of disability compensation and pension claims pending longer than 125 days—the department’s definition of a backlog—has fallen below the 70,000 mark for the first time since February 2020. The agency says the backlog has been reduced by more than 74 percent since January 2025.
The VA also reports that it is processing claims faster than at any point in its history. The average time to complete a disability compensation or pension claim is now 77.7 days, a record low. Since the beginning of 2025, the department says it has completed more than one million claims in fewer than 30 days.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said the improvements mean faster decisions, better service, and quicker access to benefits for veterans and their families.
The agency also highlighted several additional accomplishments over the past year, including opening 38 new VA health care facilities, processing more than 3 million disability compensation and pension claims during Fiscal Year 2025, offering veterans more than 3 million appointments outside normal business hours, and permanently housing 51,936 homeless veterans, the highest annual total in seven years.
Veterans who have not yet applied for benefits or health care are encouraged to visit VA.gov or Choose.VA.gov to learn more about available programs and begin the application process.