Every year, the City of Hampton and the Hampton Military Affairs Committee coordinate, sponsor or support special events created exclusively for military families living and working in Hampton, Virginia. We do this to express our heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated service of service-members, veterans, and their families, and to showcase the many wonderful venues, activities and opportunities that our city can offer to military families who choose to live and work in Hampton.
Some of our favorite past events are listed.
Little Heroes at Home: Celebration of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, and the Military Affairs Committee wants each child to know how much they are appreciated for their service too! In partnership with local businesses, media, and service organizations, the "Celebration of the Military Child" has become a favorite military-family event with entertainment, carnival activities, military resource vendors, and much more! It's a fun and free day of appreciation for local military families.
Transition on the Go!
The Hampton MAC has worked with the Peninsula Workforce Development Center, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), and multiple military-support employment and assistance organizations to create "Transition on the Go!, a transition and employment event for the military, veterans and their spouses alike.
Veteran Stand-Down
In 2013, the Hampton VA Medical Center and the Hampton Military Affairs Committee began coordinating Veteran Stand-Downs in Hampton, VA. These one-day collaborative events provide relief and crisis resolution to local veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. With assistance from government and community agencies, local churches, veteran service organizations, and scores of volunteers who serve the homeless, the Stand-Downs provide food, haircuts, clothing, showers, health screenings and referrals to a variety of other necessary services such as health and housing programs, employment assistance, and benefits and claims counseling. Participating VSO's have included local chapters of the DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Day of Remembrance and Hope
"Day of Remembrance and Hope," a memorial service for the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, was created to recognize our heroes and to demonstrate the unfaltering hope of Americans during difficult times. Invited guests included members of Congress, military leaders, first responders, community leaders, veterans, and family members of 9/11 victims. Click here for a video.
Hampton Holly Days Parade
The Hampton Military Affairs committee decorates its own float for the Hampton Holly Days Parade, the Peninsula's largest illuminated holiday parade. The MAC float celebrates the military influence in Hampton, Virginia and we invite military families to join us at this signature Hampton event to create their own special memory of the holiday season.
Heroes of Hampton Roads
On May 12, 2015, the Hampton Military Affairs Committee hosted a "Heroes of Hampton Roads" event to recognize both the Tuskegee Airmen of Hampton Roads and Andy Greenwell, a retired Hampton civil servant who was instrumental in naming the Ruppert Sargent Building in honor of Hampton's only Medal of Honor winner, First Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent, United States Army. Featured speakers included the Mayor of Hampton, retired and active duty military officers, and leaders from both the MAC and the local chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Over 120 individuals, including family members of the honorees, members of City Council, local city, business and civic leaders, TAI members, MAC members, and members of local Veteran Service Organizations, gathered together to honor these esteemed citizens of Hampton Roads. Click here for a video of the service.
