The Phillie Phanatic & Phillies Great Garry Maddox Honor Veterans at 8^th Annual Tribute July 30. Gorgas Park 6300 Ridge Avenue, Ridge Ave. Roxborough.  10am till 2pm

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 30, 2016 (10 am to 2 pm) and join the community for the 8th annual Hospitalized Veterans Tribute at Gorgas Park.  Plan to arrive prior to 10 am so you can line the WALK of HONOR as the Veterans from the Coatesville VA Medical Center arrive with motorcycle escort provided by Warriors’ Watch, American Legion Riders, and the Philadelphia Police Department.  Extend your hand and offer your personal THANKS to these veterans who have done so much for our country.

Come when you can, leave when you must.  This a family friendly event so bring the children and grandchildren out for a wonderful experience.  Bring family and friends and lawn chairs or blankets.  There will be FREE entertainment.  Enjoy food and beverages that will be available for purchase throughout the day or bring a picnic lunch.  This community event is sponsored by the 21^st Ward Veterans Association, Prism Engineering, Merion Concert Band, Friends of Gorgas Park, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Penn Medicine, and the Zamorski Family.

Enjoy a fantastic concert by the Merion Concert Band followed by performances from members of The Savoy Company and Old Academy Players.  Walk around and admire the classic cars from the past that will be on display courtesy of the Roxborough Ridge Runners Car Club.  Meet some of the motorcycle riders and look at their bikes. Learn about the great service that Warriors’ Watch provides to our returning Veterans.

Come out and say thanks to our Veterans and police officers who keep us safe in our community.  Visit civic organizations and others that provide services to our community.  There will be a van provided by the VA to provide information and assist Veterans with concerns about the VA benefits.  Dogs and their handlers form Therapy Dogs International (TDI) will be present and share the many benefits of therapy dogs.  Learn about the election process and see how voting machines work.

Keep alert!  Two Phillies baseball greats will make special appearances.  Phillies Center Fielder Garry Maddox, himself a Vietnam Veteran, will share his experiences and offer stories of hope and inspiration.  Children of all ages will be greeted by a large friendly Green Creature — AKA the PHILLIE PHANATIC — who has entertained millions of Phillies fans as he roams around beautiful Gorgas Park.

Participants/Supporters (List is still growing!) include: 21^st Ward Fourth of July Association, Church of St. Alban Episcopal, Mark Lally, Henry Houston American Legion, Leverington Presbyterian Church, Local Boy Scout Troops, Local Girl Scout Troops, Marchiano’s Bakery, Philadelphia Bible Society, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Andorra, Stanley’s True Value, Hardware, Acme Markets, Five Below, Brown’s ShopRite, Clare McIllvaine Mundy Funeral Home, Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, Koller Funeral Home, Herr Foods, Coca-Cola corporation, Pepsi Corporation, TastyKake, and Tasty Twisters, Mark Lally RIBS and others.

If your group, organization, or nonprofit would be interested in setting up a table to distribute information or promote your organization, please contact Bruce F. Hoffman, President, 21st Ward Veterans Association [267-304-5787;brucefhoffman@msn.com].  Thank a Veteran today as well as Saturday, July 30, 2016.

Go to:  https://www.facebook.com/21stWardVeteransAssociation/ or https://www.facebook.com/21st-Ward-Fourth-of-July-Association-422457357892744/ to read more info.