Summer VetFest

Speak with experts who provide information and services for Veterans.

When:

Sat. Jun 13, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT

Where:

Sykes Student Union Center at West Chester University

110 West Rosedale Ave.

West Chester , PA

Get directions on Google Maps

Cost:

Free

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Join us for our free annual Veterans resource festival honoring Veterans and their families. This year we have partnered with the Chester County Veterans Affairs Office to bring together what we anticipate will be the largest gathering of Veterans community organizations in one location. Check your eligibility and enroll.  Bring a friend and help them register for the benefits they’ve earned. 

• Enroll with VA

• Check VA Benefits Eligibility

• Veteran Community Groups

• Education Opportunities

• Job Placement Assistance

• Homeless Outreach

• Women Veteran Support

• Justice System Support

• Health and Mental Health Services

Children and families welcome! While you’re there, you and your loved ones can enjoy free entertainment.

• Car show

• Face painting

• Balloon artist

• Games and other kids activities

This rain-or-shine event takes place Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at West Chester University, Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Avenue, West Chester 19383.

For questions, reach out to Shardae Wescott by calling 484-744-3269 or email shardae.wescott@va.gov

98 Octane Shows Up in Pittsburgh for 5.11 DAYS

On May 9, 2026, 98 Octane showed up in Pittsburgh for 5.11 DAYS at 5.11 Tactical Pittsburgh in collaboration with Brave Bean Coffee Company.

Military. Veterans. First responders. Families. Community members.

All gathered around something simple but powerful:

Coffee. Conversation. Connection. Mission.

This event was about more than showing up at a store. It was about meeting people where they are, standing shoulder to shoulder with the military, veteran, and first responder community, and continuing the 98 Octane mission of helping heroes live longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Brave Bean Coffee Company brought the veteran-owned coffee. 5.11 Tactical Pittsburgh opened the doors. 98 Octane came ready to connect, educate, listen, and plant seeds for better health, stronger habits, and long-term community impact.

This is what outreach looks like.

Not behind a desk.
Not waiting for people to come to us.
Not making health complicated.

Just real conversations with real people in real communities.

98 Octane exists to support the men and women who serve, protect, and lead. That means creating opportunities to talk about physical health, mental resilience, nutrition, purpose, and the small daily decisions that can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Huge thank you to Brave Bean Coffee Company for the collaboration and to 5.11 Tactical Pittsburgh for hosting us during 5.11 DAYS.

Pittsburgh showed up.
The community showed up.
And 98 Octane will keep showing up.

One conversation at a time.
One connection at a time.
One hero at a time.

Event Location:
5.11 Tactical Pittsburgh
7803 McKnight Rd, Unit A
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Event Date:
May 9, 2026

In Collaboration With:
Brave Bean Coffee Company and 5.11 Tactical Pittsburgh

🦃 THANKSGIVING EDITION of #MCM3
Military Connected Monthly Mentorship Meetup & Leading 2 Win
Last week at Capital Factory, our veteran community showed up.

We came together to connect, support, and lift up the #MilVet and First Responder community here in #CentralTexas. Breaking bread, sharing stories, and building momentum heading into the holidays. Representing the 98 Octane Foundation at #MCM3 always reminds me how powerful this group really is — connection, purpose, mentorship, and genuine support.

Huge thank you to everyone who made this meetup happen. Your energy fuels this community more than you know.

Special shout-out to Jake Finnegan of White Belt Racing - what he’s building for military and first responders through motorsports is absolutely next-level. The discipline, technical skill, and teamwork behind racing translate directly into the veteran community, and it's always great to connect with him. More to come on this. (soon) 🏎️ 🏍️

Here’s to every veteran and first responder who showed up ready to pour into each other. At 98 Octane, we’re all-in on whole-health : Physical, mental, and financial, because you deserve nothing less.

We showed up in force, educating, advocating, and preaching the good word of 98 Octane. Meeting people where they are, shaking hands, telling stories, and reminding our community that their well-being is worth fighting for.

VFW Post 4443 hosted the first-ever Veteran Smoke Classic, and it was everything Texas does best! BBQ, chili, and a whole lot of heart! Veterans, families, and supporters all coming together to connect, learn, and fuel each other forward.

We’re honored to stand alongside:
Texas Veterans Network Powered by Combined Arms • Texas Veterans Commission • Texas Veterans Land Board • The Mission Continues • 12 Fox Beer Co • Farmer Veteran Coalition • Leading 2 Win • Johanna Wynne • Marcelino Christie • Patty Morgan • David Dietsch • Lauren M. Postler, MSSW

It was our privilege to deliver the Friday Morning Keynote at the Global Mission Summit at Dallas College. A gathering of innovators, educators, and mission-driven leaders shaping the future of impact.

A heartfelt thank you to Michael T. Moe and Mike Hoque for inviting 98 Octane and for cultivating a space where organizations like ours can share how we’re transforming the health, wealth, and wellness of our Military, Veteran, and First Responder (MFR) communities. What you’re doing through Global Silicon Valley and Hoque Global is vital, inspiring, and catalytic for growth with impact.

Our mission is simple yet bold:
Empower 1,000,000+ heroes to live longer, stronger lives through education, advocacy, and community.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with leaders who share our passion for meaningful, lasting change.

Sharing the 98 Octane Mission at Mission to Marketplace

98 Octane was honored to be invited to speak at the Mission to Marketplace event alongside veteran leaders and entrepreneurs committed to service beyond the uniform.

This wasn’t about business—it was about mission.

We shared the heart of 98 Octane’s purpose: empowering 1,000,000 military members, veterans, and first responders to live longer, healthier, and more resilient lives through education, community, and practical tools that actually work.

At the center of the conversation was our guiding principle:
S.C.M. — Small Choices Matter.

Through the 98 Octane: Official Operator Manual, we showed how small, repeatable actions in health, mindset, and daily discipline can create massive long-term impact for those who have spent their lives serving others.

Events like this remind us why 98 Octane exists—to stand in the gap, bring people together, and turn shared experience into lasting change.

The mission continues.

Teaching Healthy Recipes to the Next Generation

The 98 Octane Foundation was grateful for the opportunity to spend an afternoon at G.W. Carver Middle School, teaching real-food skills to a group of curious, engaged middle school students.

We believe lasting health starts early. You can’t build a healthier America unless kids grow up with a strong foundation around food, fuel, and daily choices. This session focused on simple, practical lessons - what real food looks like, how it fuels the body, and why small choices matter.

A special thank you to Waco ISD for welcoming 98 Octane into their after-school program and making space for hands-on learning. When the healthy chicken tenders disappeared in minutes, we knew the lesson landed.

Moments like this reinforce our mission: fuel the next generation—one plate at a time.

To learn more about our work and stay up to date on future programs and events, visit 98Octane.org.

Fort Hood Outreach: Meeting the Mission Where Soldiers Are

The 98 Octane Foundation was grateful for the opportunity to return to Fort Hood and connect directly with soldiers and DoD civilians through a community outreach at Smellin Smoke BBQ.

We extend a sincere thank you to military leadership for supporting wellness conversations outside of service requirements, and to Dominic Askew for the hospitality and incredible food. While not every menu item may be “98 Octane approved,” the mission aligns perfectly: fuel the Military, Fire, and Rescue (MFR) community for long-term health, resilience, and success - during service and beyond.

This outreach was about showing up, listening, and sharing practical tools that help our service members live healthier, happier lives. We’re honored to continue building relationships with those who believe in protecting the health of the people who protect us.

Thank you, Fort Hood and Smellin Smoke BBQ, for welcoming 98 Octane back and supporting our mission.

To learn more about our work and stay up to date on where we’ll be next, visit 98Octane.org.

Friday, we had the honor of attending the National Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony at Patriots'​ Hall of Dripping Springs’, thanks to a gracious invitation from Patty Morgan, at the Texas Veterans Network Powered by Combined Arms. Patty's incredible work overseeing programs, referrals, and services for our Military communities, along with coordinating fundraising and partnerships, is truly inspiring.

We felt incredibly welcomed into the Austin community, and we're deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively to the vibrant Military and First Responder network here in Texas. Excited to continue growing, connecting, and uplifting our veteran communities - it's only up from here!

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

This past Saturday, the 98 Octane Foundation had the honor of walking in the 2025 City of Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade - and it was an unforgettable day filled with energy, camaraderie, and a whole lot of green.

We’re incredibly grateful to Justin Aglio, Penn State Outreach, and the City of Pittsburgh for inviting us to be part of this long-standing tradition. It was an honor to stand alongside our military members, first responders, veterans, and the broader community in celebration and unity.

Moments like these remind us why community matters—and why our mission to help heroes live longer, healthier lives continues well beyond any single event.

📸 Check out some of our favorite moments from the parade and learn more about our work below:

• Learn more about 98 Octane: https://www.98octane.org

• City of Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade: https://pittsburghstpatricksparade.com

• Penn State Outreach: https://outreach.psu.edu

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible—and to those who continue to support the mission.

#98Octane #StPatricksDay #PittsburghParade #BetteringLives