The Veterans Dinner has been a tradition in Rockford for over 75 years. It began as a celebration of the Armistice of World War One and continues today to bring together area Veterans and people from the public and private sectors to honor all the veterans in our community.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Angelica ‘Angel’ Pilato, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Ph.D.

Lt. Col. Pilato takes you back to the Sixties, one of the most turbulent times in modern history. An unpopular war is raging, students are protesting, black neighborhoods are on fire, and women are demanding equality. Angel tells how these events affected her and her decision to join the Air Force. As the first woman Air Force officer assigned to manage an Officers’ Club and the first to run one on a fighter pilot base in Southeast Asia, she gives a unique perspective of the war. In her memoir, Angel’s Truck Stop, A Woman’s Love, Laughter, and Loss during the Vietnam War, she recounts starting out as a starry-eyed idealist only to realize that she’s going to have to learn how to manage the conflicts, challenges and choices she faces in her trailblazing position.

Social hour and cocktails will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The program will follow dinner. This year we will be offering a choice of three entrées – turkey, fish or vegetarian. Please make your selection at the time of ticket purchase. To purchase tickets contact Scott Lewandowski at 815-969-1999, or director@veteransmemorialhall.com.

Price: $40 per person | $320 for a table of eight