Been wanting to check out the new ARC, or looking for ways to volunteer as we head into the holidays? Here’s a great reason to stop by! 🙌

Join VNN and other local organizations for Make a Difference Day and discover ways to put your time and talents to work in our community. Come meet our team, learn about our mission, and explore volunteer opportunities that fit your interests.

📅 Saturday, October 24
🕙 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Amend Recreation Campus (ARC), Billings

There’ll be food trucks, games, and prizes, too! Bring a friend, explore the new space, and find your way to make a difference.

Overview

A practical lunch & learn on benefits, estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and senior living options.

Conversations with Parents

Planning ahead can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This practical two-part Lunch & Learn series will help veterans and their families begin important conversations, understand their options, and organize the information they may need later.

Attend either class individually or join us for the complete series.

October 15: Checklists, Benefits & Planning Ahead

This introductory class provides a practical overview of:

• Important planning checklists

• Available benefits

• Estate planning

• Wills and trusts

• Powers of attorney

• Senior living considerations

November 19: Senior Living & End-of-Life Planning

The second class takes a closer look at:

• Senior living options

• End-of-life decisions

• Advance directives

• POLST—Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

• Organizing and communicating personal wishes

Resource Binder

A $15 fee covers a permanent resource binder filled with checklists and helpful information you can keep and update. The binder has a $30 value, and the fee may be paid at either class.

If you attend the first class and receive your binder, there is no additional charge for the second class. Those attending only the November class may purchase the binder for $15.

Lunch

You are welcome to bring your own lunch or order from the café inside the library. Café purchases are at your own expense.

Location

Billings Public Library
Large Conference Room, upstairs

Veterans and family members of veterans are all welcome. Whether you are planning for yourself or helping your parents prepare for the future, these conversations can make the next steps clearer and easier for everyone.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002747193769?aff=oddtdtcreator

The United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants from Washington, D.C. are embarking on an 11-day community relations tour to Montana.

The Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down returns to Libby for its 27th year, providing free services and resources for veterans, including haircuts, clothing, socks and underwear, lunch and refreshments, food boxes, VA staff, physical and mental health resources, benefits information, housing support, employment and aging services, and more.

Veterans should bring a DD214, VA card, or military ID. Free bus transportation for veterans will be available from designated pickup locations.

October 3-4, 2026

Saturday: 9am-3pm

Sunday: 10am-1pm, or while supplies lasts

Wear red. Show up. Remember Everyone Deployed.

Join VNN tomorrow, Friday, October 2, for RED Friday at Canyon Creek Brewing.

📍 Canyon Creek Brewing
3060 Gabel Road, Billings

🕓 4–8 PM

There are no dues, no agenda, and no formal program—just good people gathering to remember the many American service members currently serving away from home.

Stop in for a few minutes or stay awhile. Veterans, military families, friends, and community members are all welcome.

If you are in the area, stop by for a free cup of coffee and a donut!

Coffee tastes better when the table is full.

Join Veterans Navigation Network for RED Friday Coffee Call — a relaxed morning meet-up built around coffee, connection, and the kind of community that feels like somebody saved you a seat.

No speeches. No agenda. No awkward networking circle.

Just good coffee, good people, a few laughs, and a place where military service members, veterans, families, and supporters can start the day side-by-side.

RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, and Coffee Call is one simple way we keep that spirit alive — by showing up, wearing red, checking in, and making sure nobody has to navigate life alone.

Come before work. Come after school drop-off. Come in uniform, boots, ball cap, business casual, or whatever gets you out the door.

You don’t have to know anyone.

You don’t have to stay the whole time.

Just show up.

RED Friday Coffee Call
Great American Bagel
327 S 24th St W, Billings, MT
Third Fridays
6–10 AM

Coffee. Connection. Community.
Pull up a chair — we’ll be glad you’re there!

This isn’t a sit-down-and-be-quiet kind of night.

It’s a lawn chair, dinner plate, music in the air, flag in the background, “glad you made it” kind of night.

Join Veterans Navigation Network for our Thank You For Your Service Concert on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Red Oxx Events Lawn in Billings.

We’re bringing together First Responders - Military Service Members - Veterans and the families, friends, neighbors, and community members who stand beside them.

Dinner is provided at 6 PM, and the concert starts at 7 PM.

Jessica will kick things off as our opening act, with Lampman Hotel headlining.

No banquet tables. No formal program. Just good food, live music, familiar faces, new connections, and a night built around gratitude, camaraderie, and community.

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, grab your people, and come be part of an evening that says what words alone never quite cover:

Thank you for your service. We’re glad you’re here.

Red Oxx Events Lawn
324 N 13th St, Billings, MT

Friday, September 11, 2026
Dinner at 6 PM
Concert starts at 7 PM

Limited seating! Reserve yours now! A limited number of public tickets are available for $20/each; veterans, service members, and first responders and their immediate families should choose those (free) tickets!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thank-you-for-your-service-concert-tickets-1994698078649

You’re Invited!!

Community Rally is Sept. 10! This is our biggest party of the year and a chance to say "Thank you!" to all of our supporters. It's free and open to everyone in our community, and we're going to have a great time with:

Live music from El Wencho

Food trucks and beverages

Yard games and activities from our nonprofit friends!

Where everybody knows your name… and somebody’s probably wearing red.

Join us for RED Friday at Canyon Creek Brewing on Friday, September 4 from 4–7 PM, a casual gathering with cold drinks, good people, and the kind of camaraderie you don’t have to explain.

RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, and on the first Friday of the month, we’re bringing together Military Service Members and Veterans and the community that stands behind them.

No speeches. No stiff agenda. No awkward banquet vibe.

Just red shirts, real conversations, shared stories, a few laughs, and a place to land with people who get it.

Whether you served, are serving, love someone who does, work beside those who do, or simply want to show up in support — pull up a chair. You’re welcome here.

BREAKFAST EXCHANGE CLUB OF BILLINGS event!

Over 40 food trucks will be on location battling to see who's the best at the 8th annual Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone on Saturday, August 29th, 2026!
There will be cold beer, live music all day, and a fun area with free activities for kids. All of the proceeds from the event (10% of all food truck sales, 100% of all profits from beer sales & gate admissions) will be raising money for Veterans! What more could you want?!

The event will again be held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at 2915 Gabel Road in Billings, MT. - FREE shuttle available from approved parking lots to the front gate, watch our page for parking & shuttle information.
This fundraiser is hosted by the Breakfast Exchange Club of Billings.

Everything under the Big Sky. The Yellowstone International Air Show is a two-day spectacle of aviation and patriotism—headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels celebrating 80 years & America 250th.

VNN will be on location to meet veterans, as well as selling raffle tickets for our new Honda Pioneer 520 side-by-side! Come see us in the vendor section!

Join Veterans Navigation Network for a special United States Navy Community Briefing with Rear Admiral Matthew Case. Hear directly from Navy leadership about today’s Navy and its mission during Yellowstone International Air Show weekend in Billings.

This free event is open to veterans, active-duty service members, military families, recruiters and community members. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Meadowlark Brewing.

Friday, August 21, 2026
3:00 p.m.
Meadowlark Brewing
3970 Pierce Parkway, Billings, Montana

Free and open to the public!

Come grab some great coffee and a bagel and hang out with your community!! Open to everyone - currently serving, reserves, Guard, veteran... and the public! On Fridays we Remember Everyone Deployed, and this is a great chance to raise a cup in honor of our active troops all over the globe.

Thursday, Aug. 20

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Big Sky Room  |  Student Union Building

Rear Admiral Case will share insights on the current state of the U.S. Navy, the future of Navy Medicine, healthcare innovation, STEM education, workforce development, and leadership. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a moderated discussion and audience Q&A.

Whether your work is in education, healthcare, leadership, research, student success, or public service, this presentation offers a unique opportunity to hear from one of our nation's senior leaders in military medicine.

Following the program, guests are invited to stay for refreshments and informal networking.

RSVP is requested for planning and meal purposes.

Please complete the Rear Admiral Matthew Case RSVP by Monday, Aug. 10, to be included in the event. The RSVP form will ask for your name, department or organization, and any dietary restrictions or food allergies to assist with event planning.

For those who appreciate a calendar invitation for planning purposes, one will follow this email.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special event.

Respectfully,

Dan Carter

Director

University Communications & Marketing

(o) 406.657.2243  (c) 406.413.8924

1500 University Drive

McMullen Hall, Room 204

Billings, MT 59101

msubillings.edu • msubsports.com • msubillings.edu/citycollege

In celebration of #NAVYWEEK in Billings…

Join the Navy Band Northwest Brass Band for an evening of New-Orleans-style brass band music for FREE!

Rec2U will be there with games & fun!

Benefitting VNN and Make a Wish Foundation!

Where everybody knows your name… and somebody’s probably wearing red.

Join us for RED Friday at Canyon Creek Brewing on Friday, August 7 from 4–7 PM — a casual gathering with cold drinks, good people, and the kind of camaraderie you don’t have to explain.

RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, and on the first Friday of the month, we’re bringing together First Responders - Military Service Members - Veterans and the community that stands behind them.

No speeches. No stiff agenda. No awkward banquet vibe.

Just red shirts, real conversations, shared stories, a few laughs, and a place to land with people who get it.

Whether you served, are serving, love someone who does, work beside those who do, or simply want to show up in support — pull up a chair. You’re welcome here.

Wear red (or buy a RED VNN shirt!). Show up alone, or bring a friend (well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at Canyon Creek!). Come thirsty. Leave connected.

WARRIOR WISHES MONTANA Event!
Entry into the ballpark is free so come show your support. There will be food available to purchase as well as other items and other vendors. Proceeds go towards helping our Montana veterans. FMI: warriorwishesmontana.com

Coffee tastes better when the table is full.

Join Veterans Navigation Network for RED Friday Coffee Call — a relaxed morning meet-up built around coffee, connection, and the kind of community that feels like somebody saved you a seat.

No speeches. No agenda. No awkward networking circle.

Just good coffee, good people, a few laughs, and a place where military service members, veterans, families, and supporters can start the day side-by-side.

RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, and Coffee Call is one simple way we keep that spirit alive — by showing up, wearing red, checking in, and making sure nobody has to navigate life alone.

Come before work. Come after school drop-off. Come in uniform, boots, ball cap, business casual, or whatever gets you out the door.

You don’t have to know anyone.

You don’t have to stay the whole time.

Just show up.

☕ RED Friday Coffee Call
📍 Great American Bagel
327 S 24th St W, Billings, MT
🗓 Third Fridays
⏰ 6–10 AM

Coffee. Connection. Community.
Pull up a chair — we’ll be glad you’re there.

BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Event:
You are invited to attend OnRamp Hub: Montana Industry Exchange in Billings  

This program is designed to connect Montana companies, researchers, and ecosystem partners with Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana and provide a clear understanding of how to engage with defense innovation opportunities. 

Event Details 

• Date: July 29th  

• Time: 10:00-11:30 am  

• Location: Big Sky Economic Development 

The program will include an overview of how OnRamp Hub: Montana connects companies to defense innovation opportunities and supports navigation of engagement pathways.  

What to Expect 
• Learn how to navigate defense innovation pathways and opportunities 
• Connect with regional partners and stakeholders 
• Explore how your technology or capabilities may align with national security needs 
• Option to receive a commercialization readiness assessment and meet directly with our team 

If you are interested in a one-on-one meeting or receiving a readiness assessment, please indicate this on the registration form. One-on-one meetings will take place post OnRamp Hub: Montana brief.  

REGISTER HERE 

Who Should Attend 

• Companies developing commercial or dual-use technologies 

• Manufacturers, technologists, and startups exploring growth opportunities 

• University researchers and labs 

• Service providers supporting technology and commercialization 

• Ecosystem partners supporting innovation and economic development 

About OnRamp Hub: Montana 

Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana accelerates the integration of commercial technology into national security by providing a clear, accessible pathway for companies to engage. Through local engagement, ecosystem building, and targeted programming, OnRamp Hubs connects industry, academia, and partners to defense opportunities while helping companies navigate processes, understand requirements, and prepare for future transitions. 

We look forward to connecting with you in Billings.  

From Executive Producer Gary Sinise, and Director/Producer Jake Rademacher, in BROTHERS AFTER WAR Jake reunites with his brothers and the elite Soldiers and Marines he embedded with during the Iraq War. Intercutting footage past and present, he leads us on an insightful, humorous, and moving journey as we watch service members explore loss, meaning, and hope on their path from warfighter to veteran. Watch the trailer HERE

On behalf of the Gary Sinise Foundation, please join us for a free lunch, free movie, free journal, & free seminar for Service Members, Veterans, First Responders & their Family Members. 

 Saturday, June 20

 12PM–4PM

 AMC CLASSIC Billings 10

2456 Central Ave. 

Billings, MT 59102

 RSVP now: https://baw.mov/62026

Event Schedule for Brothers After War Workshop 

12pm - Watch the Award-Winning Documentary film, BROTHERS AFTER WAR - Enjoy FREE lunch & camaraderie of other Service Members!

2pm - Interactive, Instruction & Workbook Session with Certified Facilitators and the Filmmaker

4pm - Event Concludes