Honoring Service, Strengthening Community: Veterans Day Weekend with the Herd

November 2025 - Veterans Day weekend was one of those moments that reminded us exactly why visibility matters.

The weekend began at the Run For The Troops Annual Dinner — an evening dedicated to honoring those who have served our country. This year, the Herd was present in a meaningful way.

We were proud to have two full tables of veterans — care partners and people living with dementia — gathered together in that space.

They were not separate. They were not sidelined. They were part of the larger veteran community.

And that matters.

The need for social connection does not disappear with a dementia diagnosis, nor does veteran status or personal identity. Watching members of the Herd reconnect with fellow veterans, share stories, and enjoy the evening alongside others who understand both service and sacrifice was quietly powerful. It was another reminder that community must remain accessible — at every stage of life.

The weekend continued with the Run For The Troops 5K, and Forever Young Run where more than 20 members of the Herd showed up in support.

We gathered not only to cheer on runners, but to help raise funds for Run For The Troops as they continue their important work supporting veterans.

Events like this strengthen connection beyond the arena. They connect the Herd to the greater veteran community. They reduce social isolation for care partners and their loved ones living with dementia, and they challenge assumptions about who belongs in public spaces.

A special thank you to Lazy J Ranch in Salisbury, MA for their continued partnership, and to Sugar and Rexi-Roo — the mini horses with very big hearts — who helped draw smiles and spark conversations throughout the day.

Veterans Day is about honor.

This year, it was also about presence.

The Herd showed up. Visible. Connected. Proud.

And as our veteran community grows within It Takes a Herd, so does our commitment to ensuring that those who have served — and their families — continue to experience dignity, connection, and belonging.