The United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps will each celebrate their 250th anniversary this year and the Oneonta Veterans Resource Center announced it will host a birthday party recognizing that feat Saturday, June 21.
While the Army’s 250th birthday was June 14, the center “decided to wait a week to have the celebration to not conflict with the many Flag Day celebrations in the area so that veterans and community members are able to attend,” Case Manager Kerri Lincoln said in an email Monday.
The Navy will celebrate its 250th birthday Oct. 13 and the Marine Corps will celebrate its 250th birthday Nov. 10.
The Veterans Resource Center in the Armory at 4 Academy Street will hold the party from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday for anyone who’d like to attend, a news release stated. There will be birthday cake, coffee and refreshments served. SPF E4 Sadie Lincoln and veteran Zyrus Bautista will sing during the event.
The center asks that people reserve a spot for the party so they have enough food for everyone, however, it is not required. To reserve a spot, call 607-203-2228.
The Oneonta Veterans Resource Center is run by the Utica Center for Development, which was founded in 2008 and serves veterans in 12 upstate counties, helping with access housing assistance, VA health benefits, legal aid, food, transportation and other services, a Daily Star archive article stated. The center in Oneonta serves residents of Otsego and Delaware counties, Kerri Lincoln said.
UDC leased a 630-square-foot first floor office in the Armory to house its veterans services. It opened March 11, and “we have veterans stopping in for services every day,” Kerri Lincoln said.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.