Veterans, active-duty military members, spouses, families, first responders, and supporters are invited to gather for a free Heroes Breakfast on Saturday, July 25, from 9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. at HACC Gettysburg Campus, kicking off Operation Honor: Rural Salute. It will be held in Hoffman Room (room 130). The breakfast is fittingly called Breaking Bread with Heroes. The entire day is dedicated to connection, resources, and support for those who have served. After breakfast, the patriotic day continues with Family Fun at the Gettysburg Rec Park.
Founded by Michelle and Chris Lang, Operation Honor: Rural Salute was created to address the unique challenges facing veterans living in rural communities. “We started this after being personally affected by the lack of resources in rural areas, especially with access to military-connected mental health,” Lang said. “We’re the ones who get left out of the picture. When you’re on a base or near a big city, you’re surrounded by support. Many veterans come home to small towns where the nearest VA may be an hour or two away, and there’s nobody in the next field over who understands what you’re carrying. Rural folks are proud and self-reliant. Somebody has to go to them and that’s what we set out to do.”
Lang said that isolation can make those challenges even greater. “Distance is a big one because everything is further away,” she explained. “Spotty internet makes telehealth hard to use, fewer local jobs, and the plain fact that isolation hits different in a small town. When you’re struggling and you feel like you’re the only one, that’s dangerous.”
The morning Heroes Breakfast is designed to bring people together in a welcoming environment while providing practical information attendees can use long after the event.
“It’s an opportunity to come together for good food and a little mental health training, so folks walk away with some practical tools and not just a full plate,” Lang said. We’re expecting around 50 people, and everybody is welcome at the table.”
The breakfast is made possible through a partnership with the Robert Irvine Foundation. Lang said the foundation has played an important role in supporting the event.
“We’re fortunate to partner with them,” she said. “They have committed to provide the Heroes Breakfast at every one of our events this year at not cost, which is huge. What made it click is that they get it. They understand that rural veterans and spouses are often left out of the picture. Food brings people to the table who may not show up for anything else.”
Following breakfast, the day continues with Operation Honor: Rural Salute at the Gettysburg Recreation Park for Family Fun Day. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Veterans and their families and community members will have the opportunity to meet people from various organizations, participate in discussions, and enjoy entertainment throughout the day for free. There will be face painting, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, bounce house, as well as a DJ and live music. Health screenings will be available. Mark England, a Vietnam Veteran and local artist Alexia Christian will perform.
Rather than creating a traditional resource fair where attendees simply collect brochures, Lang said the focus is on building meaningful relationships. It will be a safe space open to everyone.
“We’re not planning to do a walk down a row of tables,” she said. “We built this to be a community day. The resources are all there, but it’s connection because it’s about relationships and not brochures. We want veterans to leave having actually talked to a real person.” She added, “We try to make this day as accessible as possible for families knowing that younger veterans aren’t coming out for events as much or even identifying as veterans. We want this to be a place where you can slide under the radar and still get the community, connection and resources you need without feeling like there’s a big target on you.”
Lang emphasized, “The whole point is that it’s built for everybody, so veterans, active duty, their spouses, and their families can all come and feel supported, and the broader community can come out too, meet these resources, and walk away better equipped to help the veterans in their own lives. That’s what makes it a day and not just a table.”
Lang is thankful for the warm welcome from the Adams County community. She hopes the event becomes an annual tradition in Gettysburg.
If you have not registered for breakfast, there are still seats available. Register and share the link: Breaking Bread with Heroes Breakfast
To learn more about Operation Honor: Rural Salute, visit: https://www.ohruralsalute.org/nc-2026
