Organizers and veterans groups used the Jan. 13 meeting to publicize a slate of upcoming events and support initiatives.

Ryan Aguilara (peer service coordinator) announced the second annual Laredo Mar Fiesta 'Down and Dirty for Health' on March 28, a free community fitness and mental-health event that the City of Laredo is sponsoring. Aguilara said the event aims to unite veterans and the broader community, feature an obstacle course, provide mental-health resources and include food trucks and music.

Rivas (VFW) recapped recent community work — including care packages delivered to about 850 soldiers at Fort McIntosh — and invited committee members to a downtown buildings meeting Jan. 15. He announced a ribbon-cutting for tiny homes on Jan. 23 and said the VFW is soliciting partners and donors for that and other initiatives.

Rivas also said the VFW is planning a Memorial Day 5K (run/walk) in partnership with local groups and asked for event support and volunteers. The organization described an April 18 fundraising event tied to a national PTSD recovery program (identified as '22 0' in the meeting) that will combine music and awareness activities to raise donations for veteran rehabilitation programs.

Speakers asked organizers to notify the fire marshal and post event details on social channels; organizers said they would circulate flyers and post updates to Facebook and the committee chat.