ESCANABA — The VA Vet Center in Escanaba will be holding an open house and summer grill out to celebrate the Vet Center Program’s 40th Anniversary at 11 a.m. July 12.

Veterans, active duty servicemembers, their families and the general public are welcome. The Vet Center is located at 3500 Ludington St.

The open house will begin at 11 a.m. with opening remarks honoring Vietnam veterans for initiating and starting the program in the 1970s followed by a cookout. Staff from the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center, Veteran Service Offices, Michigan State Extension, and other agencies will also be on hand to assist veterans and inform them of programs that may benefit them.

Public Law 96-22 was signed on June 13, 1979 establishing the Vet Centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs in response to Vietnam combat and era Veterans not accessing VA services at the same levels as Korean and World War II veterans.

Today, 300 Vet Centers and 80 Mobile Vet Centers provide community-based counseling for a wide range of social and psychological services, including confidential readjustment counseling, outreach and referral to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components and their families.

Individual, group, marriage and family counseling are offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services at no cost. Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.

Any questions regarding the open house or services provided by the Vet Center can be directed to the Vet Center at 906-233-0244.