VBC programs connect and heal,
educate and inspire.
Everyone is always welcome.
educate and inspire.
Everyone is always welcome.
The Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) is the nation’s premier non-profit for connecting veterans with their fellow Americans through inspiring stories of service.
Our goal is to build a nation that understands and values the experiences of our military veterans so that every day is Veterans Day.
We do this by bringing together–in-person and online–men and women from all walks of life, all ages and eras, and every branch of service to talk about what they’ve seen and done. We want to hear how people’s military service has shaped them. “Every Veteran Has a Story” is our slogan. We want to hear every one.
We share the stories we hear in our weekly VBC Bulletin email newsletter and our quarterly VBC Magazine. We also record a weekly podcast, The Scuttlebutt, about military culture from the people who lived it.
We do all this because we believe the best way to thank a Veteran is to listen.
Listening is what the VBC has been doing for the past 15 years, when we held our first small event outside of Pittsburgh. Since then, we’ve held over 1,000 programs in-person and online and have welcomed over 20,000 different people at our events, Veterans and non-Veterans coming together to listen.
We value every veteran’s experience, no matter who they are or when or how they served. We’ve seen up close the power of storytelling, as the memories shared at VBC events connect, heal, educate, and inspire an ever-expanding circle of listeners.
At any given event, you might hear from the newest members of Space Force to a 101-year-old World War II veteran.
We’ve welcomed Tin Can Sailors and Montford Point Marines, Vietnam Sky Soldiers and Cold War intelligence officers. We’ve heard stories from the Horn of Africa to Antarctica, the Bering Sea to Diego Garcia, and all points in between.
LORAN Coast Guardsmen and Radar Station Airmen have told us about serving in some of the most remote places on earth.
Korean War veterans have borne witness to their “forgotten war.”
Other “forgotten warriors” shared their memories of Beirut, Grenada, and Mogadishu.
Some of the first women authorized for combat shared stories of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and of the Purple Hearts they received.
Join us at our events and help keep these stories alive.
All you need to do is listen.
Featured Stories
UPCOMING EVENTS
Navy veteran and photographer Richard Sherman joins us to talk about his new book, Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned.
The book presents a deeply moving tribute to the American soldiers who rest in the 23 overseas military cemeteries from World War I and World War II. This work, the culmination of eight trips across five years and three continents, is both a historical document and a poignant meditation on sacrifice.
Sherman’s book is structured into three interconnected sections. The first showcases sweeping architectural photographs that capture the solemn grandeur and meticulous design of these memorial grounds. His lens balances the monumental—the vast seas of white crosses—with intimate and unexpected moments, like a craftsman engraving a headstone. These images provide a visual narrative of loss and commemoration, resonating with both technical precision and emotional depth.
The second section delves into over 59 biographical portraits, meticulously researched and vividly presented. Sherman highlights a diverse array of individuals, including Medal of Honor recipients, siblings who served together, nurses, chaplains, and civilian specialists. Drawing from personal letters, family photos, and historical accounts, he transforms these names and dates into poignant human stories. The biographical sketches offer readers a glimpse into the lives and sacrifices of these individuals, bridging the gap between history and humanity.
The final section, titled “Taps,” serves as a photographic meditation, reflecting on the enduring significance of these sacred spaces. Sherman allows his photographs to speak volumes, with text appearing sparingly to enhance rather than overshadow the imagery. His approach underscores the power of visual storytelling, allowing readers to engage with the material on an emotional level.
Though the repetition of certain images, such as rows of crosses, may feel redundant at times, it serves as a reminder of the scale of sacrifice. This minor flaw is overshadowed by the book’s heartfelt presentation and the depth of its content.
Never Home is a profound exploration of the human cost of war and a testament to the enduring legacy of those who gave their lives in service. It will resonate deeply with military families, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to understand the personal and collective impact of war.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
The Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pods System (TARPS) was a significant advancement in reconnaissance technology, particularly for the U.S. Navy during the late 20th century. TARPS, developed and deployed during the Gulf War (1990-1991), was a crucial system designed to enhance real-time intelligence-gathering capabilities for naval aviation, especially for carrier-based aircraft.
The system was integrated into F-14 Tomcat fighter jets, allowing them to conduct high-resolution imagery and reconnaissance missions. TARPS utilized a sophisticated suite of sensors, including high-definition cameras and infrared systems, to capture imagery and data over enemy territory. This made it a valuable asset for targeting and surveillance, providing crucial intelligence during the conflict.
One of the individuals behind the deployment of TARPS was Chris Bacon, a Navy veteran who played a role in the system’s operational success. In August 1998, at 17 years old, Chris Bacon joined the Navy and started basic training in Orlando, Florida. After graduation, he went to Photo School in Pensacola, Florida. Upon graduating, he received orders to report to the VF-103, F-14 Fighter Squadron. VF-103 was part of Carrier Air Wing 17, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The success of TARPS marked a significant milestone in the evolution of naval reconnaissance capabilities, enabling Navy pilots to gather detailed intelligence in real time while remaining out of the enemy’s direct line of fire.
During the Gulf War, the U.S. Navy utilized TARPS extensively for various missions, including target identification, battle damage assessment, and strategic reconnaissance over Iraq and Kuwait. The system’s ability to gather high-quality imagery and intelligence played a vital role in guiding airstrikes and shaping military strategy. The data collected by TARPS provided commanders with timely and actionable intelligence, which greatly enhanced the effectiveness of allied forces during the conflict.
TARPS became a benchmark for future reconnaissance technologies, demonstrating the importance of integrating advanced sensors into military aircraft to improve operational effectiveness. It also highlighted the growing importance of real-time intelligence in modern warfare, a trend that would continue to evolve in subsequent conflicts and military technologies.
In addition to its use in the Gulf War, TARPS continued to serve as a vital tool in the U.S. Navy’s arsenal for many years after the conflict. It contributed to numerous intelligence-gathering operations and was a crucial component of naval reconnaissance efforts in the post-Cold War era. TARPS’ legacy paved the way for future advancements in aerial reconnaissance systems and underscored the importance of technological innovation in military operations.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
PAST EVENTS
GET INVOLVED TODAY
The mission of the Veterans Breakfast Club is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories to ensure that this living history will never be forgotten. We believe that through our work, people will be connected, educated, healed, and inspired.
INTRODUCING THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
Preserving veterans’ stories so that this living history is never forgotten.
We pair passionate VBC volunteers with military veterans for one-on-one oral history interviews over Zoom. If you are a veteran, or you know a veteran, who would be interested in sharing his or her story with us, let us know. If you are someone interested in conducting these interviews, please reach out!
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