On January 21, 2026, Georgia’s veteran community will once again come together in a powerful show of unity, advocacy, and resolve during Hats on the Hill, a statewide veterans advocacy event taking place at Liberty Plaza, directly across the street from the Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta. Led by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Georgia, this highly anticipated event is coordinated in close partnership with Georgia’s major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Community Veteran Engagement Boards (CVEBs), and numerous veteran-focused nonprofit and advocacy groups from across the state.
Hats on the Hill is more than a gathering; it is a call to action. Veterans, family members, caregivers, survivors, and supporters are encouraged to attend this free event and stand shoulder to shoulder in support of policies that directly impact the lives of those who have served. This inaugural Hats on the Hill event provides a vital platform for Georgia’s veteran community to speak with a unified voice on the issues that matter most, ensuring lawmakers understand the real-world consequences of their decisions.
An Open Invitation to Georgia’s Veteran Community
Hats on the Hill 2026 is open to all regardless of branch of service, era served, organizational affiliation, or political background. Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, Gold Star families, caregivers, and civilian supporters are all welcome to attend.
By gathering at Liberty Plaza, participants send a visible and unmistakable message to state lawmakers: Georgia’s veterans are engaged, informed, and committed to advocating for policies that strengthen the veteran community statewide. Wearing organizational hats, jackets, or insignia is encouraged as a symbol of pride, service, and unity, hence the name Hats on the Hill.
Coordinated Advocacy Across Georgia
The great strength of the Hats on the Hill event lies in its collaboration and unified advocacy. The planning and execution of Hats on the Hill 2026 reflect months of coordination through Georgia Veterans on the Hill, a broad-based alliance bringing together Georgia’s leading veteran advocacy entities to speak with one voice on shared priorities. This coordinated effort, including:
- Major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
- Community Veteran Engagement Boards (CVEBs)
- Veteran-focused nonprofits and alliances
- Service providers and advocacy partners
This collective approach ensures that advocacy efforts are unified, focused, and representative of veterans across urban, suburban, and rural Georgia alike. Hats on the Hill is not about advancing a single organization nor a specific political party; instead, it is about advancing Georgia’s veterans as a whole.
Advocacy with Purpose: Key Legislative Priorities
Hats on the Hill 2026 will focus on several urgent issues impacting veterans and their families across the state. These priorities reflect both long-standing concerns and emerging threats facing Georgia’s veteran community. Some of these priorities include but are not limited to the fight against unaccredited claims agents, the need for improved funding for Georgia Department of Veterans Service, and the urgent need for more state-run veterans homes.
Fighting Back Against Illegal and Predatory Claim Sharks
One of the most pressing issues at the forefront of Hats on the Hill 2026 is the continued fight against illegal and predatory claim sharks, unaccredited companies and individuals who exploit veterans by charging unlawful fees to assist with VA disability claims.
Currently, state legislators continue to consider Georgia House Bill 108 – the SAVE Act. In its current form, the piece of legislation promotes activity that is against federal law and empowers claim sharks to prey on our veterans. The continued battle against the current insufficient language in HB 108 has led to a jointly signed statement – a unified stance of 15 of Georgia’s major veteran organizations AGAINST HB 108. Outreach to state legislators continues as veterans and veteran groups get push back from money-backed lobbying groups that back these predatory companies.
These predatory actors often target vulnerable veterans with misleading promises, exorbitant contingency fees, and contracts that violate federal law. In many cases, veterans are left financially harmed, misinformed, or delayed in receiving the benefits they earned through service.
Georgia’s veteran advocacy community is united in its push for stronger protections, increased enforcement, and greater education to ensure veterans are connected with accredited assistance through organizations like the VFW and other VSOs. Hats on the Hill provides a crucial opportunity to educate lawmakers on the real damage caused by these illegal, unaccredited claim sharks and the need for their courage and decisive action to protect veterans.
Increase Funding for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Another central focus of Hats on the Hill 2026 is the push for increased funding and resources for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS). GDVS plays a critical role in connecting veterans and their families with earned benefits, services, and support programs.
As Georgia’s veteran population continues to grow and age, the demand for GDVS services grows as well. Advocates are calling for additional funding to:
- Expand staffing and outreach
- Improve access to accredited claims officers
- Enhance rural and underserved area services
- Reduce claims backlogs and processing delays
Fully funding GDVS is not just a budgetary issue; it is a commitment to ensuring veterans receive timely, accurate assistance navigating complex federal and state systems.
Expand Georgia’s State-Run War Veteran Homes
Hats on the Hill 2026 will also spotlight the urgent need to increase the number of state-run War Veteran Homes in Georgia. These facilities provide long-term skilled nursing care to aging and disabled veterans in a setting that understands their unique experiences and needs.
Compared to surrounding states, Georgia is significantly far behind on the number of state-run veteran homes. As of this writing, the state has two homes – one in Milledgeville and one in Augusta. Surrounding states have at least five veteran homes; Florida is working on their ninth. With Florida being the only state in the southeast with more veterans than Georgia, Georgia should have approximately six homes, four more than it currently has.
Currently, access to state-run War Veteran Homes is limited by capacity and geography, forcing many veterans and families to seek care far from home or in non-veteran-specific facilities. Advocacy efforts will focus on:
- Expanding existing facilities
- Establishing new state-run War Veteran Homes
- Ensuring sustainable funding and staffing
- Preserving the mission and quality of veteran-centered care
As Georgia’s veteran population ages, expanding these homes is both a moral responsibility and a practical necessity.
A Strategic Location: Liberty Plaza
Holding Hats on the Hill at Liberty Plaza, directly across from the Georgia State Capitol, is both symbolic and strategic. The location places Georgia’s veterans within clear view of the legislative process, reinforcing that the voices gathered represent real people affected by policy decisions made inside the Capitol.
Throughout the day, participants will have opportunities to share personal stories and reinforce the importance of veteran-focused legislation. The event underscores that advocacy does not end with elections; instead, it continues through direct engagement, education, and accountability.
Building Momentum Through Unity
Hats on the Hill is expected to be one of Georgia’s most impactful veteran advocacy events of 2026 because it prioritizes unity over division and priorities over agendas.
Regardless of organizational affiliation, political affiliations, or other demographic background, attendees are encouraged to focus on shared goals: protecting veterans, strengthening services, and honoring the sacrifices made by Georgia’s military families.
By presenting a coordinated message supported by multiple VSOs, CVEBs, and advocacy partners, Hats on the Hill ensures that legislators hear consistent, well-informed, and solutions-oriented perspectives.
A Call to Attend and Engage
Hats on the Hill 2026 is an opportunity for every member of Georgia’s veteran community to make a difference. Whether attending an advocacy event for the first time or returning as a seasoned advocate, participants play an extremely vital role in shaping the future of veteran services in the state.
Veterans have always answered the call to serve. On January 21, 2026, that call continues; this time, the veteran community is encouraged to peacefully gather and ensure veteran and veteran family voices are HEARD!
All veterans, family members, and supporters are encouraged to attend, stand proud, and help push Georgia to become a state that truly honors its veterans through action, not just words.
State Chief of Staff – VFW Department of Georgia
Marketing & Outreach – VFW Department of Georgia