PORTSMOUTH — This year, Salute Our Soldiers, the Seacoast Chapter’s most successful fundraising event of the year, will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and honor those veterans.

The eighth annual Salute Our Soldiers gala to raise funds for emergency aid and build awareness for New Hampshire’s military community will be held May 2. The event is organized by Easterseals NH Veterans Count Seacoast Chapter. Plans for the fundraiser include a new theme and venue; including a tour of World War II era planes and vehicles, 1940s USO-style entertainment, and a full program of inspirational speakers recognizing the men and women who served in the military. The gala will take place at the Executive Hangar at Pease International Tradeport.

Since its inception 13 years ago, Veterans Count, the philanthropic arm of Easterseals Military & Veterans Services (MVS), has distributed more than $4 million to service members, veterans and their families. Last year’s Seacoast SOS Gala held at the historic Runnymede Farm in North Hampton raised more than $500,000 for Veterans Count.

Seacoast Chapter Chair Denise Poulos said the community’s generosity is a hallmark of the event.

“Each year we are humbled by the commitment of regional businesses and community members who donate to and sponsor this significant event,” Poulos said. “While it’s called a gala, it’s important to remember that this event is an opportunity to share stories of resilience within our veterans community and celebrate our shared love of freedom and American values. In particular, this year’s event will salute the military units that marched and sailed their way to victory in World War II, as well those on the home front who supported our men and women abroad.

“There is a saying: ‘In war there are no unwounded soldiers’. In addition, we all know that on the battlefield, the military pledges that no soldier will be left behind. As a community, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we will leave no veteran behind.”

This year’s event is called the “BeBop Bash at the Hangar Lounge,” a pop-up nightclub that will transform the Executive Hangar at 120 Aviation. Tickets are available at www.veteranscount.org/nh/events.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails on the tarmac surrounded by World War II-era vehicles and planes. Guests will step back in time to the 1940s USO-themed show in the Hangar Lounge, dancing the Jitterbug and Lindy to the music of the New Legacy Swing Band and the Manhattan Dolls. There will be a variety of food stations available throughout the evening.

Speakers include former U.S. Army paratrooper and New Hampshire resident Ryan Pitts, who graduated from the University of New Hampshire and is the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the war in Afghanistan.

“There are veterans out there right now with whom I served who are carrying around invisible wounds, facing challenges every day,” Pitts said. “I tell them it’s not a weakness to ask for help. I remind them that it’s like when we encountered that 12-foot wall in basic training; it’s impossible to get over it on your own but with help, you get to the top, and then you pull over the person behind you.”

According to organizers, Malloy Events will create the 1940s experience at the Executive Hangar. The emcee for the evening is Jeff Chidester. Auctioneer Mark Fodero will raise funds during a live auction. The USO show is being produced by musicians/restaurant owners Craig and Christine Faulkner.

Lead sponsors are Service Credit Union and LTC Partners. Additional sponsors include

Jessica & Paul McKeon; John Bobbett; PlaneSense; Ocean Properties; DTC Lawyers; TD Bank; CSNH-Construction Services NH; Mark Fichera; Weidema, Lavin & Grott Accounting; Newburyport Bank; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; and Two International Group.

Veterans Count ensures 90% of every net dollar raised is spent to provide services for New Hampshire service members, veterans and their families.

Veterans Count Seacoast Chapter Committee members include Denise Poulos, Debra Grott, Linda Roth, Andrew Guyton, Gary Barr, Jensen Basenberg, Jeff Chidester, Marga Coulp, Rick Courtemanche, Bryan Curley, Ryan Daly, Eddie Edwards, Col. (ret.) Rick Greenwood, Richard Hartley, Joel Johnson, Christopher Lucas, Rick Mason, Paul O’Neil, Renee Plummer and Greg Whalen.

For more information, visit https://vetscount.org/nh/.