Meet the Navy Veteran Behind a Movement That’s Saving Lives in Northeast Ohio

By Megan Gill, Editor, Cleveland 13 News NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — When I first met Thomas Petrus, a U.S. Navy veteran with quiet strength and eyes that carry a fire, I knew his story would stay with me. But it was one late-night conversation that truly opened my heart to his mission. Thomas told me about the times he has taken calls in the middle of the night, listening to veterans who are on the edge and offering them hope when they needed it most. “Anyone who’s met me knows I mean it,” he said. His life’s work proves that.

As a writer, I have covered a lot of events, but none compare to the heart of the 4th Annual Northeast Ohio Vet Fest, happening August 22 and 23, 2025, at Victory Park in North Ridgeville. This is not just a music festival. It is a lifeline for veterans, a cause Thomas has dedicated his life to, and a call for all of us to stand together for those who have served.

Thomas, the founder and president of Vet Fest, started this event with a mission that cuts deep: to stop veteran suicide. “We’re tired of losing our brothers and sisters,” he told me. His voice was steady but heavy with purpose. As a veteran himself, Thomas knows the weight of transitioning to civilian life. The isolation, the unspoken struggles. Vet Fest is his answer. It is a two-day festival that blends heart-pounding music with a powerful call to action. Every dollar from ticket sales goes to vetted organizations that work to prevent PTSD and suicide. It is a promise to veterans that they will never be alone.

This year’s Vet Fest will take place at Victory Park Sports Complex (7777 Victory Ln, North Ridgeville) and will feature a “Legacies of Legends” lineup that is sure to leave people speechless. Imagine Whey Jennings carrying the soul of his grandfather Waylon Jennings. Picture Thomas Gabriel channeling Johnny Cash’s grit. Add Jesse Keith Whitley, Hank Williams IV, and more. Friday, August 22, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, kicks off with Bad Juju and Modern Vinyl. Saturday, August 23, from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, brings over 100 songs to keep you singing, swaying, and thinking about the heroes among us.

Vet Fest is more than music. It is family. Kids 17 and under get in free with a paying adult. With food vendors, drinks, and free parking, it is a welcoming, rain-or-shine gathering. Tickets are affordable: $40 for a two-day pass, $15 for Friday, or $30 for Saturday (plus taxes and fees).

What makes Vet Fest unforgettable is Thomas’s heart. He is there for veterans at 2 a.m., listening when they need it most, building a community that feels like the military where no one is left behind. As I write this, I think of the veterans I have met and their stories. They echo Thomas’s urgency.

Vet Fest is not just an event. It is a vow to our heroes. We see you, we hear you, and we are fighting for you. Join us at Northeast Ohio Vet Fest to honor veterans, lose yourself in unforgettable music, and support a mission that saves lives. For tickets and details, visit neovetfest.org or email info@neovetfest.org. Let’s show our veterans they are worth fighting for.

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