Orlando patriotic and veterans events

Once again Cathy Haynes has been hard at work putting together a list of things going on in Central Florida for our veterans.

Benefit for wounded Army Green Beret warrior – Sat. Jan 12. Orlando Rocks for SFC Josh Burnett with a major 3-hour Gala Extravaganza Show at VFW Post 4287, 3500 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, 32822. Doors open 1:30 pm, National Anthem at 14:15. Tickets $25, limited seating. Semper Fidelis America is assisting; much hard work and organizing from Mary Ingrassia. Contact: 407-273-6581 or Mary at letsneverforgetthem@yahoo.com Info available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjXrP3MCWw

Home at Last Welcoming Ceremony - Oakland on Sun. Jan. 13 at 2 pm at Tanner Hall, 29 Garden Ave, Winter Garden, 34787. The welcoming reception is free and open to the public.
Marine Cpl. Ronald Clayton "CJ" Barnes Jr. (another wounded veteran) and his wife, Katy, will be welcomed to the West Orange community of Oakland. The Barnes couple, originally from West Palm Beach, will soon become a family as they are expecting their first child in March. They will receive the 5th mortgage-free, disability-friendly home in Oakland from the West Orange Habitat for Humanity's wounded veteran project, Home at Last.
Congressman Daniel Webster will be at the welcoming, and he will present a flag that has flown over the capital to CJ Barnes. Commissioner Scott Boyd will also be in attendance, as well as area town mayors. There will also be a Marine color guard, a guest speaker, and warriors from Cpl. Barnes service group. Contributions to the project are very welcomed and Cpl. Barnes’ story can be read at: http://www.westorangehabitat.org/home-last-2013

Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) – meeting on Wed. Jan 16 at 11:30 am, at Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 3496 Lodge, 1900 S. Goldenrod Ave., Orlando, 32822. Strength in numbers for all veteran (including service disabled veterans) owned businesses. Provides networking and awareness of local and state contacts and contracts. Contact vicechairman@favob.org 407-394-4754.

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games –Sat. and Sun. Jan. 19 - 20, Central Winds Park, 1000 E. Highway 434, Winter Springs, 32708. Hours: Sat 8am – 9pm, Sun 8:30 am – 5pm Variable priced Tickets: $5 to $20, free parking. Many ‘First Responders’ participate in bagpipe bands, Scottish athletics. You don’t have to have Scottish lineage to enjoy these increasingly popular Games! Dancing, clan tents, food, vendors, LOTS of fun and music from “Albannach”, Celtic rock group “Rathkeltair”, “The Wyndbreakers” and more! http://www.flascot.com/

Country Night at the Bunker on Sat. Jan. 26. – Featuring band Slick 50, 6pm – 10pm; Dinner at 5pm is a pulled pork meal ($6) but RSVP’s requested by Jan. 19 to JoAnne at 508-523-7192 or po87jcb@yahoo.com Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road, Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org (Event flyer available)

Casino Night on Sat. Feb. 23, 4pm – 10pm. MAJOR fund raising effort for the Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) that operates solely on donations. Dinner at 4pm, tables (Blackjack, Texas Holdem, Let it Ride, LCR) open from 5 – 8 pm followed by Chinese Auction to use your winning chips - at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org (event flyer available)

4th Annual Ride for the Stone on Sat. Mar. 2 – Fund raising effort to provide grave site markers for parents who lose a child and cannot afford a cemetery marker. All vehicles welcome, $10 per person. (Event flyer available) Two starting points at 10:30 – your choice of Winter Garden or Deland; Last stop at 3:30 at the “Bunker” - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. Food, drinks, 50/50 draw and live music. For more information: email bradsummersill@aol.com or 407-256-9360.

Tico Warbird Airshow - March 22, 23 and 24 in Titusville. Advance tickets available – 321-268-1941 Info: www.vacwarbirds.org/ Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum - 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 Open 7 DAYS A WEEK 9am – 5pm

EXTRAS of Interest:
·American Warrior Radio Show from 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast: www.1300wmel.com

·iamveteran.com - “A one stop resource for ALL veterans nationwide who are transitioning from military to civilian life.” There are resources for all veterans, postings for new benefits, jobs, and more!

·WoundedTimes.blogspot.com - Veterans News Service covering news that matters to veterans and their families. Local, state and national news and events – especially with videos involving Central Florida military and veterans. Dedicated to defeating Combat PTS.

·Shades of Green Resort – Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property provides various packages for active duty, reservists, guardmen, 100% service connected disabled, and retired military personnel and their families. Go to www.shadesofgreen.org for information. Special discounts for rooms may be available based on occupancy levels, and special ticket rates. (407) 824-3400

·Vet Centers are available for combat zone veterans to help with personal and family readjustment counseling and outreach services. The nearest centers are located in Orlando, Melbourne, Clermont, and Daytona Beach. www.vetcenter.va.gov/

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, FL 32826. New website at: http://www.bunkerflorida.org The museum is a place full of knowledge, experiences, and memories. It is here that you will discover many unique and historical artifacts of the Vietnam Era. Open to the public with FREE admission on Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sundays from 10:00pm to 4:00pm. Private and educational tours can be scheduled with prior agreement and confirmation with the museums staff. Hours of operation are subject to change due to restoration in progress.

Museum of Military History –5210 West Irlo Bronson Highway - located west of SR 535 on SR 192 Kissimmee, FL – near the Poinciana Blvd. intersection on the south side of the road. http://www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com/ ; "Educating the world about the cost of freedom" with educational exhibits starting with the Civil War, incorporating World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and leading the visitor up to the most current pages of our military history in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hours of 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays thru Sunday (Closed Mondays.) For more information call 407 507-3894

*Note: If you or your friends have military items that may not mean much to your other family members, please consider donating them or placing them "on permanent loan" with a Museum for safekeeping. Others may appreciate their historical significance, and it will keep them out of potential landfills. If possible please include the story of the item.

I am now accepting information about organizations planning public events that involve military, veterans or patriotic themes. Please include date, location, time, and a point of contact (name, email, phone). Other people cannot attend if they don’t know about the event!

Caring and sharing
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veterans and military organizations
407-239-8468