Veterans Events in Central Florida for March

Provided by Cathy Haynes email chaynes11629@yahoo.com

Black History Month Special Exhibit will continue thru to mid-March – due to popular demand! This exhibit provides recognition honoring the African Americans serving in every conflict of the United States of America from the Revolutionary War and the first years of our republic through the current war in Afghanistan. For more than 237 years, African American contributions to all branches of the armed forces have been critical to the defense of our freedom. The exhibit can be seen as a part of regular admission at the Museum of Military History located at 5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, 34746. Tues – Sun, 10am – 6pm. For further information on the exhibit, please call 407-507-3894 or visit website at Museum of Military History

Baseball Seats for Soldiers – Remember that Major League Baseball has its Spring Training in Florida thru the end of March. The Grapefruit League has four teams based within about an hours’ drive from Orlando – Atlanta Braves at Disney, Detroit Tigers at Lakeland, Houston Astros at Kissimmee, and Washington Nationals at Viera. Many have discounted or free tickets for military and veterans appreciation. Check the teams’ schedules online, take advantage of their offers and thank them for their generosity!

Your help is needed - NOW! The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation (CFVMPF) is preparing to engrave names of Central Florida’s fallen warriors on granite monuments. The monuments will be placed in a memorial park at the new Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center at Lake Nona. Local families and friends are asked to review the lists of the fallen to make sure their local loved one’s name appears in the list, and to correct any spelling errors. And to spread the word. This effort applies only to the six county region that the medical center will serve – Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia Counties. Deadline is April 30. Donations for the Memorial Park are still welcomed! Contact: honors.committee@CFVMPF.org or Jerry Pierce at 407-529-6925 jerry.pierce@CFVMPF.org

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. 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, 32826. Food, drinks, 50/50 draw and live music. For more information: email bradsummersill@aol.com or 407-256-9360. (Event flyer available)

Housewarming and Key Ceremony, Sat. Mar. 2 in St. Augustine by Home for Our Troops for Marine MSgt John Hayes and his family. This is a specially built home for this wounded warrior. Info – Homes For Our Troops This organization is also active in Central FL and has some local corporate sponsors.

Central Florida Fair from Thurs. Feb. 28 thru Sun. Mar 10. Military Appreciation Night is Tues. Mar 5 – and gates open at 4pm. Not only are Active Duty, Reservists and Veterans admitted for FREE but Police and Firefighters are too! Other days: bring the “Give Back Coupon” coupon from the website (www.centralfloridafair.com) and receive a $3.00 off regular $12 Adult Gate admission on select days, and $1.00 will be donated to the charity of the day for every coupon which is redeemed. Free parking. Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando 32808. Advance discounted tickets at Walgreens until Feb 28.

The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution Commemoration – 2013 is the 230th Anniversary of this sea battle that occurred just off the coast of Port Canaveral. The Brevard Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invite all Color Guards and interested persons to attend this ceremony on Sat. Mar 9, assembly at 9:30 am, Brevard Veterans Council, 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, 32952. Please contact us if your group will be represented by a color guard; bringing greetings and/or presenting a wreath. EVERY color guard unit will receive a commemorative flag streamer. Event is attended by many veterans and history groups. Contact: Ben at bdubosefl@gmail.com 321-952-2928, or Steve Williams at swilliams16@cfl.rr.com.

Cooking Class provided by the Vietnamese Chef Quoe Viet - Sat. Mar 9 at 10 am, at the “Bunker” - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum at 3400 North Tanner Road Orlando, 32826. Kindly RSVP by Thurs. Feb 28 so that we are prepared to accommodate the amount of people attending. Joanne at po87jcb@yahoo.com or (c) 508-523-7192.

Vietnamese/American Joint Ventures Project is hosting two events to raise funds for Exhibit Gallery and the Vietnam War Memorial Monument for the “Bunker” – Sat. Mar 9 at 6:30 PM at 7017 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, 32809; and Sun Mar 10, at 6:30 PM at Pinellas Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave., Pinellas Park, 33781. Both events will have entertainment and food-tickets are $40. Joanne at po87jcb@yahoo.com or (c) 508-523-7192. (Event flyer available)

Veterans Resource and Job Fair – Wed. Mar 13, 10am – 2pm at Hungerford Memorial High School Cafeteria, 100 E. Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville, 32751 (in Orlando metro area). Learn about free job placement, employability, skills training, housing and counseling services. Representatives include VA, UCF, HBI, AMVETS and more! Free lunch. Cash door prizes, and gift certificates to be given away. Home Builder Institute (HBI) offers free construction and maintenance skills training to vets. POC: Rosa Cannaverde 407-490-0961 rcannaverde@hbi.org (Event flyer available)

Service Dogs for Veterans demonstration will be conducted at the “Bunker” on Sat. Mar 16 at 4pm by Nancy Ried of D4DV – Dogs for Disabled Veterans. Service dogs allow independence and companionship for disabled veterans. Nearly 6 million animals are put down every year and this 501(c)3 organization incorporates some of rescued, rehabilitated dogs into the lives of disabled veterans. Training is also provided at the Martin Work Camp by inmates through the "Train the Trainer" program established by D4DV and the Florida Department of Corrections. Some of the inmates are veterans themselves. Wish list for dog supplies is at www.dogs4disabledveterans.org Bring supplies when you attend this demo at the “Bunker” - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum at 3400 North Tanner Road, Orlando, 32826. Joanne at po87jcb@yahoo.com or (c) 508-523-7192.

Commander’s Call - Sat. Mar 16 at 10am – 4pm at the Museum of Military History located at 5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, 34746. This ongoing program is held on the 3rd Sat. of each month is designed to appeal to families, military memorabilia collectors, history buffs, re-enactors and others interested in military history. In addition, persons interested in displaying, trading or selling their military items such as honor coins, swords, photographs, military buttons, scale model boats and planes, military art, uniforms or other equipment should register in advance by calling the museum to reserve a spot. Re-enactors and veterans are also welcome to come in uniform to add to the history and authenticity of the military experience. Non-military booths such as healthcare providers, home improvement, local attractions or other businesses are also invited to be vendors for a minimal donation. Call 407-507-3894 for further information or to register your table space. www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com

Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) – meeting on Wed. Mar. 20 at 11:30 am, Strength in numbers for all veteran (including service disabled veterans) owned businesses. Provides networking and awareness of local and state contacts and contracts. Contact Brian for location and info: vicechairman@favob.org 407-374-9072.

Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsored by AUSA Sunshine Chapter (Association of the United States Army) on Fri. Mar 22, 8am Sharp, Shotgun Start, lunch; Check-in starts at 7am. Timacuan Golf and Country Club, 550 Timacuan Boulevard, Lake Mary, 32746. Go to: www.ausa-sunshine.org for info and to register. Sponsorships welcomed! (Event flyer available.)

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, 32780 Open 7 DAYS A WEEK 9am – 5pm

Honor Flight - Mark your calendars for send offs and Welcome Home celebrations at the airport. Three Honor Flight hubs use Orlando International Airport – Honor Flight of Central Florida, Villages Honor Flight, and Space Coast Honor Flight. All have the goal to fly WWII veterans and terminally ill veterans to Washington DC for a day. They visit the various military memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans make the trip at no charge – donations and corporate sponsorships are welcomed by all hubs. It is great fun and rewarding to welcome these warriors home in the evening! Dates: Sat. Mar 23; Tues. Mar 26; ALL three hubs on Sat. Apr 27; Two hubs on Sat. May 25 (Memorial Day weekend); and more are scheduled thru the year. Times and airlines will vary. Free parking arrangements are underway. (Ocala Honor Flight uses the airport in Ocala and makes a flight on Thurs. May 23.) Each hub flight consists of about 25 veterans, 25 guardians and about 5 admin./medical staff.

4th Annual Wounded Warrior / Lone Sailor 5k Run/Walk/Roll facilitated by Central Florida Navy League – Sat. Apr. 6, 7:30 am, Baldwin Park, Orlando, 32814. Discount for registration before April 2. Go to: http://cfnl5k.org Proceeds will be split between Wounded Warrior Project and the Lone Sailor statue monument project to be placed at Blue Jacket Park on the former Navy Recruit Training Base. Sponsors welcomed. Navy League: Citizens in support of sea services – Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, but open to all. We do not discriminate against Army or Air Force! www.cfnavyleague.org

Golf Tournament – Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation (MCF) is having its only fund-raising activity. Support the organization's projects by participating or donating in this 25th Annual Golf Tournament. Fri April 12 at Timacuan Golf and Country Club, 550 Timacuan Blvd, Lake Mary, 32746. 8am Sharp start, lunch. www.centralfloridamarines.org for info. Sponsors and prize donations are welcomed! (Event flyer is available.)

2013 Seminole County Homeless Veterans’ Stand Down preparations are underway for Sat. May 18, (Armed Forces Day) at the Seminole County Health Department. Stand Downs typically provide services such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling; as well as referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. More information to follow, but Volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Go to: www.hsncfl.org and click on the Stand Down link. The Stand Down is paid for through donations, anyone who would like to contribute financially may send your tax exempt donation to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, ATTN: Sean, PO Box 547068, Orlando, FL 32854-7068 (mark it for the 2013 Seminole Stand Down); the Homeless Services Network is a 501(c)3 organization and your donation is tax exempt.

You may have missed events for the following but their efforts continue and are worthwhile for your support and donations:

« West Orange Habitat for Humanity's wounded veteran project Home at Last. The groundbreaking occurred for the 5th mortgage-free, disability-friendly home in Oakland. It is for Marine Cpl. Ronald Clayton "CJ" Barnes Jr. , wife Katy, and their newborn son who decided to make his debut 3 weeks early! www.westorangehabitat.org/home-last-2013

« Operation Safety 91 (OS91) sponsored a luncheon banquet for local First Responders. OS91 efforts provide Psalm 91 cards to military and first responders. www.os91.com www.operationsafety91.blogspot.com Toll free: 877-820-7467

EXTRAS of Interest:

The Navy Exchange (NEX) still exists in Orlando for all branches of active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents. It is located west of Orlando Int’l Airport, about 1 mile south of the Beachline Expy/528 on Tradeport Dr. Competitive pricing and programs. 7151 Earhart Dr., Orlando, 32827. 407-857-3550

·American Warrior Radio Show from 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast:

·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. 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.

·Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) to active duty, Guard and Reserve service members, and their families with comprehensive information on every aspect of military life including deployment, relationships, economics, grief, education, parenting and child care, and much more.

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka “The Bunker”) - at 3400 North Tanner Road, Orlando, 32826. 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, 34746 – near the Poinciana Blvd. intersection on the south side of the road. "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 Tues. thru Sun. (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 (Memorial Day in May!) 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!