MARCH 2014 - Upcoming military, veterans and patriotic events in Central Florida
If you wish to be removed from the email list, just let me know.
Please share these events with your friends and interested others and attend. Post where appropriate.
Welcome Home Celebration and Veteran Resource Fair – Sat. Mar 1 – for returned OEF/OIF/OND and ALL era veterans. Bring your family for a FREE day (9am – 2pm) at the Central Florida Zoo, 3755 NW Hwy 17-92, Sanford, 32773. Sponsored by the Orlando VA Med. Center. Info: 321-397-6116 vhaorlnewovamc@va.gov
Highlighted Interview on American Warrior Radio – Sat. Mar 1 – Fallujah veteran Marine Sgt. Marty Gonzalez discusses the incidents of nine years ago and today. He received three Purple Heart medals and two Bronze Stars in Iraq along with severe wounds – physical and mental. 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast: www.1300wmel.com AVET Project sponsors this broadcast.
Short Notice – Home At Last Welcome Reception – Sun Mar 2 – This will be the sixth Home at Last project honoring a combat-wounded veteran of the military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marine Sgt. Stephen Tovet and his wife, Krystina, will receive a specially planned home from the West Orange Habitat for Humanity special project Home At Last. Sgt. Tovet was born in Orlando, FL and grew up in Apopka. Stephen and Krystina were Apopka High School sweethearts. An IED blast during his Afghanistan service in 2011 resulted in loss of his left leg, part of a hand and multiples surgeries to reconstruct the hand and his lower right leg. Fund raising efforts will continue thru the year. Checks or money orders should be made payable to West Orange Habitat for Humanity and mailed to: P.O. Box 38, Oakland, FL 34760. Please be sure to indicate your contribution is for "Home at Last 2014." Event reception: Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden, POC: Bill Criswell - 407-876-2472 wccriswell@earthlink.net.
Veterans Court in Orange County - military veterans are needed to be mentors to other veterans who have had some “challenges with the law.” Offenses are currently primarily misdemeanors. Attempts will be made to match officers, enlisted, branches and functions. Pay it back or Pass it Forward by making a difference. Contact Diana at 407-603-6538 dsm@dianamierslaw.com
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
5th Annual CFNL Wounded Warrior Lone Sailor 5K/10K – Sat. Apr 5 – Central Florida Navy League sponsors this event at Baldwin Park, site of the former Navy Enlisted Training Base. More info to come. See www.cfnl5k.org and www.cfnavyleague.org
Stand Down in Seminole County – Sat. Apr 12 - Services and information for veterans, especially homeless ones. Volunteers, service providers and products will be needed. The date for Orange County will be in Sept. Contact Sean Gibbs of Homeless Services Network of Central FL, 407-893-0133 sean.gibbs@hsncfl.org
Operation Giveback Golf Tournament – Fri. Apr 25 - Champions Gate International Course, exit 58 on I-4. 8:30am Shotgun Start, lunch buffet, contests, raffles, auction;
All proceeds will benefit wounded warriors, their families, and the children of our fallen heroes. Sponsorships available. 1400 Masters Blvd, ChampionsGate, 33896 Contact: Jeff@operation-giveback.org or visit our website: operation-giveback.org
Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion – May 1 – 4 – The nations’ largest veterans’ reunion. Military displays, military vendors, POW-MIA ceremonies, Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. Wickham Park in Brevard Co, Melbourne. Take I-95 to Exit 191 or old Exit 73. Info: floridaveteransreunion.com 321-501-6896 or 321-427-2843
Medal of Honor Recipient Recognition – Fri. May 2 – Marine veteran Hershel Williams will be recognized in our community. This WW2 Marine with service on Iwo Jima that earned him the MOH – he is the last surviving recipient from the service on that island. In addition, he is one of only 2 WW2 MOH Marines living. The other noble Marine is in very frail health. Plans for the day include a Meet and Greet starting at 12 noon for about 1 hour at the Museum of Military History in Kissimmee. The evening highlights with a fundraising dinner. Proceeds will go to several organizations - including the Hershel "Woody" Williams Foundation that will build a monument in honor of Gold Star Families. (FYI - Before his enlistment, at age 15 Mr. Williams drove a taxi that also delivered telegrams from the War Department to casualty families. It left him touched with what happens on the porches of the home front.) Tables/sponsorships for the dinner will be available. Details will be provided soon.
The Military Edge Inaugural "Armed Forces Day" Golf Tournament – Sat. May 17, Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club, 9939 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819 Fundraising event to benefit scholarship program, job expos, youth programs, and veteran projects . Please contact Nik Patterson for additional details 513-898-9097 npatterson@themilitaryedge.com; www.themilitaryedge.com
4th Annual Pars & Stripes Forever Golf Tournament - Fri, May 30, at Orange County National. Camaraderie Foundation organizes this fund raising event to assist military personnel and their families with counseling needs and transition. Marriages, families and lives are saved. Sponsorships welcomed. www.camaraderiefoundation.com 407-841-0071.
American Legion, Dept of FL Annual Convention – June 12-15 at The Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. Info: members.floridalegion.org/convention Mary at 407-295-2631 x232
EXTRAS of Interest:
Attention veterans - The local Center for Personal Excellence (healthylivingorlando.com) is developing a national reality TV series focusing on veterans needs, issues and treatments. For veterans who would like to tell their story and get some help for effects of battle on their mental health. All ages and service eras are welcome, including regulars, reservists and guardsmen of all branches. The show will initially be filmed in the Orlando Metro area. Family participation is not required but their involvement may enhance production. If selected, your story may help others who experienced the same or similar stressors. Contact Dr. Linda Levine Silverman at cpeenterprisesllc@gmail.com so you can be contacted, screened, interviewed, etc. 321-945-1153
Items of Interest:
· American Warrior Radio Show from 11am-noon EDT on Saturdays, radio station WMEL - AM 1300 Nationwide broadcast: www.1300wmel.com
· 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/
· The Navy Exchange (NEX) – Mgr. Nancy Devore was transferred to Guantanamo Bay. Jennifer McComas joins Orlando NEX as Mgr from Key West. Stop by and say “Hi!” NEX in Orlando is 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. www.mynavyexchange.com 407-857-3550
· 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. www.militaryonesource.mil
Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central Florida
407-239-8468
No comments:
Post a Comment
If it is not helpful, do not be hurtful. Spam removed so do not try putting up free ad.