More Veterans Events for Central Florida

May #2, Memorial Day and weekend events in Central Florida

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Bok Tower Gardens Armed Forces Day Carillon Concerts – Sat. May 18, 1pm and 3pm, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853.  Half-hour carillon concerts as musical salute of gratitude to our nation’s military service – past and present.  Free admission offered to all military branches, active, retired, and disabled veterans with valid ID.  Concerts included with general admission.  863-676-1408.

 

Special Memorial Ceremony THIS weekend:

Armed Forces Memorial Day Ceremony - Sun. May 18– 2-3pm at the Lt. David R. Wilson Reserve Center, 9500 Armed Forces Reserve Dr., Orlando, 32827.  (The Reserve Center is just west of the Orlando Int’l Airport:  2 miles south of the Beachline/528 on Tradeport Drive.  Turn west onto Express St. and the Reserve Center is one half mile on the left.)

Ceremony hosted by Orlando Survivor Outreach Services (S.O.S.) with assistance from local military forces, NGO Community Partners, Faith-Based Organizations, Disabled American Veterans, Local Politicians, and most important …Families – Families of our Fallen.  All caring persons are invited.

Each military branch has selected one Fallen Marine, Sailor, Airman or Soldier to distinguish during the ceremony.  The ceremony will be lead by the Army Commander of the 143D ESC, COL Christopher Myer and supported by Marine, Navy and Air Force Command Leadership and facilitated by Army Chaplain, CPT Vaughn Benner.   Also included will be Accountability Formation, Invocation, and Absentee Roll Call, 13 Folds of the American Flag, Volley Salute and Taps.

Survivor Outreach Services (S.O.S.) directly assists the families of fallen military personnel.

For additional information and details on how you can become a part of such an honorable event, contact:  Shinekqua Baines, Support Coordinator at  shinekqua.l.baines.ctr@mail.mil  407-240-5939 x1743; or Gwendolyn Hannah, Financial Counselor,gwendolyn.c.hannah.ctr@mail.mil 407-240-5939 x1746.

 

Fallen Floridians Memorial Cross Tribute – Fri May 16 - 385 crosses, one for every military member from Florida who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, will arrive on the grounds of the Lawton House  in Oviedo.  Larger crosses will collectively honor those who gave their lives in previous conflicts.  Each cross will hold a wreath created in 2013 by Eagle Scout 17-year-old Conner MacFarlane and refurbished by his 14-year-old sister, Chloe.  One of the crosses is in honor of their father who died in Afghanistan in 2012.  Chloe and fellow Girl Scouts from the Oviedo area will lay the wreaths.  There will be a special flag raising, wreath laying ceremony and prayer vigil that evening to honor our fallen military members.  The event starts at 6:30 PM and will be held at the Lawton House, 200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765. 

May 17 - May 27 the public is invited to walk the grounds of the Lawton House from 10AM to 8PM daily to see the crosses and pay tribute to these brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Friday May 23

 

Fairways For Warriors - Fore a Good Cause – Fri May 23 – Golf Tournament in honor of Army SFC Bacary Sambou. Proceeds go to funding a custom fitted home in Winter Park, who donated the land.  IED explosion in Afghanistan, March 2012 caused many severe injuries.  He came to the United States at the age of 26 from Senegal, West Africa, hoping to get a quality education and chose to serve in the US Army in 1997.  12noon Registration, 1pm Shotgun Start. Orange County National at 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, 34787.  Register at: hannibalsquareclt.org 

 

Ocoee’s Memorial Day Ceremony – Fri. 11am, Lakeshore Center, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, 34761.  Guest speaker is Army Staff Sgt. David Madeux (ret.), a processional to the Ocoee Memorial Wall, where a wreath will be set in place. The wall is inscribed with the names of Ocoee residents who gave their lives for freedom. Ocoee High School student Kelsey Ammons will sing the national anthem, the Ocoee High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard and Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard will give ceremonial flag presentations, and Ocoee High School student Aaron Moton will play “Taps.” Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. Info:  Joy Wright at  joy.wright@ocoee.org   407-905-3100 x9 1530

 

SATURDAY May 24

 

Former warriors…craving a new challenge?

3^rd Annual Team Patriot Paddle –Free event begins at 10am thru afternoon, Katie’s Landing on Wekiva River, 190 Katie’s Cove, Sanford, 32771.  Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards will paddle just over eight miles at their own leisurely speed thru natural and rejuvenating Florida.  Bring your own gear (or rent) and pledge your awareness, future donations and support for Team Rubicon, Heroes on the Water (therapeutic fun for wounded) and Wounded Warrior Project.  Advanced reservations required for rental of canoes and kayaks.  Wear your favorite military branch logo shirt!  John at 407-461-9420. 

 

 Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum – Sat. May 24 and Sun. May 25 only – Open House 9am – 5pm, 6600 Tico Rd., Titusville, 32780.  Free admission for active or retired military and ALL Florida residents. (I.D. required)  Low fly-bys, memorabilia, combat pilots, exhibits and displays honoring the military.  Requesting additional donation of canned goods which will be sent to local food banks.   www.vacwarbirds.org  ; 321-268-1941.

 

 SUNDAY  May 25

 

American Legion Post #112 –Sunday, 11am, 4490 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, 32792 (btwn Aloma Blvd and University Blvd.)  Fleet Reserve, Boy Scouts and Sea Cadets assisting with ceremony.  Public invited.  407-671-6404.

 

Taft Cemetery – Sunday, 1pm, 501 Landstreet Rd., Orlando, 32824.  Dorie Miller Memorial American Legion Post #331 will conduct ceremony and flag placements on veterans’ graves.  Public invited.  Post phone: 407-294-3548.

 

MONDAY  -  Memorial Day

 

BREVARD COUNTY

Cocoa Riverfront Park Memorial Day Tribute – 6:45 pm Rain or Shine, downtown Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd, Cocoa, 32922.  Opening remarks will be presented by City Manager John Titkanich, Jr., Guest speaker Marine Corps Staff Sgt Anthony Gower.  Also attending USAF Lt. Gen. William Welser III (ret.).   Includes veterans’ organizations, presentations, and patriotic music. Special flag-folding ceremony, period costumes, a moment of silence, entertainment, and more.  Free.  Porcher House at 434 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa.  City of Cocoa Leisure Services Dept - 321-639-3500.  www.cocoafl.org

 

LAKE COUNTY

Memorial Day observance – 11am, Waterfront Pavilion, 330 Third Street on Lake Minneola in Clermont. Sponsored by the Tomoka Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; I.W. Hatcher, Jr. South Lake Marine Corps Detachment and VFW Post #5277. Also participating will be the Knights of Columbus Council #13240, South Lake High School NJROTC, Boy Scouts and Girls Scout of South Lake County.

 Music will be provided by Lake Minneola High School band, Lost Lake Elementary school chorus,  Jim  Hanks and The Cargil Family.  Everyone is invited to attend. A container will be provided if you would like to donate small items for the troops overseas.  If you have a flag that needs to be disposed of properly, bring it too. Info:  Susan DeHart - 352-242-2394, Barbara Tanney 352-394-3847 or Andy Smith 352-988-4599.

 

ORANGE COUNTY

Orange County War Memorial Rededication Ceremony – 10am, Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando.  County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will express eternal gratitude.  Also attending Orlando City Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council.  Guest speaker is Rear Admiral Al Harms, USN (ret.)

 

Woodlawn Memorial Park Ceremony - 10am; 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, 34734.  Rifle volley, Taps and the tolling of the replica Liberty Bell in memory of the dead of all wars.  407-293-1361.

 

Greenwood Cemetery – 10am, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando.  American Legion Post #19 and Ladies Aux. perform a traditional ceremony with wreath laying and Taps.  Public invited.  407-246-2616

 

Glen Haven Memorial Park – 11am, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789.  Bud Hedinger emcee’s “We Remember Them”, singer Charles Haugabrooks, Winter Springs High School JROTC, VFW Post 2093 Community Band, Scouts and more.  407-647-1100.

 

 American Legion Post 286 - 1 -2 pm   The American Legion Family invites the public to the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. 529 E. Fairlane Ave. Orlando, 32809.  (Pine Castle of south Orlando; north of Sand Lake Rd on Orange Ave.) Following the service there will be BBQ from 2-5 pm meal cost $7 and free entertainment by "Homer Stiles" from 4-8 pm. Info: Sandi at 407-859-1460.

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Osceola Memory Gardens – 8:30 am, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744.  Osceola County Veterans Council and other groups perform ceremony.  Light breakfast refreshments.  Public invited. 407-957-2511.

 

Mount Peace Cemetery – 10am, 755 E. 10th St., St. Cloud, 34769.  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3227 is hosting St. Cloud's Memorial Day Service. Everyone is invited to stop by to remember and honor those who gave their all in the service of their country.  407-892-6761.

 

POLK COUNTY

Bok Tower Gardens Memorial Day Carillon Concerts – 1pm and 3pm, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853.  Half-hour carillon concerts as musical salute of gratitude to our nation’s military service – past and present.  Free admission offered to all military branches, active, retired, and disabled veterans with valid ID.  Concerts included with general admission.  863-676-1408.

 

SEMINOLE COUNTY

Lawton House Grounds - 9am,  200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765.  385 crosses with grapevine wreaths represent the Fallen Florida warriors of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Eagle Scout Conner MacFarlane will memorialize his father, a casualty in 2012.  Other scouts will also conduct the program.  Public invited.

 

Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony  -  10AM parade start on historic First Street and end at the Veterans Memorial Park overlooking Lake Monroe, 110 E. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, 32771.  Hosted by City of Sanford and Seminole County Area Veterans Advisory Council (S.C.A.V.A.C.). The Remembrance Ceremony begins at 11 AM in Veterans Memorial Park. As the only Parade in Central Florida, this venue provides you with a unique opportunity to showcase your business or civic organization while paying homage to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the unique freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.   Includes a variety of Color Guards, military vehicles and veteran organizations to give ‘Thanks’ to those who have served, continue to serve and to mourn with the family members who have lost loved ones on Memorial Day.   www.sanfordfl.gov, Jennifer at 407.688.5120.

 

SUMTER COUNTY

Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell – 11am,  6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, 33513.  Traditional and touching ceremony.  Guest speaker is Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Plehn, the Principal Director for Middle East Policy.  Guests are invited to arrive early and enjoy the patriotic and inspirational musical prelude which will begin shortly before the ceremony. Seating is limited, those attending are encouraged to arrive early, wear comfortable clothing and bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit upon.  352-793-7740 x12

 

Compiled by Cathy Haynes

Member/supporter of numerous veterans and military organizations in Central Florida

407-239-8468