June – veterans, military and patriotic events in Central FL
Please share these events with your friends and interested others and attend. Post where appropriate.
If you want people to attend your events, you might try to attend some of theirs first! By networking you may find some great future members for your group. There is strength in numbers!
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Patrick Air Force Base 920th Rescue Wing Picnic – Sat. June 7 – 11am. Volunteers NEEDED (9am – 4pm) and donations (food and monies) for 2K persons; crafts/prizes for 200 kids. The 920th are the personnel who rescue and med-evac service personnel and civilians. Contact Kim at 321-373-7046 kim@avetproject.org www.avetproject.org
Model for Our Military, Family Beach Runway – Sat. June 7 – Space Coast talent and military walk the runway from 1-4pm at Double Tree Hilton, 2080 North Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, 32931. Special guest Tarralyn Ramsey from TV’s ‘The Voice’ will be performing. Family fun. Tickets are $15 for ages up to 17, $25 for ages 18 and over. Proceeds benefit not-for-profit AVET Project that helps military families. Info: www.avetproject.org kim@avetproject.org 321-373-7046
3rd Annual Shake the Lake – Sat. June 7 – 9am – 5pm. Benefits Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers (JOSH) non-profit group which sends care packages to warriors. Raffles, prizes, liquor baskets, great entertainment and food and the poker run! Sponsored by MFC Motorcycle Club Central Florida. American Legion Post 53, 2874 S. Sanford Avenue, Sanford, 32773. www.justoursoldiershelpers www.mfcorlando.org 352-406-8804
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 (Personal note from Cathy – Not all posts are like your grandpa’s post! There is a cyber-post! Check it out!)
FLAG DAY – Sat. June 14. Fly your American flags proudly. Retire your faded, torn, or tattered flags. Flag World (728 Virginia Dr. in Orlando); and Orlando Flag Center (715 E. Colonial Dr.) sell American flags that are ONLY MADE IN THE U.S.A. Bring in your flags to retire and replace it with one Made in U.S.A. Flag World is offering a 10% discount on an American flag with this email. Orlando Flag Center is offering a 10% discount on an American flag with bringing in an American made flag for retirement.
Flag Retirement ceremony – Sat. June 14, 12 noon at the Orlando Scottish Rite Center, 1485 Grand Rd., Winter Park, 32792. Sponsored by the Knights of St. Andrews with participation by scouts and veteran groups. Gather your neighborhood retired flags, those that are torn, tattered and faded. Bring them for proper retirement and disposal. Or call for pickup – 407-657-4550 or to Don Martin at 407-538-0162. Past years have had over 4000 flags respectfully retired.
Flag Day and Flag Retirement Ceremony – Sat. June 14, 6pm at the Museum of Military History, 5210 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, 34746. 407-507-3894. Program includes Civil Air Patrol, Marine Corps League, Osceola County Veterans Council. Bring your torn, tattered, and faded flags for proper retirement.
Let’s Pawty for Service Dogs! – Tues. June 17 – 5:30-7:30pm – Uno’s Chicago Grill restaurant, 8260 N. Wickham Rd, Melbourne, 32940. Free dog treats, kids eat free. Info: 321-255-1400. Or contact Kim at kim@avetproject.org www.avetproject.org 321-373-7046
Honor Flight Welcome Home –Sat. June 21 and Wed. June 25 - After a day spent in Washington DC, veterans of WWII and Korea return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport. The single day will be spent visiting the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorials, Marine Corps Iwo Jima and the Air Force Monuments, and witnessing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
June 21(Sat): 25 veterans, 25 travel guardians (some of them veterans) and Honor Flight medical personnel and staff. Returning to Orlando (MCO) from Baltimore-Washington (BWI) aboard Southwest Airline #4555; arrival approx. 9:30 pm.
June 25 (Wed): 50 veterans, 50 travel guardians (some of them veterans) and Honor Flight medical personnel and staff. will make the Returning to Orlando (MCO) from Baltimore-Washington (BWI) aboard Southwest Airline #4029; arrival approx. 9pm .
Both flights can be greeted home in Terminal A, Airside 2 (hotel area in front of Starbucks.)
For the Early Birds - you can wave them off in the morning no later than 5am – same location. They process thru Security early and quickly.
Honor Flights for the remainder of the year will be on Sat. Aug 23; Thurs. Sept 4; Two local hubs on Sat. Sep 27; Sat. Oct 18; and Sun. Nov 2. (Dates subject to change)
100th Birthday recognition for a Gold Star Mother – Fri. June 27 – 1pm – 2pm –Museum of Military History, 5210 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, 34746. 407-507-3894. This centennial lady (lost her only son in Vietnam) will be honored for her 100 years with a reception at the Museum. Info: Fred Robinson at 407-334-9491.
Salute to Soldiers and Sailors picnic – Thurs. July 3 - 11am to 3pm. Clermont Vet Center at 1655 E Hwy 50, Suite 120, Clermont, 34711. RSVP’s requested for planning - 352-536-6701. Attendees are asked to bring a “pot luck” dish(es) to share with others. (And if it’s special, bring copy(ies) of the recipe!) It will be a chance to interact with other veterans and families, while giving appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel and their family to have this special holiday. Our Salute to Soldiers and Sailors picnic is OPEN to the public. Invite a vet who may not be familiar with what we do and how we can help.
The National Association of Blind Veterans National Convention – Fri July 4 – Opening session at Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, 32819. www.nabv.org
Fireworks at Lake Eola – Fri. July 4 – Downtown Orlando.
On the Horizon
Sep 19 - Central Florida Building Homes for Heroes Golf Outing, Reunion Resort, Kissimmee. Flyer available upon request. Sponsorships welcomed. Contact Kim at 407-803-5398 kim.valdyke@buildinghomesforheroes.org
Nov 22- Villages Honor Flight Golf Tournament - This fun event is their major fundraising undertaking of the year. Sponsorships welcomed. www.villageshonorflight.org
Community Extras
Hire Our Heroes - Providing Veterans Free Round Trip Airfare Anywhere that Southwest Airlines Flies. This benefit is open to Veterans that transition in 90 days and have job interviews scheduled outside of the local area in which they currently live. For more information, please go to hireourheroes.org/free-travel or contact Dan Caporale of Hire Our Heroes at dan@hireourheroes.org
Mentors needed - Orange County Veterans Court is succeeding! Longer term success is possible with community mentors. Be a “battle buddy” or “foxhole buddy” by assisting someone with life challenges. No proselytizing – just non-judgmental caring. If you have experienced substance abuse (ie: alcohol or drugs) and came thru it, you may be very helpful to someone else. If you are interested in participating as a mentor, know someone who is interested, or are a part of an organization where Mentors can be recruited, contact Diana Miers, the Mentor Coordinator. Recruiting will be held over the summer with training sometime late summer or early fall. She or Judge Brewer have graciously offered to visit various groups and organizations to keep the mentor program in use. It does make a difference and you can too….. Contact dsm@dianamierslaw.com 407- 603-6538
Speaker, author available - Dr. Du Hua escaped the communists of Vietnam and came to the United States in 1982. His book, “The Escapes and My Journey to Freedom” tells of his witnessing the killings, brutalizing, devastation and destruction in his village and former country. It also tells the other side of the war after the fall of Saigon. He had attempted to escape eleven times before succeeding and arriving to freedom. Speaking available to clubs, and churches and veterans organizations. Contact: theescapes81@gmail.com 954-790-7797
· 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. 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 FL
407-239-8468
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