July/August #2 list – veterans, military and patriotic events in Central FL
And other information…
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SHORT NOTICE - Meet and Greet Red Tail pilots – Tonight - Wed. July 30 – 6pm-9pm. Vision of Flight, in collaboration with Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa and the Westgate Resorts Foundation, proudly welcome the Red Tail Pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen for an evening of history, stories, lessons and a panel discussion. Followed by a showing of the movie “Red Tails” with Cuba Gooding. Westgate Lakes Resort, 10000 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, 32819. (Turkey Lake parallels with I-4, west of the I-Drive area.) 2nd Floor of the Pavillion (main lobby). Meet & Greet, along with panel discussion, will begin at 630pm sharp. Movie will start promptly at 730pm. Bring your whole family and meet the heroes that have made history on all levels! Free. Concessions for nominal charge.
Tuskegee Airmen Convention – Wed. Jul 30 thru Sat. Aug 2 - Two dozen of America’s original first African-American pilots and air crew who gained acclaim during World War II will attend the convention. "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to the men and women, African-Americans and Caucasians, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. The convention includes educational opportunities for youth and events at the Orlando Science Center. There will also be a simulation showcase and hands-on flight training. Rosen Centre on International Drive. Info: Sandra Campbell, Public Relations Officer, 816-260-0749 or campbell@tuskegeeairmen.org
Injured warrior family receives home – Fri Aug 1 – Join the celebration - Army Sgt. Justin Burdette, wife Beth and 4 year old son Corey, will be escorted by a motorcade, are expected to arrive at their home, 250 Crosspoint Street SE, Palm Bay, 32909 (Brevard County) at approximately 10 a.m. The public is encouraged to show support by lining the route between Babcock Street and Eldron Blvd between 9:45 and 10 a.m. The Burdette family is the inaugural recipient of the Homes for Warriors program which uses federal grant funds to purchase foreclosed homes and refurbish them. The program works in partnership with the Space Coast Paratroopers Association to identify wounded veterans in need of housing and donates the home to the qualifying veteran. The Army Sgt graduated from Palm Bay High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army when he was 19 years old. He served a tour in Iraq and in 2013, during his second tour in Afghanistan, an RPG-missile landed near him while patrolling on a mountain. He subsequently had to have both of his legs amputated below the knee. Contact Kim Cone at 321-373-7046 kim@avetproject.org
Step Back in Time – Wed. Aug 13 - Keep the Spirit of 1945 Alive! Preserving and promoting the legacy of the WWII generation who fought in the war that saved the world. 1pm – 2:30pm at Winter Park Civic Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 32789. Live entertainment and refreshments as we recognize the Greatest Generation on America's Newest National Holiday. RSVP by Fri. Aug 8 to Stephanie Demos, 407.691.4536 stephanie.demos@VITAS.com
Governor’s Veterans Service Award – Thurs. Aug 14 - The Executive Office of the Governor, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, is hosting several Governor's Veterans Service Award ceremonies throughout the state this summer. The Governor's Veterans Service Award was created in Executive Order 14-88 to honor all of Florida's over 1.5 million veterans as well as active Florida service members. A medal will be presented - The front of the medal depicts the Great Seal of the State of Florida. The back of the medal displays the five seals representing the five branches of U.S. Military with an inscription that reads “Honoring Those Who Served.” Upcoming ceremonies are scheduled from August 11 to August 15 and are located in seven major cities throughout the state. The nearest ceremonies to the Greater Orlando area will be on Thurs. Aug. 14 and are:
· 9am at Lakeland National Guard Armory - 4140 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, 33811.
· 2:15pm at Melbourne National Guard Armory - 1889 Stewart Road, Melbourne, 32935.
It is unknown if or when there will be ceremonies that will be closer to the Orlando area again.
Note: Veterans must provide some form of identification that validates their Veteran status; DD 214, VA ID Card, Military Retirement or Active Duty ID Card. Attire: Business attire is recommended.
Veterans and active service members are strongly encouraged to RSVP at http://rsvp.myflorida.com and designate which location. For more information: www.FloridaVets.org/gvsa 850-717-9207 or gvsa@fdva.state.fl.us
Lake Baldwin site of the Orlando VA Medical Center decision – great news!:
“We learned this afternoon (Tues July 29) that Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson approved our request to keep the Lake Baldwin site open. This request was made for a number of reasons, most importantly because of our patient growth. While the exact construct of the services have not been confirmed, we will keep you apprised of our planning initiative. Thank you for the on-going support and dedication to our Nation’s heroes and for ensuring the voice of our Veterans continues to be heard.”
From: Orlando VA Medical Center Director’s Office via Heather Frebe, Public Affairs Officer.
County Veteran Service Offices – All counties in Florida have County Veteran Service Offices (VSO’s). They provide information on current federal, state and local veterans’ programs, entitlements and referral services and assist with filing for VA benefits. Orange County has recently hired a new Senior Veterans Service Counselor, Jose Pizarro, as Edward “Alex” Alexander, who followed Mike Dixon, has retired. Jose is a retired MSGT Chaplain Asst. from the Army (20 yrs) and Air Force National Guard (2 yrs.) County counselors are trained and accredited annually by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. All services are provided free of charge.
Honor Flights - “House Approves Bill to help Honor Flight Vets” – Thumbs up to the TSA at Orlando Int’l Airport – they have been ahead of the curve the whole time!! “According to a press release from the office of Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4812, the Honor Flight Act. The bill would codify the process by which the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides expedited and dignified passenger screening services for veterans traveling to visit war memorials built and dedicated to honor their service in Washington D.C. Expedited screening services will save veterans’ time and show them their proper respect and appreciation.”
The Honor Flight Act of 2014 is supported by the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization that works with airlines and other non-profits to transport American veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials built and dedicated in honor of their service.”
The next local Honor Flight will be on Sat. Aug 23. Information will be upcoming. The WW2 and Korean War veterans truly appreciate the “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports with the flags and patriotic signs – It makes a difference! Mark your calendars also for Thurs. Sept 4; Two local hubs on Sat. Sep 27 at two airports; Sat. Oct 18; and Sun. Nov 2. (Dates subject to change)
Vietnam Veterans with OTH and PTSD – Yale Law School is part of project for a class action lawsuit. Vietnam veterans – ANY branch of military - who received Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge and had/have Post Traumatic Stress may be interested in this:
“The Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale, together with our co-counsel Jenner & Block, is litigating a proposed nation-wide class action to challenge the denial by the record correction boards of nearly all discharge upgrade applications submitted by Vietnam veterans with an OTH and a later diagnosis of PTSD. See Monk v. Mabus, No. 3:14-cv-00260-WWE (D.Conn.). The government has moved to dismiss claims against the Secretary of the Air Force on the ground that none of our individual named plaintiffs are Air Force veterans. We will make various responses when we file our opposition, but we are interested in identifying specific USAF veterans who served in the Vietnam Theatre, received an OTH, and were later diagnosed with PTSD. We are especially interested in identifying such USAF veterans who have applied one or more times to the AFBCMR to updgrade discharge status and have been denied.
If you are aware of any USAF veteran who fits this profile, especially among your current or past clients, please let me know. The proposed class definition is “all veterans of the Vietnam War Era who served in the Vietnam Theater and: (a) were discharged under other than honorable conditions (also referred to as an undesirable discharge); (b) have not received discharge upgrades to honorable or to general (affirmed under uniform standards); and (c) have been diagnosed with PTSD attributable to their military service.” Michael J. Wishnie, William O. Douglas Clinical Professor of Law and Deputy Dean for Experiential Education, Yale Law School
The office stated that any branch of the military to whom this could apply should call for a screening interview for this class action. Yale Law School – 203-432-4800
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness - Asbestos exposure, a known cause of mesothelioma, was unavoidable for millions of veterans, whether they were deployed overseas or working in the U.S. Over 40% of all diagnosed mesothelioma cases are military veterans. Our mission is to provide veterans suffering from mesothelioma with up-to-date and accurate information on VA benefits, available treatment options, and how to qualify for clinical trials. Our organization also helps veterans connect with top mesothelioma doctors, cancer centers, hospitals, and local treatment facilities. Billions of dollars have been set aside in the form of trusts from companies that knowingly exposed their employees to products that contained asbestos. Contact Joe Lederman, National Awareness Coordinator at joe@asbestostrustfunds.org asbestostrustfunds.org
Orlando Business Journal has a new award this year, “Veterans of Influence”, for which they are holding a luncheon to honor those nominated. Go to the website before August 15 to nominate veterans that they know who deserve to be honored. www.bizjournals.com/orlando/nomination Contact Denise Hicks (herself a Marine Corps vet!) of Orlando Business Journal at 407.241.2893 dhicks@bizjournals.com
Travel tips for wounded and disabled veterans:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants to facilitate the screening of injured, wounded service members and veterans. It has a program that assists the wounded warriors and persons with disabilities or medical conditions at the airport. "Team CARE" will greet and assist these persons at curb side. They will take them to the security checkpoint, provide screening assistance and escort them and their families to their gate. Assistance is available for the return trip. Nationwide, travelers can call TSA Cares for a Passenger Support Specialist, 72 hours prior to traveling, toll-free at 1-855-787-2227 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (EST/EDT) and weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST/EDT). Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov.
Frequent travelers may also want to consider the TSA Pre-Check. The $85 ID card will allow access to the “fast lane” for up to 5 years.
Service Animal Relief Areas are available on Level 2 of both the "A" and "B" Terminals at Orlando International Airport. The "A" Terminal Service Animal Relief Area is located at the North East corner of the building (to the right as you exit the building) near the Southwest Airlines Bag Claim. The "B" Terminal Service Animal Relief Area is located at the South West corner of the building (to the right as you exit the building) near the US Airways Bag Claim.
The journey after military service can be a difficult one.
If you are a Veteran or warrior in crisis or know of one who is,
Please call the VA’s 24/7 Suicide Prevention Line at
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
To speak with a trained counselor - It’s Confidential.
Or find a Crisis Center near you at www.veteranscrisisline.net
A strong person will realize that help is needed,
That reaching out can and will make a difference,
And is NOT ashamed to ask for it…
Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central Florida
407-239-8468
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