Veterans More To Do On Your Day!

Veterans Day list of veteran, military and patriotic events and issues in Central FL

Original lists were sent on Oct. 21 and Oct 30.  If you did not receive them, let me know and I will re-send.

If you participate in receiving meals, services, or other efforts of thanks to veterans from businesses, please thank the staff and managers for their generosity and thoughtfulness. 

There HAVE been other events that I was not aware and had no reasonably advance notice to have included information about. 

Please share this information and events with your friends and interested others and attend.  Post where appropriate.

If you wish to be removed from the email list, just let me know.

Thank for serving, my veteran friends!  Your time and efforts are very much appreciated!

"..........This day, and every day, we pay tribute to America's sons and daughters who have answered our country's call.  We recognize the sacrifice of those who have been part of the finest fighting force the world has ever known and the loved ones who stand beside them.  We will never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have not yet returned home.  As a grateful Nation, let us show our appreciation by honoring all our veterans and working to ensure the promise of America is within the reach of all who have protected it......."

--From Veterans Day 2014 Proclamation by The President of the United States.

Call to action:  Veteran Businesses = Jobs for veterans

Wed. Nov 12 - Public meeting notice about a study being done on small businesses in our community. Please show up and be represented.  There is no mention of counting Veteran owned businesses within this study.  Very disappointing.  Please attend and let your voices be heard. 

Orlando Executive Airport, 365 Rickenbacker Drive, Orlando, 32803.  Community Room 250.  FREE parking.  Public Forum (Informational) 9:30am – 11:30am.  Public Hearing (Collecting Anecdotal Comments) 2pm – 4pm.

“Orange County, City of Orlando, Orange County Public Schools, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Agencies) are conducting a study that will examine the procurement of services and products, the subcontracting participation of prime contractors/service providers who do business with the Agencies and in the private sector, and the anecdotal evidence collected from a broad cross section of all firms doing business with or interested in doing business with the Agencies.  The results of the study will provide an update to the Agencies’ current M/W/DBE, LDB, and ACDBE programs. Individuals and businesses are invited to learn about this disparity study (forum) and provide testimony of doing business or attempting to do business with the Agencies (hearing).”

Study conducted by MGT of America, Inc., contact Vernetta Mitchell at vmitchel@mgtamer.com or (704) 531-4099.

Last Minute notices of events today.  It’s not too late.  Or you can thank them for thanking veterans.

·         Orlando Science Center at the site of the monument at 2pm.  777 E Princeton St, Orlando, 32803.

·         Events are being held today, Wed, Thurs at the East Florida State College by the Melbourne Campus Collegiate Veterans Society.  Special guest speakers.  Check online for times and places.

·         Events and guest speakers at UCF Campus.  Check online.

A must see special exhibit - “Remembering our Florida Fallen” Traveling Wall – Nov 10–14, Mon-Fri. - Valencia College honors the Floridians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars by hosting this Traveling Wall.  The wall features military and personal photos of our country’s Fallen who called Florida their home, brief narratives, and written messages left by loved ones.  Free and Open to the public at Valencia College, West Campus in the Building 11, (northern most building on campus)  8am to 8pm.  Sponsored by Valencia College’s Student Veterans Association, Florida College of Integrative Medicine, and Fairways for Warriors.  Info:  remembering-our-fallen.eventbrite.com   dgibson11@valenciacollege.edu    409-406-3550.  Event flyer available.

Offers for our military community.

·         Offer goes live today at 9am.  The annual offering of 1500 Free Vacation Stays by Westgate Resorts. Many Military Disney readers have used this offer over the years. They have locations near WDW and also in other national locations.  See the post for more info: Westgate Resorts Salutes Veterans with 1,500 Free Three-Day/Two-Night Stays.  Information provided by Steve at Military Disney Tips, admin@militarydisneytips.com

·         Offer goes live today at 9am. The Orlando Predators are giving away 3,000 Free Tickets to Military Veterans.  The tickets are good for the first home game of the team's 2015 season on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando.  See Orlando Predators or the Facebook page of “Military Disney Tips.”

“The Concert for Valor” –Tues. Nov 11 – Salute to veterans performance live from Wash DC Mall on HBO – check your cable provider for the channel number.  7pm.  Wide variety of musical performers and guest speakers, including Tom Hanks.  Presented by HBO and Starbucks.

“Navy Seals – Their Untold Story”– Tues. Nov 11 - New programs on your local PBS channel about America’s military men and women start.  9pm – 11pm.  Actor Gary Sinise, who has dedicated himself to veterans’ causes and supporting the troops in active service, narrates.

Orlando Vet Center Open House 2014 – Fri. Nov 14 – In honor of Veterans Day, the Vet Center will be celebrating all veterans with an Open House.   Vets helping other combat vets and their families with the challenges of reintegration, family counseling, sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress management, etc. 12noon – 4pm.  5575 S. Semoran Blvd, Suite 30, Orlando, 32822.  407-857-2800.

FAVOB meeting – Mon. Nov 17.  10am at the American Legion Florida Department building, 1912 Lee Rd, Orlando, FL 32810.  (just west of I-4 from the Lee Road exit.)  Small business programs that support fellow Veterans, receive limited support from State, Local Municipalities, Government Agencies and Private Enterprise.  More is needed by awareness from all sides.    www.favob.org 

“The purpose of the Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, Inc. (FAVOB) is to promote and unite the many established and start-up businesses that are owned by Veterans and Disabled Veterans throughout the State of Florida, and to increase awareness of the organization at the city, county, state and federal levels. FAVOB is a Florida Corporation, Non-Profit 501c (6) Organization that operates for the benefit of Veteran Business Owners in an effort to give Veterans the same opportunities as other small business groups in respect to selection for work, for bidding opportunities, and for project contract awards. It is the intent of FAVOB to help grow these Veteran businesses, as well as support and endorse employing Veterans as they return from active and reserve duty to join the civilian the workforce.”

Thank you for your service, Veterans! 

Real heroes don’t wear capes…they wear dog tags………

Caring and sharing,

Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL
407-239-8468
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"We only have one sacred obligation in the government. We have a lot of obligations — to the old, to the young, to educate — but we have only one sacred obligation, and that is to equip those we send to war and care for those we bring home from war. It is the single most significant obligation the United States of America has." - VP Joe Biden, at Camp Pendleton on Jan. 21, 2012.
"The smallest act of kindness is larger than the biggest intention." - Unknown
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, caring citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead (Cultural anthropologist)
"Well behaved women seldom make history." - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (author and historian; Eleanor Roosevelt used the word "rarely" instead of "seldom")
"Never retract, never explain, never apologize; get things done and let them howl." - Nellie McClung (Canadian senator and suffragist)

Couple of things to add in.
I just went to Publix and they are giving veterans 10% off today! Also reminded of this

Dear Supports, Sponsors and Guests Happy Veterans Day! It is our honor and privilege to provide this Veterans Day Tribute. Event Sponsors - Please arrive at 6:00 p.m. (Napleton Volkswagen of Orlando, Home 1st Lending, Eagle Laser, Semper Fidelis and Avalon Park) Contributors, Guests and Veterans – the event starts at 6:30 and goes through 9:00 p.m. (Please arrive in time to find a parking spot – however it’s great weather for a short walk, if necessary) Address: 12001 Avalon Lake Drive, Orlando We have a program to follow as well as specific time for networking/visiting and time for the dinner hour. During the dinner hour we will have announcements and recognize our sponsors. Be sure to order the special drink: Salute! Then we will begin the gift drawings for our Veterans Thank you for your service to our country. God Bless you all!