Central Florida Veterans Events Part Two

Mid-August list of Central Florida veteran, military or patriotic events

 

This is a partial list of events – more to come out soon! I am rushing to get this one out…

 

Send me your events – people cannot attend an event if they don’t know about it!

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

 

Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home –Sat. Aug 22 – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 25 veterans of WWII and Korea return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport.  The hub of the nation-wide organization will take veterans on a single day trip to our nation’s capital where they visit the WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorials, Marine Corps Iwo Jima and the Air Force Monuments, and witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.  This group will return at about 10pm and enter the terminal area at about 10:30 – 11pm. Come welcome these former warriors home!  “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports makes a difference!  Bring your flags, banners and signs! – Southwest Airlines #915 from Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Terminal A, Airside 2 (hotel area in front of Starbucks.) Before leaving home, check online to see if the flight is on time because there may be delays due to weather, mechanical or medical issues. 

In this group on Saturday, there are 25 veterans plus their guardians (who may or may not be veterans too.) -24 men and 1 woman veteran - a Navy Nurse in the Phillipines.

9 from USAAC/AF, 3 USA including 1 Korean War Borinqueneer, 8 USN, 4 USMC, and 1 Merchant Marine.  Of these 25 veterans, 10 were from WW2 service, 7 from Korea service, 4 from WW2 & Korea, and 3 were Three-peat veterans: WW2, Korea and Vietnam.  There are 18 enlisted and 7 officers.

Free parking has been arranged at an off airport property – FastPark and Relax – who has been very generous to Honor Flights with free parking and shuttles to the airport (tips welcomed by drivers!) - 7870 N. Frontage Road, Orlando, 32812.  Mention ‘Honor Flight’ upon entering and leaving when you come to welcome home these veterans.  And remember their generosity when you travel thru OIA! Contact Cathy Haynes for those details NLT 7pm - chaynes11629@ yahoo.com   407-239-8468.

New:  Vouchers are available for airport garage parking from a GOAA rep. in the terminal for this event – maximum of 3 hours – BUT you have to take a paper/card upon entering the airport garage.  The vouchers will not work if you use the E-Pass/SunPass transponders – we cannot credit back the charge.

For the Early Birds - you can wave these veterans off in the morning no later than 5am – same location as listed above.  They process thru Security early and quickly.  Wave them off for a wonderful day!

(FOR THE REMAINDER OF HONOR FLIGHTS IN 2015, SEE BELOW.)

 

Veterans Business Initiative (VBI) - Tues Aug 25 - The VBI will run for eight weeks starting Tues Aug 25 through October with two sessions per day.  This is a no cost program for all Veterans who are seeking entrepreneurship opportunities, employment and continuing education. It will be held at the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce (CFDC) located at the National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Dr., Suite A-120, Orlando, 32803.  Register before Fri Aug 21.  Info:  Lisa Hancock at lisah@ mnpwr.com;  Rogue Gallart at  rogue@ nationalec.org  407-420-4875   www. cfdisabilitychamber.org 

 

Central Florida Veterans Inc. mtg – Tues Aug 25 – Meeting of veterans and groups in the Central Florida area.  Meeting includes a guest speaker and sharing of information that is important to veterans.  This group meets on the LAST Tuesday of every other month. (Even numbered months) in the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Baldwin in the Cafeteria.  5:30pm.  Info:  Greg Smith at 901-438-7734  farside53@ gmail.com

 

Veteran Investments Project Event – Fri Aug 28 – Sponsored by FAVOB – Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses.  Come enjoy fantastic local brew and support FAVOB as well as our fellow non-profit Veteran Investment Project to raise money for small business grants for Veteran start ups. Have fun, do some good and listen to great music on a Friday night! 6:30pm – 9:30pm at Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave., Orlando, 32806.  Contact Joshua Jones at 407-385-2053 

 

A Veterans Community Inaugural Golf Tournament – Fri Aug 28 – Fundraiser at North Shore Golf Club at Lake Nona.  8:30am Shotgun start.  Army LTG Jack Stultz, (ret.) formerly Chief Army Reserve, will serve as our Honorary Grand Marshall and will be joining us for golf and remarks.  This Central Florida not-for-profit has a mission to provide safe, and stable housing to homeless Veterans and their families   $125 for 1 golfer, or $400 for a foursome, includes 18 holes of golf, happy hour, door prizes, and all contests.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Info: sarah@ aveteranscommunity.org or Kyle Evans  407-810-1916 kyle.evans@ redconsolutionsgroup.com

 

Spirit of 45 event - Tues Sept 1 - Special tribute honoring our local WWII heroes and commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the End of WWII.  9:30am – 11am, Winter Park Civic Center 1050 W. Morse. Ave. Winter Park, 32789.  Musical Salute by VFW 2093 Community Band and soloist Charles Haugabrooks.  All veterans and family members welcome. Flyer available.  Sponsored by VITAS Healthcare.  RSVP to Veronica Soto  407.599.2534  veronica.soto@ vitas.com    

 

September 2, 1945 – V-J Day .  Thank a Pacific Theater veteran for his/her service!

 

City of Orlando Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council – Thurs. Sept 3 – 1:30pm monthly meeting of numerous organizations and individuals for the benefit of local veterans and active duty personnel.  Planning of functions (ie:  Veterans Day parade) and awareness of events is shared.  Designated representatives allow groups to coordinate efforts.  If your Orlando area vet/military associated group isn’t attending, it should plan to get involved.  Networking before and after the meeting.  See website at cityoforlando.net, Office of the Mayor, Mayor’s Committees, Veterans.   Contact Chairman Michael Waldrop for attendance and location information.  mwaldrop@ blue-cord.com

 

Orange County Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit – Wed. Sep 9 - Kick off of Hispanic Heritage Month at the History Center.   Part of the exhibit will be a commemoration of the US Army 65th Infantry – “The Borinqueneers”.  In 1899, the Army 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico was established.  It was the largest, longest-standing, & only active-duty segregated Latino military unit in US history until 1959.  The Borinqueneers played a prominent role in World War I, World War II, and particularly the Korean War.  They performed many remarkable military accomplishments despite the additional burdens of segregation and prejudice.  The group will receive the Congressional Gold Medal recognition – like the Tuskegee Airmen, Navajo Code Talkers, Women Air Service Pilots, and others.  A ceremony is being planned for later in the year in Washington DC.  With over 60 Borinqueneers still living in the Central Florida area, an effort is being made to take them to Washington for the unveiling of the medal.

Anyone who is a Borinqueneer, whose family member is/was one, who has some items to display on temporary loan, please contact Dennis Freytes  407-298-1151  dennisfreytes@ hotmail.com

 

Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home – Thurs. Sept 10 – See description above about Aug 22 mission.  This one has 35 vets  - Southwest Airlines #407 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 8.35pm.

 

September 11 Memorial Event – Sat. Sept 12 – Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club will hold Station 10’s 7th Annual 9-11 Memorial Event at 10am at the American Legion Post 2874 S. Sanford Ave, Sanford, 32773.  Active, retired, volunteer Firefighters, fire service connected and interested others, with and without motorcycles gather to commemorate the Brotherhood and significance of Sept. 11, 2001. Other area Fire and Iron stations will also be present.  Food and fun after the ceremony.  (Flyer available.) Contact Capt. Ron Ryan   fandi10pres@ gmail.com 

 

Golf Tournament – Sat. Sept 19 – American Legion Post 286 sponsors this event with proceeds to benefit homeless veterans in Orange County.  Registration deadline is Sept 5.  8:30 start at Dubsdread Golf Course, 549 W. Par St, Orlando.  $75 includes lunch and prizes.  407-859-1460

 

Gold Star Mother’s and Families  – Sun Sep 27 – Are you a family who lost a loved one while in military service or know someone else who did?  Please share this information with them and contact 407-691-4548 before Sept. 15.  This day was originally established in 1936 as Gold Star Mother’s Day and many communities have included all family members.  A remembrance ceremony will be held from 3pm – 5pm in the Orlando City Hall Rotunda, 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32802.  Bring a photo of your loved one.  Caring public is invited.  Event coordination is being done by VITAS and AUSA.  Info: Eva at 407-691-4579  eva.paganhill@ vitas.com  Or De at  daila.espeut-jones@ zeltech.com

 

City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade Applications Available

The 16th annual City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, Nov. 14 in Downtown Orlando. Veterans groups, active-duty military, marching bands and youth organizations are encouraged to participate in the parade, which will be televised live on Central Florida News 13. Applications for the parade are currently available by visiting cityoforlando.net/ veteransparade. Contact Doug Richards at douglas.richards@ cityoforlando.net or 407.246.2782 for more information.

 

ON THE HORIZON

 

I CAARE for Law Enforcement Ride - Sat. Oct 3 – fundraiser and information resource by Wounded Officers Initiative, Windermere Police Foundation, and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 93 (Orange County Sheriff's Office) 10:30am from the Seminole Harley dealer at 620 Hickman Circle in Sanford, and will end at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum at 6350 Horizon Drive in Titusville.  www. WoundedOfficersInitiative.org  More info later.

 

240th Navy Birthday Ball – Sat. Oct 3 – Sponsored by the Central Florida Navy League.   You don’t have to have served in the US Navy to attend - open to all interested persons.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Hyatt Regency Orlando, International Drive.  Tickets can be purchased online.  This year pays special tribute to the United States Navy Reserve, celebrating 100 years.  See:  cfnavyleague.org/navy-ball

 

Nov 14 – Marine Corps Foundation organizing the 240th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Orlando.  You don’t have to have served in the USMC to attend.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Info: Jan Baka at jan.baka@ ecs-federal.com  407-745-3029  www. centralfloridamarines.org 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

HONOR FLIGHTS from area hubs for the remainder of 2015:

Sat. Aug 22 –25 vets    Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm.

Thurs. Sep 10 – 35 vets  - Southwest Airlines #407 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 8.35pm.

Sat. Sep 12 – Central FL hub – no information.

Sat. Sep 26 – Villages Flightless Honor Flight – 15 vets of WW2 will make a “Kiwi Flight” – kiwis are flightless birds.  It is a virtual tour via video format of all Washington DC monument stops and ceremonies except that this flight does not leave the ground.  It is a unique effort because it allows veterans to experience the trip even though they are medically unable to fly.   A “Welcome Home” reception is still held at 2pm – public invited – at American Legion Post #347 (Rolling Acres), 699 W Lady Lake Blvd, Lady Lake, 32159.  An Honor Flight with everything except leaving the ground.  Villages Honor Flight was recognized by the national Honor Flight Network for this unique concept!

Sat Sep 26 – 25 vets    Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm.

Sat Oct 17 –-25 vets   Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm.

NEWLY ADDED - Fri Oct 23 – 25 vets  info pending.

Sat Oct 24 – Central FL hub – no information.

Wed Oct 28 – 35 vets - Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10.00pm

 

Care Packages for Deployed - Recently, about 600 Florida National Guard personnel from this Central Florida immediate area left to be deployed for security assistance in the Middle East and North Africa.  Keep this in mind at your work place and in your social groups.  The holidays will be approaching soon.  In addition, some of the families run into unexpected challenges and need assistance while their spouse is deployed.  More info and contact source to be provided soon.

 

 

INFO to keep and share - because we care

 

Veterans in crisis – For you or someone you know - Confidential Hotline:  1-800-273-8255, #1. 

Or:  Website at  veteranscrisisline   provides 24/7 confidential chat online assistance;

Or:  text 838255  for  24/7 confidential assistance.  They are there because they care….

 

Camaraderie Foundation in Central Florida provides resources for private and confidential Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) counseling for warriors and their families.   It works.  It has saved lives, marriages and families.  Contact 407-841-0071

 

Caring and sharing,

 

Cathy Haynes

Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL

407-239-8468

chaynes11629@yahoo.com