Central Florida Veterans Events #3

Veterans Events for Central Florida

From Cathy Haynes

November #3 list of Veteran, Military and Patriotic events in Central FL

Sharing information about groups and community events allows others to attend, participate, and perhaps join in membership.  People cannot attend or join what they don’t know about……

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

In light of world events and our tourist destination significance, Always be aware of your surroundings.  If you See something, Say something.

Wounded warriors’ home key ceremony – Sat. Nov 21 – Homes for our Troops presents a mortgage free, specially adapted home to Army Capt. Robert “Bobby” Withers.  The public is invited for this Welcome Home event at 10am (Registration begins at 9:30am.) at 1026 E. Fuller Cross Road, Winter Garden, 34787.  On May 19, 2010, Bobby lost his right leg and sustained severe damage to the left after stepping on an anti-personnel mine during an attack at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.  Info: Community Outreach Coordinator Brianne McNamara   bmcnamara @hfotusa .org.

Veteran’s 100th birthday party – Sat. Nov 21 – The public is welcomed to help celebrate the birthday of James T. Sealy at the Museum of Military History.  11am at 5210 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, 34746.  Mr. Sealy joined the Army in 1944 and retired from the Air Force as a Technical Sgt. – a near lifetime of service to our country and long time resident of Osceola County.   Please bring or send cards of thanks and well wished to him in care of the Museum.  Museum admission fee waived for party attendees but donations made in honor of Mr. Sealy would be very welcomed!  Info:  Rich McCloud, Operations Director,  407-507-3894 sgtmccloud@ juno.com

Vietnam Veterans Recognition – Sat. Nov 21 - Merritt Island Moose Lodge honors the Vietnam veterans with a dinner, ceremony and dancing.  5:30pm - ?  Open to the public, $10 tickets but Vietnam veterans are free.  Lodge #2073, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island,   Info and register:  321-452-8383.

It’s getting late to send Care Packages to our troops!  There are more than 600 deployed Soldiers (and a few Marines too) from our own local 2-124th Florida National Guard and 143rd ESC Army Reserve. And just over HALF of them will receive a holiday Care Package as of today.  If you were “over there” how would you feel if your home area sent packages to everyone – except for you?  Care package groups want to send boxes of snacks, good food, hygiene items, and things that may not be readily available to warriors in those “frontlines.”  Providing names and addresses early (NOW) will allow the warriors to provide such items as gifts to their battle buddies during the holidays.  AUSA (Association of the United States Army, Sunshine Chapter) is collecting items and monies needed for shipping.  Recently AUSA spent about $5000 to ship packages that were sealed on Nov 7.  Contacts: Daila Espeut-Jones – 407.924.0810 – daila.espeut-jones @ zeltech .com ; Greg Maida – 407.497.5688 – gsmaida @ comcast .net   Another group is  J.O.S.H. - Just Our Soldiers' Helpers Inc.  Contact Kathy at 407-314-1607  kathy @ joshsupport .org  

I/ITSEC Run, Walk, and Roll 5K – Wed. Dec 2 – This annual event allows exercising with other Simulation and Technology persons and having a good time.  6am – 8am at Orange County Convention Center (South Bldg), 9800 International Dr, Orlando, 32819.  Proceeds of this 5k (3.1 miles) Run/Walk/Roll will benefit the Camaraderie Foundation and the I/ITSEC STEM Initiative.  Can’t wake up that early?  You can still participate and help on your own time and your own location.  NEW: VIRTUAL 5k!  Run a distance of 5k (3.1mi) the week of I/ITSEC with a GPS enabled app (Run Keeper, Map My Run, Zombies RUN!), like us on Facebook, and tag us with ‪#‎IITSEC5K. Then your race gear will be mailed to your door!  The Camaraderie Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that aims to provide healing for invisible wounds of war through counseling, emotional and spiritual support for all branches of Military Service Members, Veterans, and their families.  The IITSEC STEM Initiative is a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded and maintained by the National Training and Simulation Association to support and promote activities encouraging students interests and pursuits of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Event corporate sponsorships available. Volunteers welcome!   Info:  Sean at iitsec5k @gmail. com (responds quickly)

Christmas Party for National Guard – Sat. Dec 5 – Soon to deploy local guardsmen will receive a nice meal in the Patrick Air Force Base area of Brevard County.  Your help is needed.  Food items needed for 300: Chicken, Steaks, Shrimp, side dishes, fruit, veggies, desserts, beverages, etc.  11am – 4pm event to include Door Prizes.  Funds and volunteers also needed.  Contact Kim of AVET Project   321-373-7046 kim @avetproject .org      www. avetproject. org

December 7 – Pearl Harbor commemoration.

Thank You Veterans Golf Tournament – Mon. Dec. 7 - Tuskawilla Country Club.  It is completely FREE to veterans.  1500 Winter Springs Blvd. Winter Springs, 32708.  Don and Sandi Hodgskin host this annual event to commemorate his brother, Jimmy G. Hodgskin, Jr., from Orlando who was killed in a helicopter incident in Vietnam.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Info and sign-up at  thankyouveteransgolf. com  (limited space available)  407-468-3055  don @thankyouveteransgolf .com

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day  - Mon. Dec 7 - Dinner and Program with VIP Hour and Guest Speaker.  VFW Post 4287, 3500 S Goldenrod Rd Orlando, 32822.  4pm VIP Hour, 5pm starts dinner program.  RSVP is required: 407-273-6581  Please ask for Connie.  Suggested donation of $2 per person (made payable to the VFW Post 4287 for their Building Mural)  Corporate Donations and Sponsors welcome!

FAVOB – Business After Hours –Tues Dec 8- Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) hosts THIS "FREE" EVENT!!! Come join us for drinks, fellowship and networking at the Miller’s Ale House on Lee Road, 1251 Lee Rd, Winter Park, 32789.  6:30pm to 9pm.  You don't have to be a Vet to Support the Veteran Business Community!   Our last event had roughly 150+ Business Professionals in attendance. Come and show your support for our Military Veterans who are currently in business or own their own business within the communities in which we all live and work in. Please tell your friends and colleagues about this worthy event.  50/50 Drawing so bring some cash! Winner receives half of the Pot!  Table Top Sponsorship opportunities are also available for FAVOB Members for $100 per table. Not a FAVOB Member yet? Go to www. FAVOB. net and join today for as little as $50 a year.  Info:  see our Facebook page or contact  Jrice @supportingstrategies. com

Cocktails for a Cause Casino Night – Thurs. Dec 10 – A Veterans Community hosts this wonderful night for a really good cause at The University Club of Orlando, 150 E Central Blvd, Orlando, 32801. 6:30-8:30 PM.  A Veterans Community is committed to providing safe, stable transitional housing to homeless veterans and their families in Central Florida and 100% of the event proceeds go to this cause. We also provide long-term support to ensure that the veteran and their family make a solid, smart transition to permanent housing.   Individual tickets are $60 pp, or $50 with the purchase of two (2) or more.  Ticket price includes (2) drink tickets and $1,000 in starter casino cash.  Appetizers will be served.  Dress is cocktail attire.  Tickets are limited, so get yours before they are gone!  Tickets must be purchased by December 1 to receive the discount.  Info:  info @aveteranscommunity .org   or call 386.414.4618

Wreaths Across America – Seminole County – Sat. Dec. 12 – This even coincides with Wreaths Across America events across the country.  The public is welcome at 11:30 – 12:30 at All Faiths Memorial Park, 1390 Park Dr, Casselberry, 32707.  VFW Post 2093 band providing music, Haggerty High School choir, and speakers. Volunteers needed to place wreaths on veterans graves.   Info:  Dave Matthews of Never Forgotten Memorials .org  at  407.535.1728  sgtdavematthews @gmail. com

Wreaths Across America – Orange County – Sat. Dec. 12 - This even coincides with Wreaths Across America events across the country.  The public is welcome at 11:30 – 12:30 at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando, 1603 Greenwood St, Orlando, 32801. Volunteers needed to place wreaths on veterans graves.   Info:  Don Price at 407-246-2106  don.price @cityoforlando. net 

Army Reserve Dinner – Sat. Dec 12 – Members, families and friends of the 143rd ESC are having a “Dining Out” evening of dinner and fun.  The guest speaker is the Former Chief of the Army Reserve (CAR) Lieutenant General (LTG) Jack C Stultz, he is also the longest serving CAR in history.   Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, 9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819.  Corporate table sponsorships are welcomed and there are a few tickets left.  Tickets at: www. 143descdiningout. com  $320 for a table; $40 for GS12, E7, CW4, MAJ and Up (and guests); $25 for GS11, E6, CW3, CPT, and Below (and guests.)  Info:  Col. Roberson at 407-240-5939 ext 1815 or  407-495-8695.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·         Mission United is consolidating the various resources to help the homeless in the Orlando area, and especially the needs of homeless veterans.  Call  211 to access someone who will streamline the networks and maze for specific needs.

·         WoundedTimes. blogspot. com - Veterans News Service covering news that matters to veterans and their families. Local, state and national news, events, and stories – especially with videos involving Central Florida military and veterans. Dedicated to defeating Combat PTS.

·         The Navy Exchange (NEX) –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. The big white building on the west side of Tradeport -  7151 Earhart Dr., Orlando, 32827.    www. mynavyexchange. com  407-857-3550

Do you need hemming or alterations?  Free hemming for active duty and nominal charge for veterans.  Retirees:  Need new uniforms?  Florida heat/humidity is notorious for causing shrinkage while uniform hangs in the closet!  Get replacements here and have a comfortable waistband and buttoned front.  Unique items are being added to the store too.  New items and specialty foods coming.  LiftChairs and recliners event soon.  Watch for great scratch off coupon event coming up and get an extra 5%, 10%, 15%, 25% or 50% Off.  (Navy Exchange authorized patrons only)

·         MWR / ITT Ticket Office – Offers discounted attraction tickets to active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents. It is locate adjacent to the Navy Exchange (NEX) listed above.  Phone: 407-855-0116 or 407-851-4396 for details,   email: mwrorl @gmail .com  or Text MWROrlando to 30364 for MWR Specials.

·         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

·         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

And especially:

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….

It Takes the Strength of a Warrior to Ask for Help…

The journey after military service can be a difficult one. If you are Veteran 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, or find a Crisis Center near you.

Caring and sharing,

Cathy Haynes

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

407-239-8468

chaynes11629 @yahoo .com