More For Orlando Veterans To Do After Invictus Games

From Cathy Haynes

May list of veteran, military or patriotic events in Central Florida

 

Memorial Day events will be sent separately.

 

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

 

Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home – Sat. May 14 – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 21 veterans of WWII and 4 Korean War veterans return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport.  This group is composed of 10 Army, 9 Navy, 3 Marines and 3 Army Air Corps/Air Force veterans.  10 of them are over age 90.  This Honor Flight hub is a part of the nation-wide organization that takes 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 particular group will return just before 10pm and enter the terminal area at about 10:30pm. Come welcome these former warriors home!  “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports makes a difference!  Bring your flags, banners and signs! –Southwest Airlines # 2238 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. 

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!) - Contact Cathy Haynes for those details NLT 7pm   407-239-8468  chaynes11629 @yahoo .com

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 ticket upon entering the airport garage.  The vouchers will not work if you use the SunPass transponders – we cannot credit the charge back.

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

 

Mission United Education Fair – Sat. May 14 – This FREE event specifically geared towards veterans and eligible dependents with representation from 24 local schools both collegiate and technical.  VA benefits staff will be there to address any GI Bill and Voc Rehab questions and CareerSource will be there to address any local job market questions. 10am – 2pm.  From 11am – 12noon the event will also have a veteran panel discussion.  This will highlight the experiences of five veterans who will speak of their path choosing a school, degree program and how that helped them find success in the civilian sector.  Orange Technical College, Mid Florida Campus, 1600 Bldg., 2900 W. Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, 32809.   www. 211missionunited .org

 

Honoring the WASP fliers – Sat. May 14 – The Museum of Military History is sponsoring this FREE screening of “Silver Wings / Flying Dreams” as well as an OPEN House with reduced admission.  The Emmy nominated documentary tells the story of the Women Air Force Service Pilots – the WASPs - recently back in the national news.  $4 admission to the Museum during the day.  Free admission to the documentary reception at 5pm, showing at 6pm.  Donations are invited to provide DVD copies to area public schools.  5210 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee.  407-507-3894.

 

Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses mtg (FAVOB) – Tues May 17 – meeting at 10am, a “Chamber of Commerce” of sorts open to all veteran owned businesses, at American Legion Florida Department bldg., 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810.  19 states offer contract preferences to veteran owned businesses.  Florida is NOT one of them.  Our goal is to change that in big business, our cities, and counties too.  See FAVOB Facebook site.  Info:  Chairman Michael Waldrop  mwaldrop @blue-cord .com

 

Orange County Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council –Wed. May 18 – Changed time of meeting this month to 1pm; normally 1:30pm monthly meeting of numerous organizations and individuals for the benefit of Central FL veterans and active duty personnel.  Planning of events and awareness is shared.  Designated representatives allow groups to coordinate efforts and unite for the common cause.  If your Orange County /Central FL vet/military associated group isn’t attending, it should plan to get involved.  Mayor Teresa Jacobs is very supportive of a veteran-friendly community.  Contact Chairman Edwin Marrero for attendance and location information.  emarrero81 @cfl .rr. com 

 

Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home – WEDNESDAY  May 18 – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 16 veterans of WWII and 19 Korean War veterans (including 2 women veterans) return home thru Orlando Int’l Airport.  This group is composed of 15 Army, 9 Navy, 4 Marines and 7 Army Air Corps/Air Force veterans.  This Honor Flight hub is part of the nation-wide organization that takes 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.  Due to airline schedule changes, this particular group will return just after 11pm and enter the terminal area at about 11:30pm. Come welcome these former warriors home!  “Welcome Home” receptions at the airport makes a big difference for these senior veterans!  Bring your flags, banners and signs! –Southwest Airlines # 2703 from Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Terminal A, Airside 2 (hotel area in front of Starbucks.) Yes, it is late – but these honorable former warriors have been awake before 3am and deserve a nice “Welcome Home” reception!  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. 

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!) - Contact Cathy Haynes for those details NLT 7pm   407-239-8468-  chaynes11629 @yahoo. com

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 ticket upon entering the airport garage.  The vouchers will not work if you use the SunPass transponders – we cannot credit the charge back.

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

 

JOBS AVAILABLE – Several Heavy Equipment Operators are needed – part-time, temporary, ideal position for veterans!  Location is just east of Orlando – clearing wetlands area.  Must have clean background and a driver’s license.  Minimum starting salaries:  Trainees, $11.50 per hour;  Dump Truck Operators:  $13 per hour; Bulldozer Operators / Excavator Operators:  $15 per hour.  Salaries adjustable based on knowledge and experience.  No experience necessary as the employer is willing to train.  Send resume ASAP to Ella May Artis of VA’s Veteran Community Employment Coordinator at    ellamay.artis @va. gov   407-646-5500 x28846

 

Special thanks go to everyone who volunteered or attended the recent Invictus Games held in Orlando! 485 wounded service members from 14 countries competed in adapted athletic sports.  Much success was experienced in many areas – physically and mentally!  Central Florida has much to be proud of! Recorded Games and events may still possibly be seen at ESPN3 links.  I hope that you enjoyed the proceedings as much as I did!

 

Memorial Day events will be sent separately.

 

Caring and sharing,

 

Cathy Haynes

Member/supporter/volunteer for numerous veteran/military organizations in Central FL

407-239-8468

chaynes11629 @yahoo. com