Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Central Florida Veterans Events

From Cathy Haynes


October - Veteran, military and patriotic events in Central Florida
                                                                                                                                                                            
Sorry, folks, I’ve been totally consumed with caring for a senior family member with medical issues.  I’ve had/needed/wanted to attend to her and set all other things aside.  It will take me more time to catch up on emails, phone calls, sleep and life in general.
*This is a list of unique events in Central Florida.  A list of group meetings and miscellaneous information will be provided in a separate list due to the amount of information received.
*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.
*Every effort is made to put a space into email addresses and websites to avoid Spam flags.  If you use ‘Copy and Paste’ to make contact or get additional information, please keep this in mind. 


Tues. Oct 6 – MAJOR Veteran Job Hiring event - held at the Citrus Bowl on October 6, 2015 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Orlando VA Medical Center, in partnership with Orlando Jobs, and sponsored by Orlando Health, Job Path, SunTrust and other veterans advocate organizations.  The following will be at the event:
·       Free Transportation is being provided by LYNX – Please provide Veteran with COLORED copy of the attached flyer.
·       Interview clothing.
·       Resume preparation.  
·       Bonding will be provided for those Veterans with criminal backgrounds if necessary.
·       VJO will be there to assist Veterans with questions.
·       Showers will be available if needed.
·       IDignity will be there to provide IDs if necessary.
·       A HVRP representative will be there to process Veterans who are homeless for employment resources (i.e. certifications, clothing, tools and employment)
Flyer available upon request (required for the free bus transportation) from ellamay.artis @ va.gov, chaynes11629 @ yahoo.comand others.
POINT OF CONTACT:  Ellamay "Annie" Artis, CESP - Veteran Community Employment Coordinator,  (c)l 407-307-9101 ellamay.artis @ va.gov
Home at Last Project Golf Tournament – Thurs. Oct 8 - Windermere Charities Central Florida (WCCF) Foundation is having a fund raising golf tournament at Marriott Orlando World Center Resort's Hawk's Landing Golf Course.  Proceeds will help the Home at Last Project build a house for disabled Marine SSgt Sergeant Brandon Wittwer, wife Kassandra and children Kaydence, Karter and Kylee.   Brandon enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002. During his deployment to Iraq in 2006 as a Scout Sniper Team Leader, his unit was ambushed. Despite severe head, neck, and back pain as a result of an RPG explosion, he continued to assist injured Marines in his unit. Following rehab and time with his family, SSgt. Wittwer redeployed in 2013. During a training exercise while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, SSgt. Wittwer suffered further spinal injuries. Over time his mobility is expected to be limited to the use of a wheelchair. 
Come and enjoy a great day of golf, and help provide support for our heroes. The event will include a 4 - person scramble, breakfast buffet, beverage cart, and a special lunch following the golf tournament. Featured events for the day include Silent and Live auctions, and on course events including a Hole-in-One contest.  The donation is $175 per player - $650 per foursome. 
Registration begins at 0700, shotgun at 0830.  Donations and sponsorships welcomed!  Info:  Windermere Charities Central Florida (WCCF) Foundation    wccfcharities.org    407.361.8827
October 13 – Happy Birthday United States Navy!  Established October 13, 1775!  Thank a sailor, past or present, for his/her service!
FAVOB – Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses – Tues. Oct 13 - THIS IS A "FREE" EVENT!!! Come join us for drinks, fellowship and networking at the Orlando Improv Comedy Club!  5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Orlando Improv Comedy Club, 9101 International Dr., Orlando, 32819 You don't have to be a Vet to Support the Veteran Business Community!   Our last event had roughly 100 Business Professionals in attendance. Please 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 and let’s see if we can reach 150 participants!  50/50 Drawing so bring some cash! Winner receives half of the Pot! Please RSVP at:   www. meetup.com/ Florida-Association-of-Veteran-Owned-Businesses /events/ 225421721/ so we can get an accurate accounting of the number of people who plan on attending.   Jrice@  supportingstrategies.com
2nd Infantry Division Association of Florida – Fri and Sat. Oct 16-18 – Annual gathering in Titusville for all veterans of the Second Indianhead Division.  Special hotel rates and fun.  Contact Mike Davino at 919-498-1910  2ida.mail@ charter.net 
Young Marines Military Ball – Sat. Oct 17 - Sponsorships/donations welcomed for this fine group of young men and women, ages up to high school.  You don’t see or hear about them in wrong-doings for a reason.  6pm to 9:30pm at Elks Lodge # 1079, 12 North Primrose DR., Orlando, 32803.  Adults and Young Marines 11 and older $25, YM's 5 to 10 years old will be $12.50, Info:  John Gionet at 407-963-9388 sgtmajgna@ earthlink.net or Sally Osteen at 321-297-2579 osteen9195@ aol.com
Greeters needed!  Honor Flight Welcome Home – Orlando Int’l Airport –After a day spent in Washington DC, 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. 
Sat Oct 17 –-25 vets   Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm.
Fri Oct 23 – 25 vets - Southwest Airlines #407 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 8.35pm.
Sat Oct 24 – Central FL hub –Information obtained from Facebook – 50 vets - Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm. 
Wed Oct 28 – 35 vets - Southwest Airlines #915 from BWI; Arriving MCO at 10pm.
THESE ARE THE LAST FLIGHTS FOR 2015 - THERE WILL BE NO MORE FLIGHTS UNTIL SPRING 2016.  Senior veterans and unpredictable winter conditions don’t always mix well…. Come welcome all these former warriors home!  “Welcome Home” receptions at the airports make a difference!  Bring your flags, banners and signs! 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  - 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!
Military Order of the Purple Heart – Wed. Oct 21 - the Military Order of the Purple Heart which has history back to George Washington and the American Revolution.  Join Orlando Chapter 400 at 7pm, Orlando Elks Lodge, 12 N. Primrose Dr., Orlando, 32803.   Contact mmichles@  att.net   407-382-9737
Halloween Party Military and Family Friendly – Sat. Oct 31 - There will be a Haunted House, treats, snacks and games for the children.  Free.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  3pm – 5pm at American Legion Family at Post 286 Pine Castle, 529 E. Fairlane Ave., Orlando, 32809 (north of Sand Lake Road on Orange Ave. in south Orlando.)  The American Legion Post 286 Pine Castle Department of Florida members, the Legionnaires, American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion, make up what is known as The Legion Post 286 Family.  “Working Together as ONE”,  all three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship and  better places in which to live.   
Children and Youth Committee embraces all activities for improvement of conditions of life in the community where the American Legion Family is located. It has been a major activity of The American Legion and Auxiliary since 1926, and has resulted in the completion of a vast number of projects to make American communities.  This is a very pro-active and involved Post!  407-859-1460
ON THE HORIZON
Nov 7 – 4th Annual Ruck Sack March sponsored by Camaraderie Foundation to benefit warriors, past and present, and their families who seek counseling for PTS issues. 3, 6 or 12 mile challenge at Lake Nona. You can participate as a Walker/Runner or compete for prizes as a Warrior, in which you must carry at least 35 lb. in your ruck sack or backpack.  Registration and Sponsorships available at www. rucksackmarch2015.kintera. org
Nov 14 – Orlando Veterans’ Day Parade – Florida’s largest. Volunteer opportunities available. 
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 
Marine Corp’s 2015 Toys for Tots Drive - Sun, Nov 15 – Mayfair Country Club is the site.  Registration-8am.  Tee Time-9am.  All toys and donations will go to the USMC T4T’s.  Registration form will be available at Mayfair Country Club Pro Shop or you can print form from Mayfair’s facebook page.  The format is a 4 person scramble with a shotgun start. Submit your name as a single; or build your own team. Event cost is $35.25 per player and $12 for the luncheon that includes gratuity. Payment is due by Oct 31st. Make the check out to John Craft and mail this form, with the check, to John Craft, 315 Silver Pine Drive; Lake Mary FL 32746, or drop this registration at the Mayfair Country Club Pro Shop. Bring a picture of yourself or a loved one in military uniform, and we will post it on our “Military Wall of Fame”. Loyalty Card members will pay their seasonal price and the $12.00 for lunch by Oct 31st. All players must donate a toy or gift certificate to be eligible to play. The toy or gift card will be collected at the registration table while checking in. The number of players will be held to 100. Please bring an item to be sold in our Silent Auction. Silent auction proceeds will be used to purchase additional toys   Questions call John Craft at 407-417-3156, usnflorida @ bellsouth.net
Nov 19 – UCF Football Military Appreciation game.  UCF versus East Carolina.  Thurs. night 7:30pm
Operation Holiday Cheer – There are about 600+ warriors from Central Florida who are currently deployed and will likely remain abroad over the holidays – many are in less than friendly areas.  The Sunshine Chapter of Association of the United States Army (AUSA) as well as some other groups will be gathering items to send.  Be thinking about the men and women who are serving our country and stock up on various items on sale – please be mindful of the various regulations and restrictions of some items.  Donations of monies would be welcomed, too, as it helps to defray the shipping costs.  Further information will be forthcoming.
Jan 7-10, 2016 - SVA's 8th Annual National Conference - in Orlando. The largest conference for America's Student Veterans.
Caring and sharing,
Cathy Haynes
Member/supporter of numerous veteran and military organizations in Central FL
407-239-8468
chaynes11629@  yahoo.com


And don't forget the Orlando Nam Knights BIKEtoberfest party Oct 17th- OFFICIAL FUNCTION Orlando Nam Knights Eternal Chapter Memorial/Biketoberest Party will be Saturday, October 17th.

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