Central Florida Veterans Events for September

From Cathy Haynes

September event list #1 - veterans, military and patriotic events in Central FL

 

Some very SHORT-NOTICE events for TONIGHT Fri. Sept 5 and TOMORROW Sat. Sept 6! 

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

 

Ocoee Lions Club annual Texas Hold’em Charity Poker Tournament and Eyeglass Collection Day – TONIGHT Fri. Sept 5 - Ocoee Lions Club (the Old Train Station) 108 Taylor St, Ocoee, 34761.  Registration at 6pm, Card shuffling at 7pm!  All are welcomed! The Ocoee Lions Club collects hearing aids and unwanted eyeglasses to provide exams, hearing aids and eyeglasses to those in need.  This fundraiser assists with that, providing holiday food baskets to families, organizing the Ocoee Christmas Parade and Santa Claus visiting children and other patients in the local hospital on Christmas morning.  Veterans participating in this event will receive extra playing chips. (I collected and donated several hundred glasses and hearing aids with the request for bonuses to veterans!)  Prison inmates at a local facility are trained to clean and evaluate the eyewear – Let’s keep them busy!  Bring your old eyeglasses, stay to play cards, food and soft drinks for players and enjoy a new circle of friends. Info:  Fred Wilsen  321-332-3192,fwilsen@gmail.com. 

 

The Boogie Woogie Veterans Show – TONIGHT Fri Sept 5 – Join Company B with the Andrew Sisters Musical Tribute Act at the Henegar Center in downtown Melbourne, 7pm – 9pm, 625 E New Haven Ave #119, Melbourne, 32901.  Open to the public, $25 per person – FREE for veterans!  www.henegar.com  Contact Justin at 321-724-5400 ext. 233  orJustin@MelbourneRegionalChamber.com

 

Operation Night for Heroes and Warriors – TONIGHT Fri Sept 5 – Live music, food, casino games, silent auction.  6pm to midnight at Valkaria Airport, 2865 Greenbrooke St, Malabar, FL 32950 (located 1 mile west of the central business district of the city of Grant-Valkaria in Brevard County.)  Donation: $25 per person or $40 per couple.  Space Coast Paratroopers Association Home for Warriors program.  Info: 321.745.0606 or  spacecoastparatroopers.com 

 

Stick Marsh Veterans Bass Challenge - Sat Sept 6 – NEEDED:  service connected disabled veterans and boaters willing to bring their boat out – NO charge!  Fishing teams of up to 3 (1 military veteran or active, 1 Municipal Leader, plus 1 Boat Captain) at The Stick Marsh, 6,500-acre reservoir near Fellsmere, west of Vero Beach.  Bragging rights and prizes will be awarded afterwards at the Bass Challenge BBQ hosted at Bass Pro Shops. Contact Justin at 321-724-5400 ext. 233  or Justin@MelbourneRegionalChamber.com

 

Central Florida Heroes on the Water – Sat and Sun Sep 6 and 7 – This group will host its monthly kayak fishing trip with a two day campout at Twin Oaks Park .  It is for "warriors" (Active Duty and Veterans) family members, Caregivers (fishing buddies also) and service dogs. We do a shore lunch and provide all of the equipment and instruction, the cost is always the same FREE. They are a 501.c.3 that operates from donations and grants and since this chapter started in Oct of 2013 have proudly served 231 warriors. There are 10 active chapters across the state and warriors can participate at any event by reserving their spot. Future local trips are Oct 4 at Ralph V. Chisolm Park East Lake Toho; Nov 1 on Shingle Creek; and Dec 6 on Lake Jackson.  Contact Tom Welgos, 407.414.8393  centralfl@heroesonthewater.org   www.heroesonthewater.org and click on the local chapter.

 

Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk – Sat Sep 6 -  Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs. Commemorative 9/11 run/walk.  On 9/11/2001, off-duty FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller strapped on 65 pounds of firefighting gear on his back and ran 3 miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers where he died at Ground Zero.  Being the youngest of 7 and orphaned at the age of 10, as well as having a wife and 5 kids, Stephen was loved by everyone which is why his family and friends started the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Funds raised will go towards their many programs, including the signature program, Building for America's Bravest which builds Smart Homes for the most catastrophically injured veterans.  Contact Race Director Kyle Albano at  kylealbano@gmail.com  (c) 407-383-1992    www.t2trun.org    Event info relayed by Mark Owens.

 

Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club (Station 10) 6th Annual 9/11 Memorial Event – Sat. Sept. 6 - Membership is made up of Firefighter's and others who are associated with the Fire Service.  This event commemorates the 343 firefighters lost in 2001 and starts 11am at the Hitching Post, 1485 South County Rd 419, Chuluota, 32766.  Flag and commemoration ceremony with bag pipes, 50/50 raffle, food and drink specials.  Contact Ron at 407-402-1281  fandi10pres@gmail.com (Notice with thanks to Joanne Breton)

 

End of Summer Bash – Sat. Sept 6 – Fundraising event supporting Wounded Warrior Project with a dance, entertainment and dinner.  The theme is Tropical Summer Nights from 4pm – 8pm, with a dinner of $2 hot dogs and $3 hamburgers.  Raffles and 50/50 drawings with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.  American Legion Post 286 Family at 529 E. Fairlane Ave., Orlando, 32809 in South Orlando (half of block west of Orange Ave. between Oak Ridge Ave. and Fairlane Ave.)  Sponsored by the Pine Castle area American Legion Family of friendly members (Legionnaires, Auxiliary and S.A.L Members.) Info:  407-859-1460.

 

Feasting for Firefighters, Honoring our Local Heroes – Sat. Sept 6 – Eastern Florida State College Collegiate Veterans Society is hosting this BBQ fundraiser from 10am-4pm at East Coast Christian Center, 680 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, 32953.  $8 meal tickets, games, popcorn, dunk tank, 50/50 raffle, fire engine, Coast Guard vessel, and public safety, Brevard Zoo Animal Encounter.  Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and U.S. Coast Guard Commander Bee Perry and Chief Aaron Morgan have volunteered to take turns in a dunking booth to help increase funds raised. Proceeds benefit Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department that needs five new self-contained breathing apparatus machines costing nearly $30,000.  Info:  collegiateveterans.us  or Suzanne at 321-537-6986.

 

9/11 Remembrance – Thurs. Sept 11 – American Legion Post #112 invites all to this Remembrance that coincides with 9-11 timeline events.  8am – 10am, Refreshments.  4490 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, 32792.  Info:  Post – 407.671.6404  or Jerry at 407.212.6587.

 

3rd Annual 9/11 Tribute – Thurs, Sept 11 - in Avalon Park Town Center.  4pm – 9pm.  Unique Special Event honoring our First Responders, Police, Fire and Military. There will also be a Motorcade, Entertainment Show and Tributes.  Free vendor spaces and for affiliated non-profit organizations. 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd. Orlando, 32828.  Contact Laura Burk, Game Plan Media  at 407-900-1915.

 

Free Legal Seminars – Weekly beginning in September – Viera and Titusville area.  Free legal seminars offered to the public with the intention of providing information on a variety of legal topics for 6 weeks.  Topic for Thurs. Sept 11 in Viera:  “Veterans Benefits” presented by Garren Cone of AVET Project.  6pm-8pm. Provided/coordinated by Space Coast Community Law School, at Moore Justice Center, 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Jury Assembly Room, Viera, 32940.    Topic on Thurs. Sept 18 – “Elder Law/Medicaid Preparedness.”  Titusville area seminars: Wed. Sept 17 – “DUI Laws and Related Changes” at Space Coast Community Law School Titusville campus, Brevard Room, 518 S. Palm Ave., Titusville, 32796.  Info and list of future topics:  spacecoastcommunitylawschool.com  321-269-6833

 

Pre-Ride Party for 10th Annual Jason Burnett Memorial USO Benefit Ride - Fri, Sept 12 - 6pm-10pm, hosted by Orlando Harley Davidson South, Hwy W-192, Kissimmee, 34747. (West of I-4, about 4.5 miles on Hwy 192) Free food and drink, live entertainment. www.usobenefitride.com

 

Every Day is Veteran’s Day – Sat. Sept 13 – Special tribute to veterans from 10am-1pm. Keynote speaker will be Brig. General Wilma Vaught, USAF (ret.), one of the most highly decorated women in U.S. history.  One Senior Place, 715 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, 32714.  407.949.6733   Organized by VITAS. 

 

10th Annual Jason Burnett Memorial USO Benefit Ride - Sat, Sept 13, at Orlando Harley Davidson South, 7786 Hwy 192 (aka Irlo Bronson Hwy), Kissimmee, 34747.  (West of I-4, about 4.5 miles on Hwy 192) Central Florida's largest motorcycle fundraising event in support of our military personnel.  (Marine Lance Cpl. Jason K. Burnett, of St. Cloud, died May 11, 2006 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Osceola County Sheriff Department Major Ron and Shelley Burnett are his parents.) 70 Mile police escorted ride. Registration 8:30 am to 1000am/ Ride departs 1030am.  After party 12 - 3 pm.  Silent auction, raffles, live music, lunch provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill.  $25 per person - each registration covers the cost of a USO Care Package to be sent to a deployed member of the U.S. Military.  Also there will be a custom car/bike show hosted by "Born To Ride".  Persons interested participating in car/bike show may register day of event.   usobenefitride.com  407-892-2246

 

Jason Burnett Memorial Texas Hold'em Tournament & Casino Games – Sat. Sept 13, 6pm - 11pm at Westgate Town Center Resort, 7700 Westgate Blvd., Kissimmee, 34747.  Grand Prize is 7 day stay at Westgate Las Vegas, NV.  Doors open at 5pm; Casino Games $40 entry donation ($40,000 Casino money, 2 drink tickets);  Texas Hold'em Tournament $100 buy-in donation ($10,000 chips, $10,000 casino money, food, open bar - beer & wine) Register at  usobenefitride.com/poker-tournament  407-892-2246

 

Honor, Hope and Glory – Sun. Sept 14 – Community wide prayer service in remembrance of those who died on September 11, 2001.  A time to thank our first responders and military.  All are invited.  4pm at Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 North Magnolia Ave., Orlando, 32801. Bishop Gregory Brewer will speak, St. Luke’s Cathedral Choir, Orlando Brass Quintet, and Orlando Deanery Boys Choir and Girls Choir.  Info: 407.849.0680 fchandler@stlukescathedral.org

 

Sept 14 is the 200th Anniversary of the writing of the poem that later became our national anthem.  Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort M’Henry” (yes – that was the original spelling!) after witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. When renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” it later became the national anthem of the United States of America by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was then signed by President Herbert Hoover.

 

Veterans of Osceola County exhibit – Tues. Sept.16 – New exhibit opens with a ribbon cutting at the Museum of Military History, 4:30 pm.  5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, 34746. 407-507-3894 for further information.  www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com 

 

POW/MIA Day – Fri. Sept 19 – Official day that remembers the military POW’s (prisoners of war) and the MIA’s (still missing is action) - see Orlando event on Fri. Sept 26.

 

Central Florida Building Homes for Heroes Golf Outing – Fri. Sep 19 - Reunion Resort, Kissimmee.  Flyer available upon request.  Sponsorships welcomed.  Contact Kim at 407-803-5398  kim.valdyke@buildinghomesforheroes.org

 

Veterans Tribute & Museum/Museum of Military History Tenth Anniversary Celebration – Sat. Sept. 20 - All day affair, 10 am Commanders Call (vendors, displays, sharing, etc.) snacks, entertainment, door prize every thirty minutes, lots of meet & greet.  Commemorative coins available.  Museum of Military History, 5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, 34746.  407-507-3894 for further information.  www.museumofmilitaryhistory.com 

 

Orlando City Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council POW-MIA recognition ceremony – Fri, Sept 26 - Orlando City Hall Rotunda, 10am.  Community is invited.  Local WW2 and Vietnam POW’s will attend.  UCF ROTC performs Missing Man Table Ceremony; Lake Highland Prep Principal Warren Hudson, Vietnam Navy veteran, will speak, and the Lake Highland Boys Choir will give a special performance.

 

Sep 27, Sat - Orlando Veterans Stand Down – providing services to veterans, especially homeless vets. Volunteers needed, sponsors and supporters welcomed.  Sean Gibbs at 407-893-0133   www.standdown.HSNCFL.org  

 

MORE INFO TO COME……

 

Caring and sharing,

 

Cathy Haynes

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

407-239-8468

chaynes11629@yahoo.com