Space Coast Attorneys Step up for Veterans

Local attorneys unite for veterans' causes 
FLORIDA TODAY
R. Norman Moody
January 29, 2016

"It makes people more aware of where a veteran can get help," said Dennis Vannorsdall, Brevare County Veterans Services manager.

VIERA As an Army veteran, Viera-based attorney Sara Goodin knows of some of the issues former service members face both in and out of the judicial system.

But many of the veterans, and the attorneys who serve them, don't know of the benefits available to veterans on the Space Coast.

So in conversation with other members of the Brevard County Bar Association, it was decided that sharing information while at the same honoring military men and women was a good way to better serve veterans.

"She mentioned that people did not know about their benefits," said Kim Torres, an attorney with Torres Mediation in Melbourne. "Our attorneys don't even know what available for their clients."

The Bar Association presented Salute to Our Military, a dinner and gathering Thursday night for attorneys, judges, leaders of military units in Brevard County, and veterans groups and organizations that provide services to veterans.
read more here

Report on Wounded Soldier Lacking Information

There are so many pull at your heart stories on our veterans that just don't seem to add up.

On this one, there are a few paragraphs with a "feel good" read to them however it doesn't really say much at all.

Hundreds gather to support Whitman veteran injured in Iraq WFXT News Jan 29, 2016

"Hundreds of people packed the Whitman VFW to help raise money for Paul Skarinka's family to pay for the cost of Paul's recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington."

Pay for cost of recovery at Walter Reed? Really? Walter Reed does not charge for wounded soldiers to get care. Skarinka was wounded in 2004, 12 years ago. Is he a veteran or still in the military? Is the reporter talking about the cost for his wife and child? Then why couldn't they go to Fisher House or any of the other charities funding places to stay nearby? Plus if "hundreds" gathered to raise funds for this wounded soldier, do you think they deserved more than a few paragraphs?

Florida Veterans Charities Feeling Sting After Wounded Warrior Project Report

Florida Veterans Charities Paying the Price of Service
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 30, 2016

If you donated because of a commercial pulling at your heart then BOHICA if you never noticed one simple fact. Wounded Warrior Project never says what they are doing with your money. They make no claims about why they even need your money other than to "honor and empower them to aid and assist each other."

They omit the fact that they only "serve" post 9-11 veterans but it is in their website. They have not hidden the fact they are getting huge sums of money donated to them as well as donating huge sums of money to other groups with the money you gave them to other groups.

See, the thing is, as much as all the CBS reporting may have you upset, you really need to blame yourself for not doing your own research just as all the major donators should have done.

The American Sniper Movie about Chris Kyle promised $1 million to Wounded Warrior Project by Warner Brothers instead of the Chris Kyle Foundation in April of 2015.

If you think the reports from CBS on Wounded Warrior Project are new, think again.

CBS WTVR News did another report last year. It showed the troubling accounting they were doing on fundraising and expenses included in on "services" they reported.

CEO responds after watchdogs give Wounded Warrior charity low marks APRIL 29, 2015, BY WEB STAFF

Nardizzi said the best way for a potential donor to gauge a charity is to research the charity directly, without relying on charity-watchdog web sites. But our investigation shows how a charity and a charity-checking organization can review the same data and come up with different results.

On the Wounded Warrior Project’s website, the charity says it spends 80 percent of its donations on its main services. But tax records show it also includes some fundraising expenses in that mix. Charity Navigator subtracts the fundraising and — in its most recent report — said the Wounded Warrior Project spends less than 60 percent on its services. The rest, according to Charity Navigator, went to fundraising and administration.

June 2015 UCLA received a grant from Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project has approved a $15.7 million grant over three years for UCLA Health to expand its Operation Mend program.

But there are others and they are proud to say how many grants they have given out with the funds you thought were going to the veterans they show in those famous commercials with the blankets covered with their famous logo.

November 2015

Southeastern Grocers Customers raise $526,825.66 for Wounded Warrior Project Grocers’ Wall of Honor campaign aids injured veterans and their families

May have sounded good but what they didn't tell you is that not all veteran mattered enough for the Southern Grocers to donate to a charity that excludes older veterans waiting even longer for help with the same wounds.

WWP not run by a veteran and according to reports, only about a third of their employees are veterans.
Steve Nardizzi bio on WWP shows no military service.

A Richardson Scholar, Steve graduated from Brooklyn Law School and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1997 and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 1999. He attended New York University, where he was a Trustee Scholar, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1993.

Maybe that's why he has no problem admitting that this charity is treated more like a business than a not for profit charity doing the work for the sake of veterans.

The majority of charities out there are not successful fundraisers.  However they are doing the work they promised to do, putting veterans needs ahead of getting your money.  All these reports have stung these groups, plus many more, more interested in veterans than raising awareness about themselves.

Local veterans advocates fear impact from Wounded Warrior reports
Tampa Tribune
By Howard Altman
Tribune Staff
January 29, 2016

TAMPA — As both a wounded veteran and a fund-raiser helping people like him, Pete Quintanilla says reports about lavish spending by the cause’s biggest charity — the Jacksonville-based Wounded Warrior Project — is making a tough job even tougher.

The Combat Wounded and Injured Veteran Challenge Team successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa, in 2013. The group is worried recent news about the Wounded Warrior Project will make their job more difficult. Combat Wounded and Injured Veteran Challenge Team

“There’s veteran fatigue,” said Quintanilla, director of operations for Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge, a St. Petersburg-based non-profit helping veterans through expeditions and research.

“People are tired of giving money for veterans because they don’t know what the money is being used for and they are not sure their dollar is going to help the veteran.”

This week, CBS and the New York Times ran reports raising questions about how the Wounded Warrior Project spends the money it takes in, largely from small donors.

CBS said financial reports show the Wounded Warrior Project spent more than $26 million in 2014 on conferences, meetings and events for staff members — “almost the same amount they spent on combat stress recovery, its largest program for veterans.”

Supporters locally still stand by the Wounded Warrior Project, including a severely wounded Iraq war veteran the charity has helped and the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain, which questions the fairness of the news reports.

Quintanilla and others who run local charities helping veterans say the questions about the Wounded Warrior Project spending leave them as collateral damage. They also have raised their own questions publicly before the news reports appeared.

“It’s going to be harder to raise money now,” said Quintanilla, a medically retired Army Ranger staff sergeant who was shot in the left ankle in Panama during a live-fire training exercise in 1997. His leg was amputated in 2004.

Quintanilla said his organization, which has about $80,000 in the bank, spends 86 percent of the money it raises directly on programs for veterans. That compares to 60 percent spent by Wounded Warrior Project, according to independent charity monitoring groups.

That’s also a concern for Bob Silah, a retired Navy captain who runs Operation Helping Hand, a Tampa-based charity providing assistance to wounded, ill and injured troops at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa.

Every month since 2004, the organization has hosted a dinner at the hospital honoring these troops and their families. As he collects donations at these gatherings from corporations and groups, Silah is quick to tell them 96.5 percent of the money raised by Operation Helping Hand goes to the troops and their families.

Unlike the Wounded Warrior Project, he adds, he and everyone associated with Operation Helping Hand do their work for free.
read more here

As for the roots of WWP this is how it started.

The Wounded Warrior Project’s roots are more humble. Its founder, John Melia, was a Marine veteran who had been injured in a helicopter crash off the coast of Somalia in 1992. When wounded troops began returning from Iraq in 2003, Mr. Melia remembered how he had arrived in a stateside hospital with only his thin hospital gown, and began visiting military hospitals to distribute backpacks stuffed with socks, CD players, toothpaste and other items.

As the backpack project grew, Mr. Melia hired a few employees, including Mr. Nardizzi, a lawyer who had never served in the military but was an executive for a small nonprofit, the United Spinal Association, which served disabled veterans.

WWP got the attention to help them raise all that money while other groups didn't even get attention for good works they were doing. Now WWP doesn't like the attention it is getting while other groups are paying for what they did. Doesn't seem fair at all.

Top Charities Do More For Veterans With Less Awareness For Themselves

Just to focus on something positive for a change, Top charities give larger portion to services than Wounded Warrior Project" on Stars and Stripes covered WWP but also covered what others do, so in a way, a valuable report to know next time you want to write a check.

“The donors’ money, they want it to go to the mission of Homes for Our Troops. So, if they give us $10, they want to know most of it is going to build that home,” said retired Army Gen. Richard Cody, chairman of the board for the charity, which builds specially equipped homes for veterans across the United States.

David Coker, president of the Fisher House Foundation, said his charity largely operates by word of mouth without marketing. It spent about 2 percent of its money on fundraising in 2014.

“We think if we just focus on meeting the needs in our lane that good things are going to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, 91 percent of Fisher House expenses went directly into free lodging for military families so they can be close to a loved one during an illness or medical treatment. The group operates 67 locations and served about 25,000 families in 2014.

So pretty much, money has been donated to raise awareness about WWP while others do more work with less and don't advertise for themselves.

Seat Saved At Soldier's Field for Missing in Action

Empty seat at Soldier Field dedicated to POWs, MIAs
Chicago Tribune
Brianna Gurciullo
January 28, 2016

The open seat, which is fenced off between an American flag and POW/MIA flag, honors prisoners of war and service members declared missing in action.

Rolling Thunder, Illinois Chapter One, members Kandice Jacobs, from left

Gary Bills and Dina Derman look at a chair dedicated to prisoners of war

and missing in action military personnel after a ceremony at Soldier Field

on Jan. 28, 2016. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Rolling Thunder members, donning leather jackets with biker patches, hats and sunglasses, filed by a lone chair, plaque and set of flags Thursday afternoon at Soldier Field.

Some stopped and saluted. A man and woman stood arm in arm and looked at the arrangement.

"America the Beautiful" played over speakers. Later, snow flurries began to fall as several members posed for a photo together.

More than 83,000 military personnel remain missing from conflicts as long ago as World War II, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
read more here

Trump Raised Millions for Veterans To Do What?

The reporting sure has gone crazy lately! All of us know the problems we're having, especially when dealing with folks donating blindly for things veterans need but never seem to get.  As if all the "awareness" crap wasn't bad enough but now it seems some just don't care where the money is going.

CNN reported this today.

$6 million for 22 veterans' groups

He predicted that the amount of money that he had raised through a website and through personal calls to wealthy friends who contributed to the cause would impress Iowans. "I think this money is going to continue to pour in."

The Trump campaign on Thursday night released a list of 22 veterans' organizations that will share the more than $6 million fundraising haul.

The organizations run the gamut from groups focused on helping veterans with disabilities and mental health problems to those aimed at helping veterans reintegrate into civilian society.

But ABC reported this today as well

Trump's Veteran Site Funnels Money to His Personal Non-Profit 
ABC 13 News
BY EMILY-ERIN ROBINSON
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29TH 2016

Donald Trump began a firestorm when he declined last night's GOP debate in order to host his own event a mere 8 minutes away to benefit veterans. Suspicions began to appear first when his spokeswoman couldn't name a single vet group that they plan to help. Then, suspicions continued when people began to investigate his veteran site, donaldtrumpforvets.com.

The Federalist, one organization who looked into the site's credibility, said that the site is odd as it is merely,"... nothing more than a single page with stock photos and a credit card donation form, claims that '100% of your donations will go directly to Veterans needs.'" The problem? The Federalist reports that Trump is channeling all donations for veterans to his personal Donald J Trump Foundation, which has treated veterans more as an afterthought. read more here

Charity Took Back Service Dog

Charity reclaims service dog after veteran Brandon Garrison’s lie
Stars and Stripes
By Travis J. Tritten
Published: January 29, 2016

Army Spc. Brandon Garrison, doing base security patrol while at

Forward Operating Base Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in June 2006.

COURTESY OF BRANDON GARRISON

WASHINGTON – A Kansas City military charity has reclaimed a service dog it donated to a veteran after he lied about trying to save a fellow soldier’s life in Afghanistan.

The group Food Industry Serving Heroes took the Boykin Spaniel from Brandon Garrison earlier this month after threatening legal action. A Stars and Stripes investigation in September detailed how Garrison, a former Army specialist hailed as a hero in Kansas, lied for years to Sgt. Christopher Wilson’s mother about being at her son’s side when he died on the battlefield.

“In light of everything we’ve discovered this dog never should have been given to [Garrison],” said Paul Chapa, a founder of the nonprofit group.

In 2007, Wilson was deployed to the Korengal Valley with the 10th Mountain Division and was manning a firebase when he was struck and killed by recoilless rifle fire in a Taliban attack. Garrison, 29, had not held Wilson as he died, despite the story he told the sergeant’s mother, and was instead in the main sleeping tent at the nearby Korengal Outpost, where he spent his deployment inside the wire as a vehicle parts clerk.
read more here

Young Marines show respect for Vietnam veteran

Thank you for your service: Young Marines show respect for Vietnam veteran
Belleville News Democrat
BY PATRICK KUHL
January 29, 2016

‘I knew they were military by their haircuts – high and tight’
Actions got the attention of diners at Caseyville restaurant
Even 32-year police officer got emotional

“When the waiter came over after the meal, waving the check, he said, ‘This is your lucky day. Those young men bought your dinner.’

Vietnam Veteran Lou Zezoff was overwhelmed by the generosity shown by several Marines during his recent dinner. Derik Holtmann

The Marines landed in Caseyville at seventeen hundred thirty hours on 15 JAN 16.

Lou Zezoff, of Granite City, will never forget it.

“My wife Annette and I went out to dinner at Cracker Barrel,” Lou said a week and a half later, wearing the same “US Navy Vietnam Vet” cap he wore that evening. “When we were seated, I noticed five young men sitting at a round table. I knew they were military by their haircuts — high and tight.”

Lou and Annette ordered fried cod. It came with a side of R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

After the Zezoffs finished ordering, the Marines sprang into action.

“One of the young came over and stood at our table. I stood up and we were eyeball-to-eyeball,” Lou said. “He threw out his hand, thanking me for my service.”

A second one came did the same. “He said, I’m thanking you for all five of us,” motioning to the others.

Lous waved in acknowledgement, then went over to talk with them briefly.
read more here

Disney Finest Hours Honors Coast Guard

“The Finest Hours” celebrates a heroic, near impossible Coast Guard rescue — one of many in Coast Guard history
SALON.com
DAVID HELVARG
FRIDAY, JAN 29, 2016

From New Orleans after Katrina to a daring San Francisco Bay rescue, up-from-below leadership took center stage

In the book turned Disney action movie ‘The Finest Hours,” due out Jan. 29, Chris Pine plays real-life Coast Guard hero Bernie Webber. In February 1952 Webber and his crew of three saved 32 of 33 sailors trapped on the stern end of the Pendleton, a ship that split in two during a historic storm off New England. The Pendleton was one of two war-surplus tankers that were torn asunder by the monster storm’s 40-60-foot waves. Webber’s seamanship running his 36-foot motor lifeboat through snow-blown surf and making a near impossible rescue quickly earned him a place in the annals of gold-medal lifesaving.

Still, his rescue is just one of many in Coast Guard history. Its ranks of heroes who’ve pulled off similar amazing feats range from Alaska’s “Hell Roaring” Mike Healy to North Carolina’s Rasmus Midgett and Richard Etheridge to Rhode Island Lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis to the aviators and small boat crews who surged into New Orleans and the Gulf Coast following 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, saving 33,000 lives.
read more here

Central Florida February Veterans Events

Jan/Feb list of Central FL veteran, military and patriotic events

From Cathy Haynes

*This is a list of unique events in Central Florida – events that have been shared with me. 

*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.  

Suggested delayed New Year’s Resolutions:

·         If you moved in/to Florida and bought a home, have you filed for your 2016 Property Tax Exemption?  Deadline of March 1 at your county office.

·         Apply for your DD214 (aka: discharge papers), Service Medical Records, and Awards records. These may take several months to receive.  Get them before you really need them.

·         Join a military/veterans organization.

·         Pledge at least one or one additional hour a month in service to veterans in our communities.

NEX – Navy Exchange Special!  For persons eligible for NEX, scratch off coupon events will take place at the Navy Exchange January 27- February 2. Get an extra 5%, 10%, 15%, 25% or 50% Off with use of the coupon.  1 in 3 cards has 10% Off or better!  (Eligible persons are all branches of active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their dependents. See below.)  Authorized patrons are encouraged to join the mailing list to receive scratch-off coupons and flyers.  There are two ways you can sign up: by going online to www. myNavyExchange  .com or by calling NEXCOM customer service at 1-800-628-3924, available 24/7.

 “The Finest Hours” - Fri Jan 29 – Release of Disney’s Coast Guard rescue film starring Chris Pine and based on a true story of a 1952 nor’easter off of Cape Cod, Mass. 

FOUR CHAPLAINS COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY – Sun. Jan 31– American Legion Post 112 at 2pm - Vice Commander Jerry Dress, a Korean War vet, has worked very hard to coordinate this event with Sea Cadets and Scouts. Come support good kids with your attendance!  Four chaplains from several religions and denominations assisted military personnel and civilians before their ship, USAT Dorchester, sank in the Atlantic Ocean on Feb. 3, 1943.  The chaplains gave up their life jackets and helped persons onto life boats.  They joined arms, prayed and sang hymns before they died together. Free and open to the public.  Amer. Legion Post 112, 4490 North Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, 32792

Military Appreciation Day at UCF – Sun, Jan 31 – UCF basketball against UConn.  4pm start.  Free Tickets for all Active Military, veterans and first responders.  Free T-shirt for the first 1000 fans.  VISIT: ucfknights.co /mbbmilitary16    Deadline to “purchase” Friday Jan 29 at 5pm.  Questions - 407-823-1000

February is Black History Month.  Review some of the historical contributions made by Buffalo Riders, Tuskegee Airmen, Montford Point Marines, and others.

Angel’s Life Baklava “Valentines” Fundraiser - Bundles of homemade "Baklava" made with freshly chopped walnuts and pistachios, sweet rich honey & light layers of phyllo dough.  $15.00 per box of 9 bundles (Gift Box & Tissue.)  Order Deadline by Tues, Feb 9, 4pm.  Orders to Pick-up in store at the Oviedo Mall (Macy’s side) OR delivery fee of $4.95.  To order go to mkt.com /angels-life-foundation/ baklava-fundraiser  OR  Contact jovanna @angelslife. org   407-375-9728 by a CF Mom, Aida. Local Gold Star Mother, Jovanna Nelson, is working with Angel’s Life Foundation by raising funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis.  Her son, Army SPC Brenden N. Salazar-Nelson, was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan on July 22, 2012.  His only sibling, Hannah, has Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic life-threatening disease.   Army Reserve LCol. Jovanna Nelson also is an event planner in the Central FL area.

Marine Corps League Orlando - Tues, Feb 2 - Cpl. Larry E. Smedley, Detachment 064 Monthly Meeting, 7pm – 8pm at the Orange County Library, 4324 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 -- Herndon Meeting Room 1.  All interested persons are welcomed.  Info:  Sam McCloud  407-595-9508 mclcfl @gmail. com or mcl.orlando.commandan t@ gmail. com

(Cpl. Larry Smedley was an Orange County resident and enlisted in the Marine Corps.  He was killed in Vietnam on December 21, 1967 after heroic actions were seen in battle.  He earned the Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously; he was 18 yrs old.)

City of Orlando Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council – Thurs. Feb 4 – 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

7th Annual Orlando Chili Cook Off – Sat Feb 6 – Southeast Regional Championship of tasty chili samples – From Over 100 Different Chili Booths!  Unlimited samples are included in your ticket price. Live music all day, featured bands include Wilted Chilis, The Holcomb Brothers Band and Common Man.  Kids Zone Sponsored by Fun Spot; The World Chili Eating Challenge featuring Championship eaters Joey "Jaws" Chestnut and Miki Sudo.  Gates open 12noon at Festival Park,  2911 E. Robinson St, Orlando, 32803 - just west of Orlando Executive Airport.  Advance Adult tickets: $15 (until 2/5/16) Day of Adult: $20.  BUT – you can save $5 by going to:  OrlandoChiliCookoff.com/tickets   Enter promo code  GIVE2VETS   A portion of the ticket proceeds go to Camaraderie Foundation, which provides healing for invisible wounds of war through counseling, emotional, and spiritual support for all branches of military service members, veterans and their families. (Camaraderie Foundation:  407-841-0071  Lives and families HAVE been saved!)

Veteran Infused Employment Workshops – Tues – Thurs, Feb 9 - 11, - Various free classes offered to veterans that will assist in job searching.  Lake Nona VA Hospital site, 4th Flr, Rm 106A/B, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, 32827.  Feb 9 workshop – Creating your Job Search Tactics and Network;  Feb 10 – Goals, Resumes, and Interviewing; Feb 11 – Performance Excellence, Mock Interviews, and Graduation.  Workshops are 10am – 2pm, Lunch is NOT provided.  Contact Annie Artis, vhaorlhvces @va. gov  407-629-1599 x28846.

Central Florida Navy League mtg – Wed. Feb 10 - Guest speaker this month is CDR Riley Gatewood, USCGC's Vigilant Commanding Officer.  The Vigilant performs a wide variety of service based from Port Canaveral.  The Navy League is composed of citizens in support of the United States sea services – Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.  Many members are military veterans but military service is NOT required.  The local CFNL is one of the largest in Florida with fun and educational monthly meetings with a very diverse membership.  Lunch meeting at Holiday Inn, UCF, 1724 Alafaya Trail, Orlando, 32826, at 11:30 and luncheon ends promptly at 13:00.  Luncheons are $20 prepaid by 10am Feb 9; or $25 at the door. Prepay by credit card online at  www. cfnavyleague .org    Membership inquiries: Bob Karas  navleaguecenfl@juno.com    407-977-7575

FAVOB After Hours – Wed. Feb 10 - Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) sponsors this After Hours "FREE"event!!! Come join us for drinks, fellowship and networking at the Club 39 at the Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, 32819 (just north of the older section of the Orange Co. Convention Center.)  6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Open to all civilians and veterans alike....You don't have to be a vet to support the veteran business community!  Special reduced pricing on drinks and appetizers has been arranged.  Complimentary self parking.   Info:  jrice @ supportingstrategies. com

VA Art Show – Fri, Feb 12 – Veterans provide their hand work in a variety of Fine Arts, Applied Arts and Crafts in a competition.  Items can be seen from 12noon to 3pm in the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, Auditorium A on the 4th flr.  Items are:  paintings, drawings, leather drafting, woodworking, metalwork, pottery, etc.  Entries are still being accepted, registration ends Jan 30, and art work should be submitted on Feb 8, 9, or 10. Info:  Jenny Danieli at 407-631-7110  jenny.danieli @va. gov

Valentine’s Day Dinner and Day – Sat. Feb 13 – A very nice fundraiser sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 11488.  A portion of proceeds will benefit Home At Last that assists wounded warriors with local specially adapted homes. Tickets/information available by contacting Jim McQuillan at 407-877-2149.   Also available after the Masses at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, 32819.  (Southwest Orlando.) Obtain your tickets early, this event has sold out in previous years. Event will be in their St. Patrick Social Hall.  $25 Prime Rib dinner and dance from 6pm – 11pm.  Silent auction, 50/50 raffle and more.  Flyer available.  dad @ mcquillanfamily. com 

Operation Love Letters – Sat. Feb 13 – 4th annual Valentine letter writing by military family members who are grieving their personal losses, whether the servicemen or women died in combat or not.  Letters are attached to balloons and released.  Please let other grieving military families know about this event – they move in and out of our communities and may want an opportunity to connect with others who understand.  Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) who offers long term assistance at no charge to all surviving military families, regardless of branch, in a large section of Cent. FL.  Contact Gwendolyn Hannah, 407-240-5939 X 1746,  gwendolyn.c.hannah.ctr @mail. mil  (Assistance after hours, contact the Army Reserve Family Programs Fort Family Support and Outreach Center - 1-866-345-8248. Serving Soldiers and Families 24/7/365.)

Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch and Jazz – Sun Feb 14 – Public invited, food, music, games and prizes at Doubletree by Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 2080 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, 32931. $85 per couple, $11 per child age 5-12.  Sponsor a table for 10 with your logo for $500.  Sponsor a military family (2 adults, 2 children) for $100.  Info:  kim @avetproject .org  321-373-7046.

Veterans Business Initiative Kick Off – Tues, Feb 16 – Program of veteran job matching, entrepreneurship education and training, federal employment navigation and financial training.  Many large local employers are participating to provide a one-to-one, face-to-face effort that gets the best potential employees into great jobs.  Sponsored by Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce (CFDCC), the Veterans Business Initiative, and CareerSource.  8:30am – Noon at CFDCC, National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, 32803.  Info:  Rogue Gallart 407-420-4875 rogue@nationalec.org  or Jaime Quarnoccio   407-531-1231 x7339  jquarnoccio@careersourcecf.com

Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses mtg (FAVOB) – Tues Feb 16 – 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. Feb 17– 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 Col. Edwin Marrero for attendance and location information. emarrero81 @cfl.rr .com 

Retiree Appreciation Day – Sat. Feb 20 – Military retirees can enjoy a variety of speakers from the Department of the Army, Veterans Affairs, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) and others.  Special guest will be Army SMA Raymond Chandler III (ret.)  Information provided by Tricare, Exchanges from the Army, Air Force and Navy, etc.  All service branch retirees and their families are invited.  9am – 3pm at The Venue at UCF (University of Central Florida) at 12777 Gemini Blvd N., Orlando, 32816 located behind the CFE Arena.  Sponsored by Fort Stewart.

Black History Month Recognition – Sat. Feb 20 – Museum of Military History   10am – 3pm.  Buffalo Soldiers, first responder displays, military reenactors, USO, and more.  5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy, Kissimmee, 34746.  Office: 407-507-3894  sgtmccloud @juno .com 

Central Florida Veterans Inc. mtg – Tues Feb 23 – 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 at 5:30pm.  Info:  Greg Smith at 901-438-7734  farside53 @ gmail .com

Children’s Book Launch – Fri. Feb 26 – “Patriot Pup” the first in a series of children's patriotic books designed to educate and inspire future generations to love our country.  7pm at The Academy of Learning, 445 South Orange Blvd., Sanford, 32771.  “Patriot Pup” is written by Elisa Camara and she includes her only brother in the story.  Marine Sgt. Mecot Camara was one of 241servicemen killed in the Beirut Bombing of 1983. After launch party/reception at DAV Chapter #30, 3512 South Orlando Dr., Sanford, 32773.  Info:  elisa @americanbrother .us

Greeters needed!  FLIGHTLESS Honor Flight Welcome Home – Sat.Feb 27– Flightless Honor Flight by the Villages hub.  If you cannot attend the evening “Welcome Home” events at OIA, come to this event!  There are 15 WW2 or Korean warriors who, for various reasons, cannot make the flight trip to Washington DC to see their memorial - (hence the term “Kiwi” – a flightless bird).  They will receive a virtual trip in 5 hours – everything except for leaving the ground.  You can participate in the “Welcome Home” at 2:30pm at the American Legion Post 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!  Info: Village Honor Flight website or Liza at  860-235-7718   lizadiana@ aol.com

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery opened for first interments of casketed or cremated remains of eligible Veterans, spouses or dependents.  The 318-acre cemetery in Brevard County will serve the burial needs of more than 163,000 Veterans in the cemetery’s service area for the next 100 years.  The land, located at 5525 U.S. Highway 1, between Huntington Avenue and Johns Road, was purchased in July 2012 for $2.1 million. The property is located approximately two miles south of Interstate 95, Exit #231, and approximately 12 miles north of Titusville.

National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.

Univ. of Central FL Business Incubation Program – Assistance with the many aspects of starting or advancing businesses, including veteran owned businesses.  Expert advice, mentoring, and classes available – contact  michael.weiss @ucf. edu

Upcoming classes:  Tues Feb 23 - Keys to Making Your Business Grow & Reduce Taxes at Kissimmee campus.   Wed Mar 9 - HR's Role as a Vital Contributor to Your Organization's Success at Kissimmee campus.  Also:  Government Contracting Seminar Series with multiple dates and times.  Topics include: Introduction to Federal Government Contracting: Where Do I Start?; GSA and Multiple Award Schedules; Subcontracting and Teaming; and Bids & Proposals.

Mark your calendar – info upcoming; Sponsorships, volunteering, donations are likely welcomed.

Sat Mar 5 - Marine Corps PFT (Physical Fitness Test) Challenge at Blanchard Park in Orlando; benefiting the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation.

Sun. Mar 6 – Firearms Fun Night – shooting competition presented by AVET Project in Melbourne.

Sun Mar 30 – Golf Tribute to LCol Earle Denton.  Rio Pinar Country Club.

Sun. Apr 2 – Kids on the Water – free day of activities for kids at Wickham Park, per AVET Project. 

Sun. Apr 17 – Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall arrives for a week at the Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion.  Large motorcycle and first responder vehicle escort leaving Eastern Florida State College, Clearlake Rd, Cocoa at 10am.

Thurs – Sun. Apr 21 – 24 - Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion – 29^th Annual nation’s largest gathering in Melbourne.

May 8-12 - The Invictus Games, an international adaptive-sporting event for injured military members, held at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.  More than 500 wounded or sick, with visible and non-visible wounds, serving or ex-military athletes from more than a dozen nations will gather.  10 competitive events including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.  I have been in touch with planning staff who are currently in Wash. DC.  Possible lists for volunteering could begin towards the end of February. 

INFO:

·         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.

·         Shades of Green Resort – Armed Forces Recreation Center (a DOD) on Disney property provides various packages for active duty, reservists, guardsmen, 100% service connected disabled, and retired military personnel and their families.  Go to www. shadesofgreen .org  for information.  Special discounts for rooms may be available based on occupancy levels, and special ticket rates.  (407) 824-3400

·         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

·         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

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