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President Donald Trump declared November 2018 the second annual National Veterans and Military Families Month to "salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and...celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world."
Beginning in 2017, President Trump proclaimed November Veterans and Military Families Month, marking the first time America celebrated Veterans and military families for the entire month and not just on Veterans Day, in keeping with the President's strong focus on improving care and benefits to our nation's heroes.
That tradition continues again this year with more than 300 events at VA hospitals, benefits offices and cemeteries across the country, including:
- senior leader visits to VA facilities
- open houses
- town halls
- benefits claims clinics
- volunteer recognitions
- homeless Veteran initiative events
- suicide prevention events
- faith-based community events
- flag planting tributes at national cemeteries
To celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month locally, the Orlando VA Medical Center will hold the following events honoring Veterans and their families throughout the month of November:
- The Orlando Vet Center Open House, in collaboration with the Orlando VA Medical Center Welcome Home Event, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Orlando Vet Center located at 5575 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite #30 Orlando, FL 32822. Join us for a day of free family fun, food, music, activities and door prizes! For more information, please call Elizabeth Jackson at 407-857-2800.
- Orange and Osceola County Veterans Treatment Court Honoring All Who Serve Ceremony. Hosted by the Orlando VA Medical Center on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. Orlando VA Medical Center on the 4th Floor Auditorium 4F, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, Florida 32827.
- Viera VA Outpatient Clinic Veterans Day Recognition on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at 1 p.m. in the lobby located at 2900 Veterans Way Viera, FL 32940.
- Last Role Call Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Orlando VA Medical Center 4th Floor Main Auditorium, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, Florida 32827. Please join us as we pay tribute to our Orlando VA Medical Center enrolled Veterans who have recently passed away. The memorial service will include Jim Gray, Orlando City Commissioner and Air Force Veteran, a musical performance and Roll Call. For more information, please email Rachelle.Flamio@va.gov.
- Melbourne Vet Center Open House on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the Melbourne Vet Center, 2098 Sarno Rd. Melbourne, Florida, 329345. The event will include many valuable resources for Veterans. For more information, please call 321-254-3410.
- U.S. Marine Corps 243rd Birthday on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at 12 p.m. by the Veterans Canteen at the Orlando VA Medical Center, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, Florida 32827. Please join us in honoring and celebrating all U.S. Marine Corps with cake and fun. *Note: U.S. Marine Corps Birthday is Nov. 10 but celebrating a day early due to the weekend.
This year's celebration of Veterans and Military Families Month caps an unprecedented period of improvement for VA, as the department has made groundbreaking progress over the last two years in the areas of accountability, transparency and efficiency across the department while enjoying an important series of legislative successes.
"At VA, Veterans and their families are at the center of everything we do. Veterans and Military Families Month is an opportunity for us to honor the service of these patriots while educating communities about VA benefits and services and our commitment to customer service improvement," VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said.
"Every day the Orlando VA Medical Center honors America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being," said Orlando VA Medical Center Director Timothy W. Liezert. "During National Veterans and Military Families Month, I hope Veterans, their families and the public will join us at one of the events we are hosting to thank those who served."
