By Michelle Colesanti
Second Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration
On Veterans Day the Fishhawk Riverview Rotary Club will host its Second Annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon Celebration on Wednesday, November 11 from 12 Noon-2 p.m. at Camp Rotary Florida, located at 1915 Camp Florida Rd. in Brandon.
All veterans, both active duty and retired, will dine free of charge. For all other guests, the cost will be $25. The guest speaker will be Michael Dozier MSgt (E-7), USAF Retired. Musicians will be Sonya Bryson TSgt (E-6) USAF Retired,Sandra Cruz and Krystalana Cruz.
The Riverview High School JROTC Navy Color Guard will also be in attendance. There will be additional activities celebrating those who have served or are now serving in the military services. For more information on the luncheon, contact the Club’s Projects Chair, Deborah L. Williams, LTC, U. S. Army (Ret.) at 541-6201 or email at dwdelta71@aol.com.
For more information on the Fishhawk-Riverview Rotary, visit www.fishhawkriverviewrotary.org.
Homeless Veterans To Benefit From Concert
Homeless veterans will benefit from a patriotic community band concert and gift bazaar hosted by First Presbyterian Church in Brandon, Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to Liberty Manor for Veterans, a Tampa-based non-profit organization that provides transitional housing to homeless veterans. The church is suggesting a $10 donation at the door for the concert, but any donation, no matter how small or large, will be accepted.
The concert, Salute!, will be presented by the Eastern Hillsborough Community Band, and it will perform patriotic music in honor of all veterans.
Light refreshments will be served after the concert along with an auction and jewelry/gift bazaar to raise additional money for Liberty Manor. Guests will also have the opportunity to mingle with representatives from Liberty Manor and the band.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for anyone who would like to preview the auction items or purchase any of the items for sale.
“Many of our veterans served our country honorably, but for a variety of reasons, find they are homeless after being discharged,” said Terrie Morrison, event organizer for First Presbyterian Church.
Four Liberty Manor homes in the Tampa area provide safe housing for veterans while they search for employment and receive counseling and support as they transition to a state of self-sufficient independence.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 121 Carver Ave. in Brandon. For information about the event, email terriemorrison@verizon.net or call 655-0990.
For more information about Liberty Manor, visit www.libertymanor.org.
For more information about the band, call 569-1771, email info@ehcb.org or visit www.ehcb.org.
Bay Pines VA Hosted Veteran’s Day Ceremony
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Will Host Annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place in the courtyard located buildings 2 and 37 on the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center campus. The event is open to all veterans, their family and friends, and the general public.
Highlights of the ceremony will include guest speakers from VA, MacDill Air Force Base and U.S. Rep. David W. Jolly, 13th Congressional District of Florida. The event will also include musical performances by the Florida Orchestra and the Keswick Christian School Choir; a special parade of colors provided by local Veteran Service Organizations; and traditional military presentations to include the posting and retiring of the U.S. Flag, a firing salute, and a taps performance.
Local evening news anchor Veronica Cintron, Bay News 9, will be the master of ceremonies for the event.
“Our annual ceremony provides an ideal opportunity for the community to join us to honor veterans and active duty service members,” said Suzanne M. Klinker, Director, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.
For driving directions, campus maps and more, please visit www.baypines.va.gov/locations/directions.asp.
