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Established in 2016, we have a patriotic mission to support our veteran members as well as local veteran organizations
Rolling Thunder Event
Apr 13, 2024
GLVFA had the distinct privilege of participating in a special event, paying tribute to the founder of the renowned “Rolling Thunder” organization, Artie Muller (SGT, U.S. Army) and his wife Elaine.
Shred-IT 2024: Success!
On Friday Apr 5th, 0900-1200, GLVFA hosted its first annual GlenLakes Community Shredding event. GLVFA members volunteered their time and energy to direct traffic, answer questions, accept donations, and most importantly, retrieved boxes (and boxes, and even more boxes....) from residents automobiles and golf carts to hand over to the Shred-IT truck operator to relieve our residents of literally tons of old paper documents.
Click on the hot button below to view all the photos taken of the event!
Click on the hot button below to view all the photos taken of the event!
GLVFA GI Party Day - Coming Soon!
In order to keep our Veterans Memorial looking sharp and "inspection ready", and to foster comradery amongst our members, the organization will soon meet up at the memorial grounds to conduct weed removal, paver stone sand re-filling/finishing, and paver sealing. It is desired that this event will be done in advance of the upcoming Memorial Day flag raising event, which will be announced to the GL community in the May 2024 Eagle. Volunteers will be needed to help as well as volunteers are needed to supply light snacks and refreshments.
The details of this GI Party event will be forthcoming shortly.
The details of this GI Party event will be forthcoming shortly.
The Meaning of "GI"
The origins of this popular nickname are somewhat murky. A popular theory links the term to the early 20th century, when “G.I.” was stamped on military trash cans and buckets. The two-letter abbreviation stood for the material from which these items were made: galvanized iron.
Later, the definition of GI broadened and during World War I it was used to refer to all things Army-related, according to “Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language” by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman. When this happened, GI was reinterpreted as “government issue” or “general issue.”
The prevalence of the term led soldiers in World War II to start referring to themselves as GIs. Some servicemen used it as a sarcastic reference symbolizing their belief that they were just mass-produced products of the government.
During the war, GI Joe also became a term for U.S. soldiers. Cartoonist Dave Breger, who was drafted into the Army in 1941, is credited with coining the name with his comic strip titled “G.I. Joe,” which he published in a weekly military magazine called Yank, beginning in 1942. In 1964, U.S. toy company Hasbro, after taking note of competitor Mattel’s huge success with the Barbie doll (launched in 1959), debuted “G.I. Joe,” a military-themed line of action figures for boys.
Meanwhile, in June 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, which became commonly known as the GI Bill. The famous legislation provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans, including funding for college, home loans and unemployment insurance.
Later, the definition of GI broadened and during World War I it was used to refer to all things Army-related, according to “Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language” by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman. When this happened, GI was reinterpreted as “government issue” or “general issue.”
The prevalence of the term led soldiers in World War II to start referring to themselves as GIs. Some servicemen used it as a sarcastic reference symbolizing their belief that they were just mass-produced products of the government.
During the war, GI Joe also became a term for U.S. soldiers. Cartoonist Dave Breger, who was drafted into the Army in 1941, is credited with coining the name with his comic strip titled “G.I. Joe,” which he published in a weekly military magazine called Yank, beginning in 1942. In 1964, U.S. toy company Hasbro, after taking note of competitor Mattel’s huge success with the Barbie doll (launched in 1959), debuted “G.I. Joe,” a military-themed line of action figures for boys.
Meanwhile, in June 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, which became commonly known as the GI Bill. The famous legislation provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans, including funding for college, home loans and unemployment insurance.
As an ADJECTIVE, GI describes items that
As an ADVERB, GI is meant to refer to a strictly regulated manner
And as a VERB, GI (as in GLVFA GI Party Day!) means to clean thoroughly an entity (such as the "barracks") and to prepare for or a military inspection.
- Are provided by a US military supply department.
- Of/relating to/characteristic of a US military personnel. It also refers to
- Conforms to military customs or regulations.
As an ADVERB, GI is meant to refer to a strictly regulated manner
And as a VERB, GI (as in GLVFA GI Party Day!) means to clean thoroughly an entity (such as the "barracks") and to prepare for or a military inspection.
Military Brats Day
April 30
The phrase “military brat” is one long associated with the family members of those in uniform. It can be used in a derogatory sense, but in recent decades the phrase has been used more to self-identify as being part of a military family.
The connotations of being a military brat include the expectation that military families move often, may have difficulty setting down roots in any one area because of duty requirements, and the potential for extended stays overseas for the same reason. Military brats experience frequent school changes, make friends and acquaintances all over the world, and experience regular major life changes due to the shifting nature of military life.
According to a variety of sources, Military Brats, Inc. founded National Military Brats Day in 2016 and is part of a move to convince lawmakers to make the holiday a federally recognized one.
Origins of "Military Brat"
The origins of the term at least in part due to a British military acronym that stood for “British Regiment Attached Traveler” (BRAT).
This designation was given to families who were approved to accompany the servicemember to an overseas duty location. The story goes that eventually “BRAT” became synonymous with military children.
BRATs as they were known in British military culture were addressed in British Educational Research Journal, but another reference in British pop culture from the 1700s, a play called The Recruiting Officer could also lend a clue. It has lyrics that reference military and/or civilian “brats and wives.”
April is also the month of the Military Child
The connotations of being a military brat include the expectation that military families move often, may have difficulty setting down roots in any one area because of duty requirements, and the potential for extended stays overseas for the same reason. Military brats experience frequent school changes, make friends and acquaintances all over the world, and experience regular major life changes due to the shifting nature of military life.
According to a variety of sources, Military Brats, Inc. founded National Military Brats Day in 2016 and is part of a move to convince lawmakers to make the holiday a federally recognized one.
Origins of "Military Brat"
The origins of the term at least in part due to a British military acronym that stood for “British Regiment Attached Traveler” (BRAT).
This designation was given to families who were approved to accompany the servicemember to an overseas duty location. The story goes that eventually “BRAT” became synonymous with military children.
BRATs as they were known in British military culture were addressed in British Educational Research Journal, but another reference in British pop culture from the 1700s, a play called The Recruiting Officer could also lend a clue. It has lyrics that reference military and/or civilian “brats and wives.”
April is also the month of the Military Child
April is designated as Month of the Military Child – a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children of military members serving at home and overseas. Month of the Military Child is sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy and supported by many other organizations such as the DoDEA.
For all of our GLVFA veterans who had children while serving on active duty, be sure to give your now adult children an extra hug this month for being a military brat!
For all of our GLVFA veterans who had children while serving on active duty, be sure to give your now adult children an extra hug this month for being a military brat!
Easter 2024
If you ever wondered why Easter falls on different dates each year, here is an explanation.
The moon’s phases determine Easter’s date. Western Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the equinox, while Eastern Easter is after Passover.
This year, Easter—a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead—will be held on Sunday, March 31, for Western Christians and on Sunday, May 5, for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Why the dates of Easter change every year—and why they differ so much between Western and Eastern Christianity—is primarily a story about astronomy and, more specifically, the moon’s phases.
Easter Is A Lunar Festival
While some religions use a predominantly lunar calendar, Christianity does not, and yet Easter is a lunar festival, just like Ramadan, Passover, and the Chinese Lunar New Year.
At the core of all of this is the lunar year. While Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the Sun, the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. So, a lunar year is 354.3 days. There’s a 10 or 11-day lag between the two—and that explains why the dates of Easter differ so much from year to year.
And now you know the rest of the story....good day!
The moon’s phases determine Easter’s date. Western Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the equinox, while Eastern Easter is after Passover.
This year, Easter—a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead—will be held on Sunday, March 31, for Western Christians and on Sunday, May 5, for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Why the dates of Easter change every year—and why they differ so much between Western and Eastern Christianity—is primarily a story about astronomy and, more specifically, the moon’s phases.
Easter Is A Lunar Festival
While some religions use a predominantly lunar calendar, Christianity does not, and yet Easter is a lunar festival, just like Ramadan, Passover, and the Chinese Lunar New Year.
At the core of all of this is the lunar year. While Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the Sun, the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. So, a lunar year is 354.3 days. There’s a 10 or 11-day lag between the two—and that explains why the dates of Easter differ so much from year to year.
And now you know the rest of the story....good day!
National Vietnam War
Veterans Day
March 29, 2024
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed every year on March 29 and is a way to thank and honor our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. There are 5 objectives with Vietnam Commemoration and the other four are:
- Highlight the service of our Armed Forces and support organizations during the war
- Pay tribute to wartime contributions at home by American citizens
- Highlight technology, science and medical advances made during the war
- Recognize contributions by our Allies
Vietnam War
Last Troops Depart
Mar 29, 1973
This day in history, March 29, 1973 (51 years ago), the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam as Hanoi freed the remaining American prisoners of war held in North Vietnam, just two months after the Vietnam peace agreement was signed.
In January 1973, representatives of the United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement in Paris, ending the direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The provisions included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam, the withdrawal of U.S. forces, the release of prisoners of war, and the reunification of North and South Vietnam.
On April 30, 1975, the final Americans still in South Vietnam were airlifted out of the country as South Vietnam fell to
communist forces. The Vietnam War cost 58,000 American lives and as many as two million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians were killed.
Interesting, yet sad, fact regarding Vietnam U.S. soldiers KIA:
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam .. 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. 31 sets of brothers are on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. 31 sets of parents lost two of their sons.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam .. 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. 31 sets of brothers are on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. 31 sets of parents lost two of their sons.
Video Detailing Troop Withdrawal from Vietnam
Vietnam Era Timeline
Sep 1, 1950 - Nov 13, 1982
Sep 1, 1950 - Nov 13, 1982
The hot button below will bring you to a full timeline of the American experience regarding Vietnam, starting with Sep 1, 1950 (President Truman sends advisory group to Vietnam) to Nov 13, 1982 (Vietnam Memorial Dedication). Between these two significant dates, there are 32 years' worth of significant events within the timeline that many of our GLVFA veterans who lived within the timeline (or were actively involved in Vietnam) will certainly remember.
Garden of Honor
Virtual Brick Lookup
Now Active
The memorial garden of honor virtual brick lookup feature here on our website is now active. All bricks installed in the garden for round 1 and round 2 brick orders (which have been completed and installed in the garden) as well as the recent round 3 brick order submissions are accounted for in the virtual brick lookup.
Click on the hot button below to proceed to the virtual brick lookup page and select the appropriate group button in which the first letter of your last name (or organization first letter) is shown for the appropriate group.
Click on the hot button below to proceed to the virtual brick lookup page and select the appropriate group button in which the first letter of your last name (or organization first letter) is shown for the appropriate group.
"Lost" WWI Veteran Found For GLVFA Member
Though not technically lost, our fellow member Susan Starrett had long known about her veteran great uncle (her father's uncle) having served, died and being buried somewhere in France during World War I. But given that his passing was in 1918, the 105+ years since then had blurred the knowledge of where he was actually interned and other specifics. Susan had a few mementos including an old, faded 2x3 black and white photo of his gravestone, a bracelet, and a note written by her mother that mentioned "Bony, France", Susan safely kept the few mementos in a small box, which for the most part, was all she knew of her great uncle who had served in World War I, aside from the fact he had died and was buried somewhere in France. No date, no location, just a small, faded picture of a cross-shaped headstone. This is often the case for many of us who have heard of a relative who served in long ago wars.
With a hand-written note on the back of the picture that read "Bony", online research helped to rediscover Susan's great uncle "Harry" and amazingly, more details regarding his date of death, his military rank and unit assignment, specific cemetery in France along with the exact plot location was discovered for her. Captain Harry C. Starrett, who originally entered military service from Brooklyn, New York, is located in Somme American Cemetery, Plot B Row 6 Grave 6, approx. 36 miles northeast of Paris, France. More amazingly, a certificate of honor for his service in France was found via the Somme online site. Below is an image of Captain Harry C. Starrett and his certificate:
With a hand-written note on the back of the picture that read "Bony", online research helped to rediscover Susan's great uncle "Harry" and amazingly, more details regarding his date of death, his military rank and unit assignment, specific cemetery in France along with the exact plot location was discovered for her. Captain Harry C. Starrett, who originally entered military service from Brooklyn, New York, is located in Somme American Cemetery, Plot B Row 6 Grave 6, approx. 36 miles northeast of Paris, France. More amazingly, a certificate of honor for his service in France was found via the Somme online site. Below is an image of Captain Harry C. Starrett and his certificate:
And an even more incredible discovery was the fact that Captain Starrett served, and survived, the hardships of the war in France but succumbed to the Spanish Flu only 2 days after the official end of the war. He was awarded the Victory Medal for his service, as shown here:
Somme American Cemetery and Memorial - France
The World War I Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in France is sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardie countryside. The 14.3-acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of our military dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British armies, or in operations near Cantigny. The headstones, set in regular rows, are separated into four plots by paths that intersect at the flagpole near the top of the slope. The longer axis leads to the chapel at the eastern end of the cemetery.
Below is a You Tube video that highlights Somme American Cemetery where Captain Starrett is resting in peace alongside his fellow "Doughboys" that served in "The Great War" (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918)
Recognition Day / R&R
Mar 2024
Mar 2, 2024: GLVFA held its annual member/sponsor appreciation night at the GlenLakes Country Club Ballroom. Many of our organization sponsors were in attendance alongside numerous members. In addition to having an enjoyable evening of comradeship, food and drink.
Special Guest Speaker
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Special Guest Speaker: The Honorable Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Florida 12th District Representative, honored our organization by attending our Appreciation Day event.
2024 Grants
GLVFA presented grant awards to the following recipients:
Baldomaro Lopez Veterans Nursing Home
DAV Chapter 67
American Legion Post #186
Polish League #196
Marine Corps League
FW Springstead HS JROTC
Veterans Depot
Veterans HEAT Factory
Baldomaro Lopez Veterans Nursing Home
DAV Chapter 67
American Legion Post #186
Polish League #196
Marine Corps League
FW Springstead HS JROTC
Veterans Depot
Veterans HEAT Factory
2024 Member Awards
GLVFA leadership recognized members who have gone "above and beyond" in their efforts to support the organization. The following members were recognized:
Denny Blum
Wayne Millington
Mike Cummings
Dicky Keane
Cori Lombardo
Mike Fulford
GLVFA appreciation plaques were presented to each of these members for their unwavering commitment to the organization and its members.
Denny Blum
Wayne Millington
Mike Cummings
Dicky Keane
Cori Lombardo
Mike Fulford
GLVFA appreciation plaques were presented to each of these members for their unwavering commitment to the organization and its members.
Special Recognition
GLVFA honored Christain and Tabitha Lugo of Lugo's Stone Works (rt 19, Spring Hill, FL) for their fantastic contributions in helping our veteran's memorial become a complete experience! The Lugo's donated the beautiful granite benches seen at the memorial, of which all members of the organization are grateful for. Lugo's are also in the process of creating new granite planters for the memorial which they are also donating.
GLVFA Appreciation Day Photos
VA Healthcare News
Mar 5 2024
The VA announced that all veterans who have served in a combat zone since the Vietnam War, as well as those who participated in training or operations and came into contact with hazardous materials, will be able to enroll in VA healthcare starting March 5. 2024. Veterans are not required to have a service-connected disability or file a compensation claim to be eligible for VA care.
You are encouraged to apply for VA health care starting March 5, 2024, if any of these descriptions are true for you:
For many of out GLVFA members who served in Vietnam or other wars mentioned above, and/or worked around toxins in or outside of war zones, can qualify to enroll for VA Healthcare starting Mar 5th. Even if you are enrolled in Medicare, simultaneously being enrolled in VA Healthcare gives you options such as no co-pay prescriptions, including prescriptions mailed to your home from the VA, free mental health care, VA primary and specialty care in Brooksville, New Port Ritchy, Tampa and other VA healthcare facilities, and much more.
You are encouraged to apply for VA health care starting March 5, 2024, if any of these descriptions are true for you:
- You served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11, or
- You deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, or
- You were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service
For many of out GLVFA members who served in Vietnam or other wars mentioned above, and/or worked around toxins in or outside of war zones, can qualify to enroll for VA Healthcare starting Mar 5th. Even if you are enrolled in Medicare, simultaneously being enrolled in VA Healthcare gives you options such as no co-pay prescriptions, including prescriptions mailed to your home from the VA, free mental health care, VA primary and specialty care in Brooksville, New Port Ritchy, Tampa and other VA healthcare facilities, and much more.
Naval Aviation Museum
Pensacola FL
The National Naval Aviation Museum is the world’s largest Naval Aviation Museum and one of the most-visited museums in the state of Florida! And admission is now free...
The Florida World War II Heritage Trail, a 72-page guidebook, includes color and archival photographs of Florida sites related to World War II, and biographical sketches of many men and women who played a significant role during the war. Produced by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources in association with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs World War II Memorial Project, Florida World War II Heritage Trail features more than 150 Florida World War II-related sites and military assets in 74 Florida cities from Pensacola to Key West.
Pentagon Virtual Tour
Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Department of Defense and the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration created a permanent exhibit on the 3rd Floor, A-Ring, corridors 3-2 in the Pentagon as a way to thank and honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families. This award-winning exhibit tells the story of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War through a timeline of events, artifacts, historic photographs, and video footage.
Enjoy this interactive virtual tour of the Pentagon Vietnam War Exhibit!
Memorial Brick Program
"Garden of Honor"
GLVFA Memorial Team has begun the next phase of the memorial project by adding in a new area of the veteran's memorial designated to hold individual memorial bricks. This area will hold 450 bricks when fully completed. The first round of bricks, as seen in the picture below, have been installed.
The second round of brick orders have been placed and are being produced.
The third round of brick orders are underway. Don't wait, if members desire to purchase a brick for their beloved veteran, please go to the brick program page by using the button below.
Download the brick purchase form and submit your completed form via mail or drop off the form at one of the GLVFA monthly meetings.
The second round of brick orders have been placed and are being produced.
The third round of brick orders are underway. Don't wait, if members desire to purchase a brick for their beloved veteran, please go to the brick program page by using the button below.
Download the brick purchase form and submit your completed form via mail or drop off the form at one of the GLVFA monthly meetings.
Veterans Living Memorial
VLM is an online memorial that honors nearly 10 million Veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries, VA grant-funded cemeteries, DoD-managed cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery); U.S. Park Service National Cemeteries, and thousands of private cemeteries where Veterans have received a VA-provided gravesite marker since 1996.
On Nov 2, 2023, the VA announced that nearly 5 million Veterans and service members have been added to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the nation’s first digital platform dedicated to the memory of Veterans and service members.
With this expansion, nearly 10 million of the nation’s heroes now have individual pages on VLM — allowing family, friends, and others to post tributes, upload images and documents, and commemorate them. More than 72,000 tributes have been posted to Veterans’ profile pages since the site launched in 2019.
The VLM now honors the memory of Veterans interred in VA’s national cemeteries, VA-grant funded cemeteries, 27 Department of Defense-managed cemeteries, two National Park Service national cemeteries, and thousands of private and other non-VA cemeteries.
On Nov 2, 2023, the VA announced that nearly 5 million Veterans and service members have been added to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the nation’s first digital platform dedicated to the memory of Veterans and service members.
With this expansion, nearly 10 million of the nation’s heroes now have individual pages on VLM — allowing family, friends, and others to post tributes, upload images and documents, and commemorate them. More than 72,000 tributes have been posted to Veterans’ profile pages since the site launched in 2019.
The VLM now honors the memory of Veterans interred in VA’s national cemeteries, VA-grant funded cemeteries, 27 Department of Defense-managed cemeteries, two National Park Service national cemeteries, and thousands of private and other non-VA cemeteries.
For information about VA burial benefits, visit one of VA’s National Cemetery Locations in-person, visit online at VA burial benefits and memorial items, or call toll free at 800-827-1000. To plan ahead for you and your family, visit NCA’s pre-need eligibility website.
GLVFA Charities
Partner With Us
Be an integral part of these efforts to honor and aid veterans by making a gift on our DONATE page. Current fund-raising initiatives include GLVFA Veterans SAVES, maintenance for the new Veterans Memorial, and several sponsorship levels of our Veterans Day Nature Coast Golf Scramble.
Please Review GLVFA
on Google!
Do you enjoy GLVFA membership? Do you believe in the great causes of the group and the veterans that are supported by the tremendous efforts of the organization? If so, please take a moment to review the organization on Google! Your review on Google will help us with exposure to those that seek out veteran support groups such as ours. Your positive review is appreciated.