Welcome
The GlenLakes Veterans and Friends Association was established in 2016 with a mission to support our veteran members as well as local veteran organizations and the veterans they support.
Jan 21 2023 R&R Event
The annual winter R&R event was a great event enjoyed by all. Lots of good comradery, food, and most importantly, the organization presented grants to a number of veteran organizations. Additionally, this year, an award was granted to a local JR ROTC high school unit to aid in supporting their military education and uniforms.
Annual R&R Guest Presenter Major General (ret) James A. Hartsell
James "Hammer" Hartsell, retired Major General from the USMC, honored the GLVFA annual R&R as a guest award presenter and speaker. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
Operation Desert Storm

Began January 17, 1991
Nowadays when people think of Iraq, they think of the war that began in 2003, ISIS and the long fight against terrorism. But the U.S. military's first major conflict with the country came more than a decade before that -- more than 25 years ago, in fact.
Operation Desert Storm began Jan. 17, 1991, after Iraqi forces who had invaded neighboring Kuwait refused to withdraw. The conflict is now commonly known as the Gulf War.
Operation Desert Storm began Jan. 17, 1991, after Iraqi forces who had invaded neighboring Kuwait refused to withdraw. The conflict is now commonly known as the Gulf War.
Free Balance Class(s) Opportunity
Laura Gamba, an instructor on many aspects of balance and well-being, guest presenter at the GLVFA Jan 2023 monthly meeting, has offered to conduct free classes to our membership. Please consult the Jan 2023 meeting link (at the top of this page) to review a sampling of what Laura offers (watch the videos!).
Those that are interested, please click on the button below to review the class schedule Laura put together and follow the instructions given in order to "sign up" for one or more of the classes she is offering to our members.
Those that are interested, please click on the button below to review the class schedule Laura put together and follow the instructions given in order to "sign up" for one or more of the classes she is offering to our members.
Military History - January

Valley Forge - January 1777
What is generally meant by “Valley Forge,” of course, is not the place so much as a moment, in the winter of 1777, when, at the least propitious moment in the revolutionary cause, General George Washington and his weary and demoralized army retreated to quarters there. It is the prime tale of American hibernation: the army went in dazed and beaten and, amazingly, came out, late the next spring, more or less intact and in superior fighting trim.
With much of the modern-day attention focused on major military-oriented events such as Pearl Harbor, D-day, Tet Offensive, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, it is easy to think that not much has happened militarily in the month of January in U.S. history. Interestingly, there are other significant (and lesser so) events throughout the month. Events such as Crazy Horse and the battle of Wolf Mountain? Or The Star of the West battle, Civil War era? Treaty of Paris?
Click on the hot button below to bring up an interesting listing, in day order (1-31) that lists out many military events. The list is lengthy but interesting for those history buffs within our membership!
Click on the hot button below to bring up an interesting listing, in day order (1-31) that lists out many military events. The list is lengthy but interesting for those history buffs within our membership!
Jan 2023 Meeting
Jan 5, 2023, we had our first monthly meeting of the New Year! The guest speaker was really awesome and engaging. The details of the meeting are now located in the "events", "past events" section of the website. This event was recorded (video).
GLVFA Charitable Missions
Veteran Directed Care
Chances are, many of our members probably have not heard of veteran directed care. That said, here is a quick summary of what it is.
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) gives Veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive the Home and Community Services they need in a consumer-directed way. Veterans do NOT need to have a service-connected disability to qualify for services.
Click on the button below to learn more about what Veteran Directed Care services are all about. The button will link to this site's Veteran News section.
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) gives Veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive the Home and Community Services they need in a consumer-directed way. Veterans do NOT need to have a service-connected disability to qualify for services.
Click on the button below to learn more about what Veteran Directed Care services are all about. The button will link to this site's Veteran News section.
Wreaths Across America
A number of GLVFA members participated today, Dec 17th, 2022 in the Wreathes Across America program at the Florida National Cemetary for veterans in Bushnell, FL.
Why do we participate? We believe our fellow veterans, whose names at Bushnell are unknown to us, have made sacrifices in service to our country since its birth in order to preserve our freedoms and way of life we all enjoy.
In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Thus, GLVFA contributed to the Wreaths over America program through purchase of wreaths which we then laid at the foot of veteran's tombstone markers to show our respect to all veterans and their families that we will not forget. We will never forget.
Why do we participate? We believe our fellow veterans, whose names at Bushnell are unknown to us, have made sacrifices in service to our country since its birth in order to preserve our freedoms and way of life we all enjoy.
In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Thus, GLVFA contributed to the Wreaths over America program through purchase of wreaths which we then laid at the foot of veteran's tombstone markers to show our respect to all veterans and their families that we will not forget. We will never forget.
Honor Flight Network
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with a mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. While originally focused on honoring our nation’s World War II veterans, the Honor Flight Network now also honors those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent service eras.
Several members of GLVFA have participated as attendees of an honor flight. If any GLVFA member desires to learn more about how to qualify for a flight, visit the official Honor Flight West Central Florida (Tampa-St Petersburg areas) website for further information.
Several members of GLVFA have participated as attendees of an honor flight. If any GLVFA member desires to learn more about how to qualify for a flight, visit the official Honor Flight West Central Florida (Tampa-St Petersburg areas) website for further information.
Acts of Valor
Annual Emmy-winning program shares the stories of America’s greatest heroes from World War II to the present day.
NFL Salute To Service
National Football League's commitment to Honor, Empower, and Connect with our Military Community. Many of you who are football fanatics might have seen players and coaches wearing military-oriented clothing during games aired on television. That is not just in support of veteran day, it is actually in support of a year-long program initiated by the NFL commissioner.
New VA Life Insurance Program
Effective Jan 1, 2023, a new VA whole life (not term life) insurance program is being offered.
What is Happening to S-DVI? The Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program will be closed to new enrollment after December 31, 2022. If you have S-DVI currently, please click on the hot button below to read more about what is happening to your S-DVI if you are already insured through that program.
What is Happening to S-DVI? The Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program will be closed to new enrollment after December 31, 2022. If you have S-DVI currently, please click on the hot button below to read more about what is happening to your S-DVI if you are already insured through that program.
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PACT ACT
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefits expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
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, the new Memorial Wall, and several sponsorship levels of our Veterans Day Golf Scramble.
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