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Established in 2016, we have a patriotic mission to support our veteran members as well as local veteran organizations
Memorial Day 2026
Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It is also considered to be the unofficial beginning of summer.
Memorial Day is a time for visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the military personnel who died in the line of duty. Volunteers will place American flags on the graves of those military personnel in national cemeteries.[
Memorial Day is a time for visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the military personnel who died in the line of duty. Volunteers will place American flags on the graves of those military personnel in national cemeteries.[
“Not Forgotten” Memorial Day
As in the past, the GlenLakes Veterans and Friends Association will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial located on GlenLakes Blvd near the front entrance of GlenLakes on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11:45 AM when we return the flag to full staff. All GlenLakes Residents are invited to attend.
For the first time, the GLVFA will read the names of Veterans of GlenLakes residents who have passed. The Veteran’s name, service affiliation, and rank, if known, will be read out loud followed by the ring of a new ceremonial bell. The Veteran can be a family member, friend or neighbor.
Reading the names of deceased veterans serves a deeper purpose. It restores an individual’s identity. A name spoken aloud is a life acknowledged. A person dies twice--once when their life ends and again when their name is spoken for the last time. We all have a moral commitment "To remember them". Reading names is a community shared act of gratitude. It slows us down with purpose. It focuses reflection.
GlenLakes Residents are asked to send the GLVFA the name, service affiliation, and rank, if known, of a deceased Veteran which they would like remembered on Memorial Day. A dedicated email address [email protected] has been created to gather these names.
For the first time, the GLVFA will read the names of Veterans of GlenLakes residents who have passed. The Veteran’s name, service affiliation, and rank, if known, will be read out loud followed by the ring of a new ceremonial bell. The Veteran can be a family member, friend or neighbor.
Reading the names of deceased veterans serves a deeper purpose. It restores an individual’s identity. A name spoken aloud is a life acknowledged. A person dies twice--once when their life ends and again when their name is spoken for the last time. We all have a moral commitment "To remember them". Reading names is a community shared act of gratitude. It slows us down with purpose. It focuses reflection.
GlenLakes Residents are asked to send the GLVFA the name, service affiliation, and rank, if known, of a deceased Veteran which they would like remembered on Memorial Day. A dedicated email address [email protected] has been created to gather these names.
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GlenLakes Community
Shred-IT Event
Sponsored by GLVFA
April 10th, 2026
On Friday Apr 10th, 2026, 0900-1200, GLVFA hosted its second 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.
Free BBQ Lunch Provided to Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home
A fully catered luncheon from Mission BBQ was once again provided to all the residents at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes at our association's expense on Thursday, April 9, 2026. It was a joyful day of camaraderie, great food, and time spent with an incredible group of fellow veterans.
Spring "R & R" Event
March 7th, 2026
Over $30,000 in grants was awarded on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to 12 veterans-related groups from the proceeds of the organization’s Veterans Day Golf Scramble last November 10th. We particularly wish to thank our Presenting Sponsor, Golinski Tax Advisors, GlenLakes Country Club, and our many other generous sponsors, volunteers, and golfers.
13Dec2025 Wreaths Across America
In the early hours of December 13, 2025, 23 members of the Glen Lakes Veterans & Friends Association led by a 4-person motorcycle escort from Rolling Thunder, left the clubhouse parking lot headed for Bushnell National Cemetery. Their goal was to honor our American veterans lying in rest, by taking part in an annual wreath laying ceremony known as Wreaths Across America. At exactly the same time, and on the same day in all 50 states, wreaths are being placed on the gravesites of each of our veterans by an army of volunteers. Your Glen Lakes members were there. Why? They believe in the Wreaths Across America mission statement:
Remember the Fallen
Honor Those Who Served
Teach Our Children the Value of Freedom
Remember the Fallen
Honor Those Who Served
Teach Our Children the Value of Freedom
GlenLakes Veterans Memorial Retreat Ceremony
We hope you were able to join us on November 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM for a heartfelt Flag Retreat Ceremony at the GlenLakes Veterans Memorial. This hometown tradition welcomes all residents to gather in honor of our veterans and celebrate the spirit of service and patriotism that unites our community.
We hope you were able to join us on November 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM for a heartfelt Flag Retreat Ceremony at the GlenLakes Veterans Memorial. This hometown tradition welcomes all residents to gather in honor of our veterans and celebrate the spirit of service and patriotism that unites our community.
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11, commemorating the armistice that ended World War I—signed at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. military veterans, both living and deceased. It serves not only as a tribute to their service and sacrifice, but also as a powerful reminder of America’s history and the enduring values shared by democratic societies around the world.
Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all U.S. military veterans, both living and deceased. It serves not only as a tribute to their service and sacrifice, but also as a powerful reminder of America’s history and the enduring values shared by democratic societies around the world.
History of the American Soldier
Veteran Disability Services
Please visit our dedicated veteran's disability and general services webpage. The page has a lot of information for our members and veteran online visitors including information about the PACT ACT, VA Hotline, VSO information for our local area, and much more. If you are a veteran who is in need of assistance with disability claims, wanting to know where local veteran groups are/contact info, or perhaps in need of professional litigation services, the page is for you.
Partner With Us
Be an integral part of these efforts to honor and aid veterans by making a gift on our DONATE page.
Partner With Us
Be an integral part of these efforts to honor and aid veterans by making a gift on our DONATE page.
