Welcome
Established in 2016, we have a patriotic mission to support our veteran members as well as local veteran organizations
Lugo's Natural Stone Work
Christian and Tabitha Lugo
Honored
Christian and Tabitha Lugo, the owners of Lugo’s Natural Stone Work of Springhill, FL. They were recently honored by GLVFA leadership. They received a plaque recognizing their generous donation of granite benches, flower planters, and the labor to install these beautiful adornments that now grace our beautiful memorial! Lugo Natural Stone Work is a full-service granite and quartz fabricator as well as offers custom cabinet installations. As a staunch supporter of GLVFA's memorial, we hope that our membership can help support the Lugo's whenever their home needs require granite or quartz work in addition to cabinet refreshing or replacements.
L to R: Curt Reilly, Tabitha and Christian Lugo, son Roberto (background) and George Friel.
Happy Independence Day 2024
Visit our dedicated July 4th Celebration page!
July 4th Flag Placement Duty
Veteran Memorial
July 4th @ 7am
Veteran Memorial
July 4th @ 7am
|
|
Memorial Maintenance Fund
We have added a new website option that will enable our GLVFA members and friends alike to help maintain our beautiful memorial. Regular maintenance is needed! Many of our members and friends may not be aware of our memorial needs such as flag replacements (needed every 6 months, depending on the severity of the weather), paver platform maintenance, granite bench and flower containers cleaning and sealing, flower fertilizing and replacements (as needed), special event needs such as for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, and much more.
For your convenience, there is a menu item called "memorial maintenance" directly placed under the "memorial" menu on the home page (here) which will bring you to a dedicated page to enable you to make an online donation using your credit card. The donation amounts asked for are minimal - $25, $50 and $100 (your choice). GLVFA members are asked to consider a small yearly donation to help our organization with the expenses incurred in keeping our memorial looking beautiful for all to behold each and every day!
For your convenience, there is a menu item called "memorial maintenance" directly placed under the "memorial" menu on the home page (here) which will bring you to a dedicated page to enable you to make an online donation using your credit card. The donation amounts asked for are minimal - $25, $50 and $100 (your choice). GLVFA members are asked to consider a small yearly donation to help our organization with the expenses incurred in keeping our memorial looking beautiful for all to behold each and every day!
U.S. Constitution
Ratified June 21, 1787
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification, however, was a long and arduous process.
Veterans H.E.A.T Factory
About the H.E.A.T Factory
The Veterans’ HEAT Factory (VHF) has been around since 2017. Gus Guadagnino, a local businessman, founded it with the intention of assisting first responders and veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as well as their families. It is a 100 percent volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, funded by private and corporate donations, a few grants, and various fundraisers. Their services are free to those individuals who need them. However, the most important part of their success has been the volunteers, who have given hundreds of hours to this cause.
U.S. Army 249th Birthday
June 14th
On 14 June 1775, Congress "Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia… [and] as soon as completed, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army."
The delegates then prescribed an oath of enlistment that required the soldiers to swear:
“I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said. Army.”
The next day Congress voted to appoint George Washington “to command all the Continental forces” and began laying the foundation for "the American army."
The delegates then prescribed an oath of enlistment that required the soldiers to swear:
“I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said. Army.”
The next day Congress voted to appoint George Washington “to command all the Continental forces” and began laying the foundation for "the American army."
D-Day: 80th Anniversary
June 6, 1944 - 2024
"The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in Western Europe, the blow will be struck by the combined sea, land, and air forces of the Allies."
- The invasion of Normandy, France, on D-Day was a massive and complex military operation involving hundreds of thousands of military personnel.
- Allied war planners spent months preparing for the assault, drafting up numerous plans for the spearhead into German-occupied northwestern Europe.
- One commanding general, Britain's Gen. Bernard Montgomery, kept it simple, scribbling out his plans for the largest land, air, and sea operation in military history on a single sheet of paper.
D-Day: The Unheard Tapes
History Channel
June 6 2024
D-DAY: THE UNHEARD TAPES relives the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Normandy through the voices and words of those who fought in it, from all sides.
Featuring extraordinary historical recordings with those who experienced it first-hand, this two-part series draws on a treasure trove of rare and previously unheard tapes discovered in archives around the world to tell an immersive and powerful story of the largest seaborne invasion in history and the bloody battle that followed, in which over 100,000 people lost their lives.
History Channel: Two-Part Documentary Premieres Thurs. June 6 at 8/7c; Stream Next Day. The invasion of Normandy through the voices and words of those who fought in it.
Featuring extraordinary historical recordings with those who experienced it first-hand, this two-part series draws on a treasure trove of rare and previously unheard tapes discovered in archives around the world to tell an immersive and powerful story of the largest seaborne invasion in history and the bloody battle that followed, in which over 100,000 people lost their lives.
History Channel: Two-Part Documentary Premieres Thurs. June 6 at 8/7c; Stream Next Day. The invasion of Normandy through the voices and words of those who fought in it.
Glory Days Raffle Event
On May 31st, GLVFA members met at Glory Days to enjoy a lunch gathering as well as to draw the lucky winner of the cooler full of prizes. The drawing was conducted by Dicky Keane and witnessed by GLVFA members President Curt Reilly. And the lucky winner is .... Lou Weber! Lou is a resident of GlenLakes and a GLVFA member.
Congratulations to Lou!
Congratulations to Lou!
Baldomero Lopez
State Veterans Home
BBQ Lunch
![Picture](/uploads/6/7/7/2/677207/lopez-vets-bbq-177_orig.jpg)
GLVFA hosted a bbq lunch for the veterans and staff members of the Baldomero Lopez Florida State Veterans Home on May 25th, 2024. We have a dedicated page which you can review the events of this heartfelt and joyous day.
Memorial Flower Containers Installed May 20th 2024
We are fortunate to have Lugo'sNatural Stone Works (Springhill, 352-999-0198) design, build and install two beautiful granite flower contained to hold our patriotic flowers lining the walkway leading up onto the memorial paver deck area. This was a great effort by all who attended to help out (our GLVFA can be seen in the pictures). Mary Ann, our GL landscaping and plant specialist, came and helped us get the dirt/stones filled into the granite containers and we used temporary flower pots until our new flowers are put in (before the memorial day celebration we will do on May 27th.
Please check out the pictures by clicking on the button below:
Please check out the pictures by clicking on the button below:
VA Crisis Line
Expanded PACT ACT
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.
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.
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
![Picture](/uploads/6/7/7/2/677207/published/honor-coin-front.png?1714613040)
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.