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.
Pearl Harbor Attacked
Dec 7, 1941
" a day that will live in infamy"
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States against the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, just before 8:00 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, December 7, 1941. The United States was a neutral country at the time; the attack led the U.S. to formally enter World War II on the side of the Allies the following day. The Japanese military leadership referred to the attack as the Hawaii Operation and Operation AI,[ and as Operation Z during its planning
Happy Holidays 2023
On Christmas Day every year, many Americans relax and enjoy time with their families. For many of our troops, though, it can be a day of sacrifice and hardship.
Over the history of the U.S., several big military actions have taken place on Dec. 25. Click button below to learn more about four noteworthy ones.
Over the history of the U.S., several big military actions have taken place on Dec. 25. Click button below to learn more about four noteworthy ones.
GLVFA Holidays Page 2023
GLVFA Member Honored
Tampa Bay Lightening 11/20/23
Richard "Dicky" Keane, memorial project manager and member of the GLVFA family, was featured at the Tampa Bay Lightning game last night. Be sure to congratulate Dicky at our next membership meeting on Dec 7th!
In Memory
Special Friend of GLVFA
It is with a heavy heart to share the sad news of the passing of our dear friend, Sandy Klontz-Millington. She and her husband Wayne have been huge long-time supporters of GLVFA, she always lit up the room with her infectious smile at our events. She has been a long-time resident of GlenLakes, and always involved in many of our activities. Let us keep Sandy's spirit alive in our hearts and cherish a very special person and friend. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. We wish the Klontz and Millington families, and especially our friend Wayne Millington, our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
GLVFA Nature Coast Golf Scramble
Nov 11, 2023
Our 8th annual Veterans Day Nature Coast Golf Scramble is the organizations' key event of the year, and its purpose is to honor our veterans here in the local area and to raise funds that will be used to help veterans through grants to other veteran organizations that need assistance to aid veterans in the tri-county area, in addition to supporting our own needs such as maintenance of the GlenLakes Veterans Memorial.
GlenLakes Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony
November 12th @ 2pm
Mark your calendars for Nov 12th at 2pm, to attend the GlenLakes Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony. After a long year of building, the time has come to honor our beautiful memorial with an appropriate dedication.
Mr. David VanMeter
Deputy Director of James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics

On. Nov 2nd, 2023, we had the honor and privilege of having Mr. David VanMeter speak to our membership on a number of VA medical center initiatives, past, present and future (including clinics most used by our membership, such as the Brooksville and New Port Ritchy clinics). Many of our members were able to ask Mr. VanMeter questions pertinent to many of the members such as existing care needs, access and availability, community care, and much more. The members and Mr. VanMeter were fully engaged in conversation, and information offered to the membership was honest, factual, and engaging. Further, Mr. VanMeter provided an opportunity for members to speak with him one-on-one to their specific concerns and needs. He was pleased to assist such members with obtaining their personal information so that he could provide them a follow up as needed. Overall, this month's presentation was a great experience, and we hope Mr. VanMeter will come back to visit with us in the near future. All of us offered him a sincere applause and thank you for his visit!
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.
Elder Financial Exploitation
Elder financial exploitation and abuse are when someone misuses or takes a vulnerable adult's assets for their own benefit. It's often done without the vulnerable adult knowing or consenting and can leave them without needed financial resources. It can happen at home, in a skilled care facility or at a nursing home.
To aid in your understanding of financial exploitation, Bank of America has put together a very informative pamphlet titled:
"Senior financial exploitation: Addressing a hidden threat".
To aid in your understanding of financial exploitation, Bank of America has put together a very informative pamphlet titled:
"Senior financial exploitation: Addressing a hidden threat".
Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning involves discussing and preparing for future decisions about your medical care if you become seriously ill or unable to communicate your wishes. Having meaningful conversations with your loved ones is the most important part of advance care planning.
The VA has an informative webpage that details advanced planning issues that our members may find useful to read more aout. To access the VA website, click on this website link:
About Advance Care Planning | Veterans Affairs
The VA has an informative webpage that details advanced planning issues that our members may find useful to read more aout. To access the VA website, click on this website link:
About Advance Care Planning | Veterans Affairs
Many people also choose to put their preferences in writing by completing legal documents called advance directives. National Institute on Aging explains more about advanced planning and directives, worth your time and review to best understand you or your loved one's options.
Memorial Brick Program
"Garden of Honor"
GLVFA Memorial Team has begun the next phase of the memorial project by adding in a new area designated to hold memorial bricks. This area will hold 450 bricks when fully completed. There have already been some pre-orders from last year. If members desire to purchase a brick for their loved veteran, please go to the brick program page by using the button below, download the brick purchase form, and submit your completed form.
VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN8) Quarterly Newsletters
The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) is the nation's largest system of hospitals and clinics serving a population of more than 1.5 million Veterans in a vast 64,153 square mile area spread across 79 counties in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Whether you are actively involved with VA healthcare or receive your healthcare from non-VA providers, VISN 8 publishes a number of useful healthcare-related newsletters and podcasts that could be of interest to our GLVFA members. It is worthwhile to review 2023 Q1 and Q2 newsletters, there could be useful information for you.
Whether you are actively involved with VA healthcare or receive your healthcare from non-VA providers, VISN 8 publishes a number of useful healthcare-related newsletters and podcasts that could be of interest to our GLVFA members. It is worthwhile to review 2023 Q1 and Q2 newsletters, there could be useful information for you.
GLVFA In The News Again!
Hernando Sun
Sep 11, 2023 Issue
Services History
Florida National Cemetery
Eligibility
If any of our members are thinking about being interned at a national cemetery, such as the national cemetery in Bushnell, FL, it is a great option. The national cemeteries are managed by the National Cemetery Administration, a component of the VA.. All national cemeteries are beautiful, have continuous perpetual care, and are offered free of cost for qualified veterans and their spouses and adult dependent children (click on button below to learn more about eligibility).
Pre-Need
The qualification and approval process could take 3-4 weeks, if not longer. Therefore, it is advisable to plan early and pre-qualify -- the VA call this "pre-need" -- even if it will be years before the need arises. (click on the button below to learn about how to apply early with the state cemetery of your choice). Don't wait, start the planning process as soon as possible. In doing so, the burden of your loved ones will be significantly lessened.
If any of our members are thinking about being interned at a national cemetery, such as the national cemetery in Bushnell, FL, it is a great option. The national cemeteries are managed by the National Cemetery Administration, a component of the VA.. All national cemeteries are beautiful, have continuous perpetual care, and are offered free of cost for qualified veterans and their spouses and adult dependent children (click on button below to learn more about eligibility).
Pre-Need
The qualification and approval process could take 3-4 weeks, if not longer. Therefore, it is advisable to plan early and pre-qualify -- the VA call this "pre-need" -- even if it will be years before the need arises. (click on the button below to learn about how to apply early with the state cemetery of your choice). Don't wait, start the planning process as soon as possible. In doing so, the burden of your loved ones will be significantly lessened.
GLVFA Charities
GLVFA Operations Agreement - 2024
The annual GLVFA Operations Agreement is now available for general membership review. This document contains specifics of how GLVFA will operate in 2024 (mission statement, purpose of agreement, proposed officers, etc.).
Click on PDF Logo below to view the document

glvfa_2024_operating_agreement.pdf |
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 Veterans Memorial, and several sponsorship levels of our Veterans Day Nature Coast Golf Scramble.
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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.