Welcome
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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.
In Memory Of
Roger A. Howard
Our own Glenlakes resident and WW2 veteran Roger A. Howard, passed away May 16, 2023. GLVFA and the GL community is saddened by our loss of Roger, he will be forever remembered. Our condolences go out to his wife Beverly and son Don family.
GLVFA recently held a birthday celebration for Roger at our April 2023 meeting. To learn more about Roger, please visit our past events page here.
GLVFA recently held a birthday celebration for Roger at our April 2023 meeting. To learn more about Roger, please visit our past events page here.
Florida State Veterans Cemetery
Roger A. Howard Memorial Service
May 31, 2023 Service
Roger A. Howard Memorial Service
May 31, 2023 Service
Memorial Day 2023
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
Remember the Fallen
This Memorial Day, we all should take a moment of silence for those brave service members we have lost during both peacetime and war — as they have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country.
Memorial Day: Did You Know?
The first Memorial Day was a funeral held by freed slaves for Union soldiers who liberated them after the American Civil War in 1865.
There is an American military cemetery Margraten, Netherlands. On Memorial Day each year, every last grave is “adopted” by a Dutch family that lays flowers over the site.
Memorial Day honors those in the military who’ve died while serving the country while Veterans Day honors all U.S. military veterans
Wearing red poppies, a popular Memorial Day tradition, originated from a poem called “In Flanders Field” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915.
The first Memorial Day was a funeral held by freed slaves for Union soldiers who liberated them after the American Civil War in 1865.
There is an American military cemetery Margraten, Netherlands. On Memorial Day each year, every last grave is “adopted” by a Dutch family that lays flowers over the site.
Memorial Day honors those in the military who’ve died while serving the country while Veterans Day honors all U.S. military veterans
Wearing red poppies, a popular Memorial Day tradition, originated from a poem called “In Flanders Field” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915.
GLVFA Memorial Day
Half-Staff Ceremony
In honor of Memorial Day 2023, a small contingent of GLVFA members lowered the U.S. flag at the memorial to half at the break of dawn today. May 31st. Additionally, a remembrance wreath in patriotic floral colors was placed on display at the foot of the American flag for all of Glenlakes residents to see. The wreath serves as a reminder of today's significance, to remember those veterans that have fallen in service to their country as well as a salute to all veterans and their families who live here in the Glenlakes community who have honorably served our great nation.
Wreath was created by the "Flower House", Spring Hill.
Flag Raising at Noontime
Glory Days Cooler Raffle Winner!
May 28, 2023
The annual cooler raffle was conducted on May 28th at 4pm. A nice entourage of nearly 20 GLVFA members attended lunch from 2-4p at Glory Days, with a special table reserved just for the group. A nice time was had by all attendees and the drawing was held at 4pm.
The lucky winner was Joe Vandergrift, a radiology technician from Oak Hill Hospital. Joe won a nice custom Yeti cooler which was a stock full of prizes including gift certificates, rounds of golf, many bottles of fine spirits, Historic Sports Art's professional sports art, and more. The proceeds from the raffle directly supports GLVFA efforts to raise funds to support worthy veteran causes each year!
The lucky winner was Joe Vandergrift, a radiology technician from Oak Hill Hospital. Joe won a nice custom Yeti cooler which was a stock full of prizes including gift certificates, rounds of golf, many bottles of fine spirits, Historic Sports Art's professional sports art, and more. The proceeds from the raffle directly supports GLVFA efforts to raise funds to support worthy veteran causes each year!
People Helping People
Local Initiative: People Helping People's mission is to end hunger in Hernando County by breaking the cycle of poverty among the people served. Besides providing food, PHP will link people to benefits, education, training and resources empowering them to help themselves to become productive members of Hernando County. How can you help?
MOVE! is a weight management health promotion program designed to improve the lives of Veterans.
Fact: In 2018 more than three quarters of Veterans receiving care in VA facilities were considered to be overweight or obese.
If any of our members would like to participate in the VA Move program, they can -- whether they are under the VA health care system or using their own healthcare (such as Medicare, for example).
To learn more about the VA weight loss program, there are two pathways:
1. Enrolled VA Healthcare Veteran: Get Started - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
2. Veteran not enrolled in VA Healthcare: Veteran Materials - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
Videos on behavior, Nutrition, Physical Activity
MOVE! Videos worth checking out: Video Gallery - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
MOVE! Coach
This is a smart phone app that easily helps you set, track, and achieve your healthy eating, physical activity, and weight goals. The app walks you through a series of self-management guides.
Download the app here: MOVE! Coach - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
Fact: In 2018 more than three quarters of Veterans receiving care in VA facilities were considered to be overweight or obese.
If any of our members would like to participate in the VA Move program, they can -- whether they are under the VA health care system or using their own healthcare (such as Medicare, for example).
To learn more about the VA weight loss program, there are two pathways:
1. Enrolled VA Healthcare Veteran: Get Started - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
2. Veteran not enrolled in VA Healthcare: Veteran Materials - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
Videos on behavior, Nutrition, Physical Activity
MOVE! Videos worth checking out: Video Gallery - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
MOVE! Coach
This is a smart phone app that easily helps you set, track, and achieve your healthy eating, physical activity, and weight goals. The app walks you through a series of self-management guides.
Download the app here: MOVE! Coach - MOVE! Weight Management Program (va.gov)
GL Veterans Memorial
U.S. Flagpole Granite Marker Placed
Update! On May 11th, the first granite marker was laid by Chrisian Lugo of Lugo'sNatural Stoneworks. The marker is placed in front of the U.S. flagpole and denotes our organization name, our motto and founding year.
Please note that the marker has an "Easter Egg"! I will mention what the Easter Egg (hidden feature) is at the June 2023 meeting, in the meantime, can any of our members figure it out? Go visit the memorial and see if you can figure out the hidden egg (it has something to do specifically with the flagpole granite marker itself). Previous to installing the first marker, the memorial benches were installed on Mar 14th and overhead lighting installed on Apr 6th. There are a number of pictures taken of all the project's ongoing efforts, please click on the button below to see the installation activity.
Please note that the marker has an "Easter Egg"! I will mention what the Easter Egg (hidden feature) is at the June 2023 meeting, in the meantime, can any of our members figure it out? Go visit the memorial and see if you can figure out the hidden egg (it has something to do specifically with the flagpole granite marker itself). Previous to installing the first marker, the memorial benches were installed on Mar 14th and overhead lighting installed on Apr 6th. There are a number of pictures taken of all the project's ongoing efforts, please click on the button below to see the installation activity.
Memorial Project Timeline
Click on picture to display a larger view of the timeline
Veteran Friendly Businesses
Discount Program
As discussed at our monthly meeting, GLVFA is starting a program where local businesses who support veterans with a discount on their goods and services will have their business promoted in a discount section of our website. This program is just getting off the ground with a few such businesses, but more will be coming soon. Check out the discount page when you have a moment.
GLVFA needs your support! In order to secure more local businesses that will offer veteran discounts, we need all members to get involved by asking their local vendors who come to their homes to perform services, or local small businesses such as restaurants, auto shops, salons, etc. to sign up for our new discount program. Please print out the GLVFA Business Discount form using the button below and ask your favorite vendors and businesses to consider filling out the form, with discount they can offer veterans, then return the completed form at a monthly meeting or give to a GLVFA leader.
If any member signs up 3 businesses/vendors for a veteran discount, they will earn a shiny new GLVFA challenge coin! The GLVFA website home page (at the top of this page) shows both sides of the coin.
If any member signs up 3 businesses/vendors for a veteran discount, they will earn a shiny new GLVFA challenge coin! The GLVFA website home page (at the top of this page) shows both sides of the coin.
Florida State Cemetery
Bushnell, FL
Eligibility
If any of our members are thinking about being interned at a state 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 (click on button below to learn more about eligibility).
Availability / Pre-Need
But availability could be an issue for the future, especially in more populated states like Florida where many qualified veterans and spouses live. Aside from space availability, 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 state 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 (click on button below to learn more about eligibility).
Availability / Pre-Need
But availability could be an issue for the future, especially in more populated states like Florida where many qualified veterans and spouses live. Aside from space availability, 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.
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.
GLVFA Charities
(L-R) George Friel, Dicky Keane, Mr. "G" (club manager), Mike Cummings, Cori and Randy Lombardo and Denny Blum
Partner With Us
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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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Review GLVFA!
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.
GlenLakes Supports GLVFA
