Concerned Veterans for America Florida

05/29/2026

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is today May 25th, It's up to all of us to honor the legacy and memory of our fallen heroes who we memorialize on what makes our nation exceptionally extraordinary, For some of us, every day is Memorial Day as we accept the deaths of those we know who gave their lives for love of country and democracy we so cherish. We look upon them as our own beloved sons and daughters knowing their patriotic sacrifices live on through safeguarding their memories by future generations to come. President Reagan reminded us that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

05/24/2026

Orange County War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony May 25th 8am

PRESENTED BY
The Honorable Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings
and the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council

The Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council will host its annual War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony to honor and remember the servicemembers from Orange County who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Their names are permanently inscribed on the Orange County War Memorial as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice. Complimentary parking will be available beginning at 7 a.m. at the Courthouse Garage, located at 46 E. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801.

📆 May 25 at 8 a.m. 📍Orange County Courthouse, Jury Room 180, 425 N. Orange Avenue
RSVP .

On Monday, May 25, 2026, the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council will host its annual War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony to honor the service members from Orange County who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Their names will be forever inscribed on the Orange County War Memor...

05/23/2026

Stop, and reflect.

If you see a red ribbon this Memorial Day weekend, remember: someone had to tie it. Someone is missing from a family. Someone never came home.

In the traditional Missing Man Table ceremony, the red ribbon tied around a single red rose represents our nation’s enduring promise to never forget or stop accounting for those who are fallen, missing, or held as POW/MIA. But not every ribbon is on a ceremonial table. Some are tied to trees. Some rest on headstones. Some are worn quietly by mothers, fathers, spouses, siblings, and friends carrying grief that never fully fades.

Today, we honor Lance Corporal Mark Boterf, USMC (1992–2014). Mark was only 20 years old when he gave his life in service to this nation at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. A special intelligence system communicator with the 2nd Radio Battalion, he volunteered to stand holiday guard duty so another Marine could go home and get married.

That act alone speaks to the kind of Marine and man he was selfless, dependable, and committed to others before himself.

This Memorial Day, may we never forget that freedom has always come at a cost carried by real people, real families, and real sacrifice.

Honor them. Remember them. Say their names.

You can pay your respects to Lance Corporal Mark Boterf, USMC (1992–2014) at: 1505 Kewannee Trail, Casselberry, FL 32730

05/22/2026

Today is National Maritime Day, observed annually on May 22nd, honors the American maritime industry, particularly the U.S. Merchant Marine, for their contributions to national defense and the economy. The date commemorates the 1819 voyage of the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross an ocean.

05/22/2026

Today is National Poppy Day.

Observed each year on the Friday before Memorial Day, National Poppy Day honors the brave military service members who gave their lives defending our nation while also supporting living veterans.

The red poppy became a lasting symbol of sacrifice following World War I, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lt. Col. John McCrae. Poppies grew across the battle scarred fields of Europe, serving as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and freedom secured by those who served.

Today, we remember the fallen, honor their legacy, and proudly wear the poppy as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance.

05/21/2026

Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 22nd at 10 a.m.
Orlando, Fla. — The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) invites Veterans, families, staff, and the Central Florida community to attend its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Orlando VA Medical Center. RSVP https://bit.ly/42pUOv9 is requested for those planning to attend. Join the Orlando VA Healthcare System as we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day.

The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Outdoor Amphitheater, located at 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827, and will honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation. This year’s keynote speaker will be Rear Admiral (ret) Denise Hinton, a distinguished leader in public health and military service. Rear Admiral Hinton previously served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States from October 2021 to September 2025 and performed the duties of the Surgeon General in 2025. Her career also includes serving as Chief Scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and as a nurse officer in the U.S. Air Force. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, she has received numerous national honors for her contributions to science and public health.

Prior to the ceremony, Veteran Outreach will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue throughout the event. This outreach effort will feature VA programs and Veteran Service Organizations sharing information, resources, and services available to Veterans across Central Florida. Attendees can engage with representatives, receive educational materials, and learn more about the support available to them and their families.

“Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who gave everything in service to our country,” said Timothy Cooke, Director and CEO of the Orlando VA Healthcare System. “At the Orlando VA, we are honored to stand alongside our Veterans and community as we remember the fallen, reflect on their legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to those who have served and continue to serve.”

The Presentation of Colors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 286 from Pine Castle, FL. Additionally, musical performances will be provided by the VFW Post 2093 Central Florida Community Band & Brass Trio, adding a ceremonial tribute to the program.

Parking Information:

Parking is available in both the east and west parking garages, as well as the south parking lot near the emergency department.
Attendees are kindly asked not to park in the Community Living Center or Domiciliary parking areas.
Golf cart shuttles will be provided to assist guests traveling to and from the amphitheater.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be streamed live online: Watch here: https://bit.ly/4tufhtO.

Visit: VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs, to subscribe and receive email updates by clicking here, like us on Facebook at: , follow us on Instagram at: , or on Twitter at: .

The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) invites Veterans, families, staff, and the Central Florida community to attend its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Orlando VA Medical Center.