Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 27, 2027, for Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food trucks and aircraft displays will be on site. Activities will center around the Airport’s Administration Building at 301 Dyer Blvd. More info to come as the day approaches.
Orlando Area VA Creativity Programs
The program cycle restarts every year and includes Drum Circle, Improv Theater, Choir, and Spoken Word. Some programs are at the Orlando VA Lake Nona location, and some at the Dr. Philipps Center. Programs start on Sept. 7. For more information and to sign up, see https://bit.ly/4w1ncAN.
SafeGuard Veterans
Learn how you can help prevent veteran suicide by participating in online training available through December 2026. The program is part of a one-year research pilot program funded by the VA Office of Suicide Prevention. Training is broken into short segments totaling between one and two hours, and a certificate is awarded upon completion. There are separate tracks for veterans, medical professionals, and counselors. For more information, see https://bit.ly/4f4XRju.
A National Resources Directory for Veterans
The National Resource Directory connects service members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. It provides access to a wealth of services and resources at the national, state, and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. See the Directory at https://bit.ly/4ypSG5d.
Veterans Treatment Courts
Veterans courts are designed to assist justice-involved defendants with complex treatment needs associated with substance abuse, mental health, and other issues unique to the traumatic experience of war. Effective July 1 of this year, new legislation was signed into law that strengthens Florida’s already robust network of Veterans Treatment Courts. The law gives judges greater authority to place eligible Veterans and servicemembers into treatment-focused court programs rather than incarceration. For more information on Veterans Courts, see https://bit.ly/4pryhbV.
Attention Cancer Survivors
The Orlando VA Healthcare System recently launched a Cancer Survivorship Program to provide support, community, and resources long after treatment ends. The program has already served more than 50 Veterans and continues to grow. Survivors interested in the program can contact Brittany Hahn, Supervisory Social Worker for Oncology, at 407-750-1904 or through their VA healthcare team, or ask their provider for a referral.
As always, we are looking for information and feedback from the Osceola veteran community. Please send along your veteran-related information, events, and questions to osceolavets@gmail.com.
