Disabled American Veterans J.L. Golightly Chapter 32

10/25/2026

TO ALL INTERESTED ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS:

I received some information from FL DAV Department Commander John Dunn about the Westgate Resorts Military Weekend and Resource Fair, to be held the weekend of December 4th in Kissimmee, Fl. The event invites 1000 veterans and their families (first come/first serve) to stay at their resort for free to participate in the Resource Fair. Good Luck!

REGISTRATION OPENS AT 9:30 a.m., October 28th, 2026 - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Use the following link and register EARLY - Good Luck!

https://www.westgateresorts.com/free-vacations-for-military-families/

Here is more information that I found online about the event:

Westgate Resorts Military Weekend – Resource Fair & Event Details

Westgate Resorts’ Military Weekend is an annual free vacation giveaway for service members, veterans, and Gold Star families, featuring a Military Resource Fair and other family events

Event Overview
Dates: December 4–6, 2026 Westgate Resorts

Location: Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa, Kissimmee, FL (near Orlando)

Eligibility: Active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star families

Registration: First-come, first-served; registration opens October 28, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET

Vacation Includes:
3-day, 2-night complimentary resort stay
Free access to Ship Wreck Island water park
Admission to an outdoor concert and special weekend programming

Military Resource Fair
The Resource Fair is a highlight of the weekend, offering:
Information from military organizations, veterans’ groups, and service providers. Opportunities to connect with resources for military families. Networking and support services

Other activities include:
- Family Field Day with signature games
- Historic Tank Presentation Westgate Resorts
- Red, White & Blue 5K
- Silent Disco
- SeaWorld ticket giveaway (military-only)
- Outdoor concert with Paradigm Party Band
- Food & Beverages
- Complimentary food at Field Day and concert Westgate Resorts.
(Snacks and drinks available for purchase at resort dining)

How to Participate
Register via Westgate’s official Military Weekend page when registration opens - Use this link: https://www.westgateresorts.com/free-vacations-for-military-families/
Bring valid military ID (service member, veteran, or Gold Star family) at check-in
Attend events on-site; many activities are open to all resort guests, but some (like the concert and SeaWorld giveaway) are military-only

Tips
Register early — spots are limited to ~1,000 families
Arrive prepared with ID and any event requirements (e.g., wristbands for concert)
Explore the Resource Fair for valuable connections and support resources
For full details, schedules, and registration when it opens, visit the Westgate Resorts Military Weekend page https://www.westgateresorts.com/free-vacations-for-military-families/ or the Westgate Foundation event site https://www.westgatefoundation.org/

Westgate Foundation proudly invests in the resort communities our team members live and vacation in. At Westgate, our team members and guests are like family!

10/13/2026

The founding of the U.S. Navy dates back to the Revolutionary War when George Washington created the United States' first naval fleet by converting three Massachusetts schooners into warships. The makeshift fleet's purpose was to intercept an unarmed British supply ship. The next day, Washington sent a letter to Congress urging them to establish a naval force. On October 13, the Continental Congress passed a resolution in order to create the Continental Navy. This date now represents the official establishment of the U.S. Navy.

In 1972, then Chief of Naval Operations, Elmo Zumwalt, designated October 13 as the Navy's official birthday, in order "to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service."

Since then, each CNO has encouraged and celebrated the Navy's birthday. We Salute all our Navy Shipmates today - Happy Birthday, Navy!

10/11/2026

Veteran Buddy Check is a reminder not to wait for someone else to reach out first. A fellow Veteran may have missed a meeting, stepped away from Post activities, stopped responding, or simply grown quiet. Take a moment to close the distance.

CONNECT by reaching out.
NOTICE changes in behavior or routine.
ASK how they are really doing, and listen without judgment.
ACT by helping them find support and continuing to check in.

You don’t need a special reason or the perfect words. A sincere call, text, or visit can remind a fellow Veteran that they are remembered, valued, and still connected to a community that cares.

Make the call. Send the message. Don’t wait for them to reach out first.

If a Veteran is in crisis or you are concerned about one - CALL: 988, then press 1; TEXT: 838255; or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Free, confidential support is available 24/7.

10/10/2026

Happy Columbus Day Weekend -

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, was first celebrated in 1792, when New York’s Columbian Order — better known as Tammany Hall — held an event to commemorate the 300th anniversar of the historic landing. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor.

In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage with patriotic festivities, writing, “On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.”

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday, largely as a result of intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal organization.

Recognized and celebrated as a Federal Holiday, DAV Chapter 32 will be closed that day for service work, as well as being closed on Wednesday, October 14th for our regular monthly General Membership Meeting that evening.

Our office will reopen for service work on Friday, October 16th . Please be safe over the holiday weekend if you are travelling or celebrating with family and friends.

09/27/2026

Did you know there are 3 DAV Chapters in Brevard County who are trained and ready to assist you in getting you VA disability benefits from your military service? CH 123 in Merritt Island; CH 109 in Titusville; and of course, our own CH 32 at the Big Orange in Melbourne! What? You've never submitted a claim for your service-connected injury?

I'm reposting this information and giving credit here to the Jr. Vice Commander at CH 109 for this post - I'm not a believer in reinventing the wheel, but this is good info for anyone who has never submitted a claim. Come see us at the Big Orange - Monday, Wednesday or Friday - walk in service between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. - Orange you happy to find this out?

09/26/2026

Chapter Workday today, and thanks to our volunteers who gave up their Saturday pre-game time to help assemble our canopy tent for the first time, give the buildings and The Big Orange a sprucing up, and enjoy some lunch courtesy of Woody's BBQ in Melbourne. Our volunteers L-R: Charles Liverpool, Brian Mitchell, Bobby Sullivan, Stan Kline, Jim Voltaire, Susan Pinnette, Sam Liburdi, Bill Little and Bill Burleigh, with Ed Pettit in back overlooking 👀 (Justin Nelmes is taking photo and Bill Wolfarth missing).

09/25/2026

Happy 106th Birthday to the Disabled American Veterans! Still Veterans Helping Veterans!

09/18/2026

“On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 18, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32 proudly joins our community and the nation in honoring the more than 80,000 American service members who remain unaccounted for.

Beneath the Stars and Stripes — the enduring symbol of the freedom they defended — and alongside the POW/MIA flag, we remember their courage, sacrifice, and service. We stand in solemn support of the families who have endured years, often generations, without knowing the full fate of a loved one.

Our nation has a lasting obligation to pursue the fullest possible accounting for every missing service member and to ensure they are never forgotten. The DAV mission is rooted in service, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to helping veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. As veterans helping veterans, we recognize that America’s promise to those who wore our nation’s uniform does not end when the conflict is over.

On this day, we encourage all citizens to pause, reflect, and proudly display the American flag with the POW/MIA flag. Together, they represent both the liberty for which our service members fought and our nation’s unwavering pledge: You Are Not Forgotten. May they serve as a visible reminder that America remembers, honors, and continues the mission to bring every missing service member home.”

Brian Mitchell, Commander, DAV Chapter 32, USAF (Retired)

09/16/2026

Learn more at dav.org/veteranshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbc...