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Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Mainly clear. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.

Monthly Yard Sales at VFW Post 7122 will be open the second Thursday each month from 8 a.m. to noon beginning Oct. 13.

The public is welcome to stop in; the building is next to the VFW, which is 8191 S. Florida Ave. While you are there, ask how you can become a member.

Follow on Facebook @ VFWPost7122 or call 352-637-0100.

Parents bring your children to VFW Post 7122 from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 for the post’s second Trunk or Treat.

Visit the secure parking lot with our veterans and their families for the children to Trick or Treat.

The post is at 8191 S. Florida Ave. in Floral City.

The VFW Post 4252 will be hosting a Military Card Party on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Post, 3190 N. Carl G. Rose Highway, at the helicopter on State Road 200, Hernando.

Doors open at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon and games starting at 1 p.m. The price is $15 per person and includes lunch. There will be games, prizes and a silent auction.

For more information and reservations, call Doris Ricard at 352-419-5519.

The VFW Post Auxiliary 4864 in Citrus Springs presents Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 1, with dinner at 6 p.m.

There will be sauerbraten and spatzle with music by DJ Deb. Price is $20 per person.

The Post requests people let them know they will be attending.

Wall-Rives American Legion Post 58 invites the public to come play bingo each Thursday at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 4 p.m. There are snacks and soft drinks, crackers and candy bars for sale. Free parking.

The post is at 10730 U.S. 41 North in Dunnellon.

Female Veterans Network of Citrus County meets September through May at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at the Citrus County Resource Center cafeteria, opposite side of the building from the Lecanto VA Clinic, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court.

Female Veterans Network seeks to form camaraderie among female veterans, help especially female veterans and those in need and be involved in the community. They honor the past and are focused on the future.

For more information, call Cynthia Henderson at 352-628-6481 or Jo Monty 952-239-1027 and visit the website at femalevets.net and like them on Facebook.

Female Veterans Network of Citrus County has scholarships available to one female senior JROTC cadet from each of the three local high schools pursuing post high school education.

For more information, contact the school JROTC instructor or the school counselor.

Commander James Fuller of the VFW U.S. Dumas-Hartson Post 8189 announced the kick-off of the VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition youth essay competition.

Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Students must write and record a three to five minute essay on the selected theme using an audio CD or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local VFW Post by Oct. 31. The 2022-23 theme selected is “Why is the Veteran Important?”

Students begin by competing at the local Post level, then Post winners compete at the District level with the winner advancing to the state level.

All first place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, D.C. and the chance to compete for their share of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The first place winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship.

Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman at VFW Post 8189 by phone at 352-795-5012, email post8189@vfwfl.org, or visiting vfw.org/VOD.

The Citrus County Veterans Coalition announces that it’s resuming normal operating hours. The hours of operation will remain every Tuesday, and the first and third Thursday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon. All honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses may collect food stuffs once per month. They may register any day during normal opening hours.

If these hours are unacceptable for any reason, contact Bob Bendle at 352-800-8952. Alternate arrangements can be arranged to get you food. The Citrus County Veterans Coalition is at 1039 N. Paul St., Inverness.

As one of the events of the annual Veterans Appreciation Week, the Veterans In The Classroom (VITC) program allows veterans to give presentations about their military service to Citrus County schoolchildren.

The VITC program will operate from Oct. 31 through Nov. 10. Veterans interested in participating in this event are required to register on the Citrus County school district website at citrusschools.org.

On the website, scroll down to the red circles. Click the arrow right or left to find the “Veterans in the Classroom” flag icon. Then click on the icon to read about the VITC program and complete the registration process. Registration closes on Oct. 14.

On Oct. 15, the VFW Post 4337 is hosting a BBQ Cook-off fundraiser.

Come out to compete with other grillers or to sample great barbecue. The event’s proceeds go to supply guide dogs for veterans.

For more information, email Beth at esnelling1011@gmail.com.

To honor our heroes on Veterans Day, the Air Force Tribute Bike, the Chief, will be on display at Plaza CDRJ of Inverness on State Road 44. It will be there from Thursday, Nov.10, until Wednesday, Nov.16.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at The Depot in downtown Inverness, the Navy Tribute Bike, Top Gun, and the Army/911 Tribute Bike will be on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Military Tribute Bike trailer will be in the parade and will end up at The Depot.

VFW Auxiliary 4337 is collecting school supplies for Inverness Primary School.

They have a box for the items at the Post along with a list from the school for parents’ convenience. They appreciate anything the public can give to get the students off to a great new year.

After meeting with Hernando’s director of the Family Resource Center, a bin has been set up at VFW Post 4252 in Hernando, where the helicopter is on Route 200, for donations to help more than 2,000 Citrus County children this Christmas.

The director explained that each child on their list will receive a blanket, sheets, a set of clothes and a toy. Also, blankets and sheets are the hardest donations to receive.

The age ranges are anywhere from a small child to almost 18, however, the ages of 3-12 are predominant for toys. The Center will begin wrapping the gifts this September and donations need to begin.

Those planning to support these children should keep in mind that they’re very young and like cool designs or some sort of cartoon on their bedding.

Items can be dropped off at VFW Post 4252 from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week. For any questions, email cornhusker69@yahoo.com or call 352-726-3339 and ask for Matt Winn or John Stewart.

Join VFW Post 8189 for our meat spin. Always a fun time and you could go home with a delicious, generous portion of meat. This is the third Saturday of every month at 2 p.m., 8856 W. Veterans Drive, Homosassa.

VFW Post 8189 in Homosassa hosting a dart league at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Lots of fun for all.

Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart requests the public’s assistance in reaching a goal of 1,000 wreaths this year to honor veterans on Dec. 17 at Bushnell National Cemetery. The cost for a wreath is $15.

Interested persons can help by going to the Wreaths Across America (Chapter 776) website at wreathsacrossamerica.org/FL0227P and order one or more wreaths; payment can be made by credit card.

Those who wish to pay by check can make them out to Chapter 776, MOPH. Send to Sandy Cross, 8580 E. Orange Ave., Floral City, FL 34436. Provide the veteran’s name, section and gravesite to honor a specific veteran at Bushnell and Cross will order the wreath.

For more information or help with the website, contact Cross at mom4sba@tampabay.rr.com or call 352-502-1641.

The VFW Post 4864 located at North Citrus Springs Boulevard hosts a $12 dinner every Friday from 5-6:30 p.m.

All are invited and to-go orders are available. For more information, call 352-465-4864.

Any veterans in Citrus County who cannot afford their eyeglasses or are in need of vision care can contact Inverness Lions Club at 352-560-8741.

The club can help with any vision need. Residency and income requirements apply.

VFW Post 7122 is at 8191 S. Florida Ave., Floral City. Nonmembers are invited to join us for special events and days that we serve meals. Our new kitchen manger, Kelly Lovelady, prepares meals for the Post on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m. We have a variety of DJs offering karaoke from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and Fridays.

The District 7 meeting of the VFW’s and Auxiliaries within District 7 will be held at VFW Post 7122 on Saturday, Sept. 17. Lunch served at noon with meetings and schools of instructions to follow at 1 p.m.

Follow us on Facebook @VFWPost7122 or call 352-637-0100.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 15-1 of Crystal River invites local citizens to consider joining the Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary is an all-volunteer branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. Prospective members must be U.S. citizens, be able to pass a background check, should be interested in helping spread the word in our community about safe boating practices, participate in unit activities, assist the Coast Guard with a variety of missions – some on land and some on the water.

In addition, members must have access to a computer and be willing to complete necessary training to achieve and maintain membership.

The unit meets each month on the first Monday at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Melissa at melissafrank2021@gmail.

The Female Veterans Network is selling pins for $5 at Mac 1 Signs Inc., 7068 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd. in Homosassa.

For information, call 352-628-3246.

Veterans dog tags now being made at the Beverly Hills American Legion Post 237 at 6726 N. Lecanto Highway.

These are the genuine notched and un-notched type tags as were issued. Chains and silencers also in stock. Custom-made tags for any purpose, veterans, pets, luggage, etc.

Call the post at 352-897-4776 to make an appointment. Proceeds go to Post 237 veterans programs.

The Crystal River American Legion Post 155 hosts a breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. every Sunday, at American Legion Post 155, 6585 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway, Crystal River, for an $8 donation.

The proceeds from these meals support the Legion programs, veterans and community. All are welcome. Information: 352-795-6526.

The Lecanto Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic is accepting enrollment applications for eligible veterans. Primary Care and Mental Health access is available. Call 352-746-8004 or visit in person at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto, to apply.

DAV Auxiliary Unit 70 in Inverness is coordinating a “Sweats for Vets” drive, collecting new sweatshirts and pants. These will be donated to VA hospitals and nursing homes for recovering veterans and those in rehabilitation. When you go shopping, remember a vet and put a new sweatsuit in your cart – any size or color. Please, do not drop off used clothing.

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the DAV chapter hall at the corner of Independence Highway and North Paul Drive, Inverness near the pink elephant on U.S. 41; or call Sunny Hayes, auxiliary commander, at 352-527-3395; or Ann Fair, senior vice commander, at 352-249-7827 to make other arrangements.

Business offering a discount to female veterans for services or goods can now be listed on the website of the Female Veterans Network.

Send your business information, what you are willing to offer as a discount, and a contact name to cynthia@femaleveteransnetwork.org, and list the subject as: offering discount.

Want to be a member and support Female Veterans Network? Go to femaleveteransnetwork.org for membership information or to make a donation to support the group’s projects.

Scheduled appointments and walk-in clients at the Citrus County Veterans Service Office will be seen from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Anyone wishing to meet with a service officer between 4 and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday should call to make an appointment, as walk-ins will not be accepted during these hours.

For information, call the Veterans Service Office directly at 352-527-5915.

Benefits have been extended from August 1953 to December 1987 for former residents of Camp Lejeune.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, may have been exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene and other chemicals.

Veterans, and non-veterans, who served (lived) at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, may be eligible for cost-free medical care through Veterans Affairs (VA) for a variety of health conditions. Contact a Veteran Service Officer for details or to file a claim.

Veterans must still meet the criteria of a veteran – minimum service time, character of discharge, serving in the active-duty military, naval or sea service.

The Citrus County Veterans Services Division is compiling a list of local businesses that offer discounts to veterans. Those with local businesses who would like to have their discount information included on a list are asked to call 352-527-5915 with a contact phone number, amount/type of discount and required proof of veteran status.

The Veterans Service Office provides guidance and assistance to veterans and their families to assist with navigation through state and federal VA systems and participate in coordination with local charitable organizations and businesses to ensure veterans and their families are receiving as much assistance as possible from the local community. Call the Veterans Service Office at 352-527-5915 or visit www.citrusbocc.com.

HPH Hospice, as a partnering agency with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides tailored care for veterans and their families.

The program is provided in private homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and staff is trained to provide Hospice care specific to illnesses and conditions unique to each military era or war. It also provides caregiver education and a recognition program to honor veterans’ services and sacrifices. HPH Hospice care and programs do not affect veterans’ benefits. Call the Citrus Team Office at 352-527-4600.

VITAS Healthcare offers volunteer opportunities for veterans who are interested in helping support veteran hospice patients and their families. VITAS Healthcare veteran volunteers bring military experiences and cultural bond to their hospice work and offer the outstanding ability to relate and connect with veteran patients and their families.

As a partner of the We Honor Veterans program, the interdisciplinary team at VITAS Healthcare acknowledges the service of veterans in its care by honoring their unique needs and wishes and by providing programs and services that honor and support.

Call the volunteer department at 352-527-2020 or 866-642-0962.

Yoga teacher Ann Sandstrom is associated with the national service organization, Yoga For Vets. She teaches free classes to combat veterans at several locations and times. Call Sandstrom at 352-382-7397.

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