JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A job fair for veterans and their spouses is being held Wednesday at Normandy Mall and is the kick-off event of the city of Jacksonville's Week of Valor.
"Bring your resume and dress for success," said Rear Adm. Ret. Victor Guillory.
Guillory said during his interview on "The Morning Show" that there will be 40 companies attending the job fair looking to fill positions. Career counselors will also be on hand to help veterans with their resumes and in need of some career advice.
The job fair runs until 3 p.m. at Kingdom Plaza at the Normandy Mall, 5310 Lenox Ave.
Also Wednesday, Rep. Ander Crenshaw held the annual Veterans Special Recognition Ceremony at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Sgt. First Class Gary Surrency, a retired Army veteran, was honored.
"This is all that I know, and I would be willing to sacrifice the ultimate sacrifice for this country," Surrency said. "I do love this country."
The 20-year veteran fought in the Middle East, and stateside he saved a child trapped in a mobile home that was on fire. But he won't call himself a hero.
"I think the real heroes are the ones that have fallen since 1994 of retiring. You come to realize that," Surrency said.
He said he always felt called to serve in the military.
"It's just something I wanted to do, and I think I made the right choice, and if I had to make it again I think I would," Surrency said.
Although the special recognition means the world to him, he feels honored just to have served his country.
"I would think that there is no greater service that you could give than being in the military or serving," Surrency said.
He was one of 70 servicemen and women from northeast Florida honored at Wednesday's ceremony.
During the annual ceremony, Crenshaw officially recognized the military service of veterans who have served the country from World War II through through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Crenshaw has honored over 2,300 veterans since he started these ceremonies 13 years ago.
"It's probably one of the most rewarding things that I do, is to see their faces when they get the recognition that they deserve," Crenshaw said.
These were just some of the many Week of Valor events planned leading up to Veterans Day on Tuesday. There will be a Veterans Affairs Mental Health Summit from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bob Hayes Sports Complex and Legends Center. Several professionals will be on hand to meet with veterans and discuss not just mental health wellness, but also what changes are happening now within the embattled Veteran's Affairs Administration. For more information, contact Ebony Benjamin at 904-475-6065 or ebony.benjamin@va.gov.
Here are some other events planned for the next several days:
Friday
Missing in America Project - Florida
1-2 p.m. at Jacksonville National Cemetery
Contact Kathy Church for details: 904-219-3035, maipjax.com
K9 Service Corps. documentary
Reception at 6:30 p.m. at the University of North Florida; program begins at 7pm.
Contact: Ray Wikstron at 904-620-2655, ray.wikstron@unf.edu
United States Naval Academy Glee Club performing with Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; Times Union Center Jacoby Hall
Contact: Linda Chaney at 904-356-0426
Sunday
Salute to Military Race 5k Run
8 a.m., downtown Jacksonville
Contact: 904-910-5241
Monday
American Legion Re-dedication of Eternal Flame
1-2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery
Contact: Tom Gora at 904-583-4597
USMC Ceremony for Fallen Hospital Corpsmen
4:30-5 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery
Contact: Lt. Col. R.P. Adelhelm at 904-234-3540
Memorial Park Salute to Veterans Concert
6-8 p.m. at Memorial Park in Riverside
Contact: Ms. Halliham at 904-614-0077
Tuesday
Veteran's Day Parade (will be streamed live carried on News4Jax.com)
11:01 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in downtown Jacksonville
Begins at EverBank Field and weaves through downtown
Community Support Salute Veterans Past, Present and Future
2-4 p.m. at 1127 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach
Wednesday Nov. 12
Red Cross Centennial Luncheon
Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens