City of Jacksonville kicks off ‘Celebration of Valor’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville city leaders on Monday marked the start of 23 veteran events between Monday and Dec. 14.

The first is a “Charity Golf Scramble” set for Friday at Queens Harbor Golf and Country Club.

The last will be a “Wreaths Across America” event at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Dec. 14.

Twelve organizations across the region also received grants for their work with veterans.

Those groups are:

• Five STAR Veterans Center
• K9s for Warriors
• Here Tomorrow
• Operation New Uniform
• United Way of Northeast Florida
• Northeast Florida Women’s Veterans
• Florida National Guard Foundation
• Hope 4 Veterans
• Friends of Jacksonville Veterans Treatment Court
• Task Force Hydro 1
• Jacksonville Humane Society
• Operation Barnabas

City leaders say this celebration allows them to expand upon Veterans Day and honor those who served and talk.

“Tell every one of those stories,” Councilman Jimmy Peluso said. “That’s what this is meant to be. Because you can get alot of things in this world. You can own a home. You can buy nice jewelry. You can have a nice car. All those things can be taken away. But there is nothing that can be taken away. Especially if you have a DD214. That is your service to your country. You are a United States military veteran and no one can take that away from you. Enjoy this week of valor and thank you so much for what you do.”

For the full list events, click on the image below.