Orlando
VFW National Convention Returns to Orlando Saturday
Published
5 years agoon
By
FNN NEWSKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie will be joining more than 10,000 members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary at the 120th VFW National Convention as it convenes this Saturday through July 24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The business sessions are closed to the public, but a free, two-day weekend veterans walk-in claims clinic and four-day health fair are accessible to all veterans, service members and their families in West Hall C-WD1.
“It’s been 11 years since our last national convention was held in Orlando, so it is great to be back!” exclaimed VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence, of Alamogordo, N.M., “and we are honored to have two cabinet secretaries join us next week, as well as recognize some very deserving individuals with the VFW’s highest national awards,” he said.
“We hope to hear Secretary Pompeo address issues, challenges and successes as it pertains to America’s overseas alliances, returning missing and unaccounted-for service members home to their families, and ongoing efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and material,” he said. “From Secretary Wilkie, we look forward to hearing about ongoing initiatives to return VA benefits to Blue Water Navy Veterans, as well as the proper implementation of the MISSION Act, and program enhancements to women’s health, mental health, homelessness, and access to VA care.”
The VFW national commander explained that the 10,000 VFW and VFW Auxiliary delegates represent the organization’s total membership of more than 1.6 million at the weeklong convention. Their mission will be to approve new national priorities to guide the VFW as it lobbies Congress on issues important to the nation’s veterans, service members and their families. In addition, convention delegates will also elect a new VFW national commander, William J. “Doc” Schmitz, of Corning, N.Y., as well as recognize prominent individuals and organizations for their support of the veterans and military communities.
Receiving VFW national awards on Monday and Tuesday are:
- VFW Americanism Award to Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman of the Board, National League of POW/MIA Families
- VFW Armed Forces Award to Adm. Michelle Howard, U.S. Navy retired
VFW Citizenship Award to Ken Fisher, Chairman & CEO, Fisher House Foundation - VFW Commander-in-Chief’s Gold Medal of Merit to Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, U.S. Air Force retired, Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
- VFW Commander-in-Chief’s Gold Medal of Merit to Brig. Gen. Jack Hammond, U.S. Army retired, Executive Director, Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Home Base Program
VFW National Teacher Awards to:
- Bobbie Schamens, 4th grade teacher, Meadowview Intermediate School, Sparta, Wisc.
- Anne Martin, 7th grade teacher, Williams Middle School, Tracy, Calif.
- Kevin Wagner, AP teacher, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, Pa.
VFW Fred C. Hall Outstanding Post Special Project Award to VFW Post 10555, Panama City Beach, Fla.
Mike Eshenbaugh, VFW Accredited Service Representative of the Year
Christine Troll, $30,000 VFW Voice of Democracy winner
VFW National Home for Children 2019 Buddy Poppy Child Brooklyn Hekman, age 9
Also coming to town Tuesday for the VFW Patriotic Rally will be Sailor Jerri and the U.S. Army’s own Six-String Soldiers.
Although not open to the public, the VFW National Convention will livestream its July 22-24 business sessions at VFW.org/convention beginning at 8 a.m. EDT. Only registered and credentialed media from bona fide news organizations will be approved to cover convention activities. Click here to pre-register. Onsite registration begins Saturday, July 20, at the VFW Communications Office inside the Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C-WD1.
Major sponsors of the VFW 120th National Convention are USAA and Philips.
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Florida
Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Published
1 month agoon
March 10, 2024By
Mike BrodskyORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.
The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
Golf
Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Published
3 months agoon
January 21, 2024By
Mike BrodskyORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.
Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.
Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.
Golf
Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Returns to Lake Nona
Published
3 months agoon
January 17, 2024By
Mike BrodskyORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is back at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando Thursday, 1/18 through Sunday, 1/21. This tournament kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 74th season, featuring top women golfers, who have qualified by winning a tournament in 2022 or 2023, playing alongside celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment, and music.
Comedy fans can watch Larry The Cable Guy entertain the crowd with his one-liners and banter. “Fresh Prince” fans can tune in to Alfonso Ribeiro in hopes of seeing him dance “The Carlton.” Bachelor fans can follow Ben Higgins or Wells Adams to see if they’re passing out any roses.
Sports fans can see some true legends in a different light. Basketball fans can look for Vince Carter, Ray Allen, or Chandler Parsons. Baseball fans can watch for John Smoltz, Albert Pujols, or Roger Clemens. Football fans will find Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson.
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