2023 Rolling Thunder® Events

Events CALENDAR FOR 2023

Our Calendar of Events is where you can find upcoming events that Rolling Thunder® Inc., Chapter 1 Florida may participate in. Dates preceded by a RED ASTERISK indicate that the event is an official Chapter 1 event. It is also a great resource to find other veteran and other community activities.

We publish all kinds of events - not just Rolling Thunder®, so If you, or your organization would like to publish your special event on our calendar,
just let our events coordinator know.

A 7-day advance notice would be great!

EVENTS COORDINATOR - DENA ARMSTRONG
rtfl1events@gmail.com

Definitions and abbreviations used in the calendar:

Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida General Membership meetings begin at 1400 (2:00 PM) on the 4th Sunday of every month, excluding May.

* January 22, 2023
* February 19, 2023 - Board of Directors Meeting at 1300.
* March 26, 2023
* April 23, 2023
* May - Memorial Day Ceremonies
* June 25, 2023
* July 23, 2023
* August 27, 2023
* September 24, 2023 - Elections
* October 22, 2023
* November 26, 2023 - Subject to change
* December 2023 - Details will be provided as we get further into the year end holidays.

ALA
AVET
BCSO
BNOVLB
BVC
CCNC
GDF
IRCC
JROTC
MOAACC
NVHS
MCL
MOPH
POC
PSFB
ROTC
SCHF
VMC

American Legion Auxiliary
AVET Project, Inc. (info@avet-project.org)
Brevard County Sheriff's Office
Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind
Brevard Veterans Council
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery
Good Deeds Foundation
Indian River Colony Club
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter, Inc.
National Veterans Homeless Support (321-208-7562)
Marine Corps League
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Point of Contact
Patrick Space Force Base
Reserve Officer Training Corps
Space Coast Honor Flight (321 456-7031)
Veterans Memorial Center (321-453-1776)

August 26, 2023: MOAACC Sponsored Military Leadership Preparation Seminar at VMC with two sessions 1300-1500 and 1500-1700. Reps from all academies, 10 ROTC college programs and other routes to military leadership available. Review of the application process for various options. Open to all High School Juniors and Seniors and their parents. Contact Donn Weaver 757-871-6576 for more info.

August 29, 2023: Marine Forces Reserve Birthday.

August 29, 2023: VMC Library Discussion Series 1800-1930 on Vietnam and the impact of that war. Paul Julian, VMC VP is the presenter. Refreshments served.

* September 08, 2023: Rolling Thunder Member Jim Istvan Funeral and Escort at 1200 hours. Uniform will be White Shirt/Black Pants. Wylie-Baxter Funeral Home, 1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Viewing at 1100; Funeral 1200; Escort 1300 to Rockledge Memorial Gardens, 5950 US-1, Rockledge, FL 32955.

September 09, 2023: Space Coast Honor Flight Mission to DC. Ceremony starts at 0215 AM at the Wickham Park Senior Center in Melbourne. Help support the WWII, Korea, Vietnam and other veterans with health issues be honored and provided a special flight and full day to see all their monuments in Washington, DC. Checkout schf.org for more details.

* September 09, 2023: 11:00 a.m. service. Ms. April Shank has requested FL Chapter 1 provide an escort on Saturday, September ninth (9th.) for the cremains of her father, US Navy Gunners' mate (Vietnam) Mark Alan Mroczka. Mr. Mroczka is also a friend of our VP, Cindy Flowers. Please go directly to the funeral home; there is no pre-staging. This is now an official RTFL1 event.

The escort will follow the service at 11:00 a.m. from the Brownlie Maxwell funeral home, 1010 East Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, FL, en route to the residence of April’s Grandmother at 2817 Fountainhead Blvd., Melbourne, FL.

September 11, 2023: Patriot Day. An annual observance to remember and honor those who were injured or killed during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

September 11, 2023: Remembering 9/11 Road Show by One Senior Place at Parasol, Melbourne, 4881 Dairy Road 1000-1100. Keynote by NYPD Retired Police Inspector Edward Hamilton who was at ground zero on 9/11/2001. Snacks and Raffle. RSVP required 321-751-6771.

* September 11, 2023: Patriot Day Brevard County 9/11 22nd Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony at VMC Plaza area 1800-1930. Sponsored by Club 1013 and the MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation, and hosted by VMC. Remembering those lost on 9/11/2001 and all those who fell later as. a result of toxic exposure or while taking the fight to the terrorists abroad. FLYER

September 11, 2023: AVET sponsored Patriot Day Firearms Friendly Fun Night at Frogbones Family Shooting Center 1700-2000. Venue is located at 404 South Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne. Evening focused on remembering 9/11 and its impact on so many who went to the fight thereafter, as well as a fun evening to help raise funds for the AVET missions year round.

September 15, 2023: POW*MIA Recognition Day (Andersonville, GA). RTFL1 President and Board Member Gary McClain will be riding to Andersonville, GA for the September 15-16 weekend and will be staying near Warner Robins AFB. Departure from Brevard County TBD. Coordinate with Lance if interested in supporting fcadoc@gmail.com.

* September 15, 2023: POW*MIA Remembrance Day Chair Dedication in Orlando at 1200. Uniform will be Red Shirt. Rothman Orthopedics Innovation Tower, 265 E. Rollins Street, Suite 11000 (11th Floor), Orlando, FL 32804. More information on Route/Rally Point/KSU to come from State Liason. RTFL1 President suggests Breakfast 0900 C's Waffle House 5600 FL-524, Cocoa, FL 32926 w/ KSU 1000. Would appreciate a ride Captain or member with GPS to assist RTFL1 VP as lead. Please coordinate with Cindy Flowers.

* September 15, 2023: Port St Lucie POW*MIA Remembrance Day Chair Dedication at 1800. Uniform will be Red Shirt. Port St Lucie Veterans Memorial Park, 2100 SE Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Port St Lucie, FL 34952. More information on Route/Rally Point/KSU to come. RTFL6 is dedicating a granite POW/MIA Chair of Honor to the Port St Lucie Veterans Park. Attached find the invitation and the flyer for the event. Hotel Information: Holiday Inn Express in Port St Lucie is close to I-95. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/port-st-lucie/pslex/hoteldetail

* September 16, 2023: Florida's 3rd Seven Bridges POW*MIA Remembrance Day Ride at 1000. Uniform will be Yellow/Green Shirt. Adamec Harley-Davidson, 8909 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Rally Point C's Waffle House, 5600 FL-524, Cocoa, FL 32926 w/ Breakfast 0630/KSU 0730. Would appreciate a ride Captain or member with GPS to lead. Please coordinate with State Liaison Tom Lynch lyncht1@nationwide.com. Event registration and information available at floridalegion.org.

September 18, 2023: U.S. Air Force Birthday.

September 26, 2023: VMC Library Discussion Series, 1800-1930. Rescheduled from August, The Vietnam War: An Overview by Paul Julian with drinks and snacks served.

September 30, 2023: JROTC Raider Challenge Meet in VMC Park 0800-1230. Features many High School Teams with support from VMC and MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation for all trophies. (Invitational Meet).

October 06, 2023: Eighth Annual NVHS Rescuing Veterans Lost in America Dinner and Fundraiser 1730-2100 at the Radisson Resort, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL. Sponsorships available. $100 per place fundraiser.

The dinner still has tables and sponsorship opportunities available. Click on the link below to register.
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ejqh79mv10136db6&llr=i5rpgaqab

OR

Email event@nvhs.org or call NVHS 321-208-7562 for more information. FLYER

5:30 - 6:30 Welcome and Cocktails
6:30 - 7:00 Introduction and Dinner
7:00 - 8:00 Speaker and Silent Auction
8:00 - 9:00 NVHS presentation by CEO and Live Auction

October 13, 2023: U.S. Navy's 248th Birthday.

October 14, 2023: US Navy’s 248th Birthday Fundraiser with a picnic at the Cape Canaveral VFW Post 10131 on 106 Longpoint Road, Cape Canaveral. 1500- ??? hours with a menu of BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork, Hamburgers and Sides for $15. Sponsored by the Navy League’s Cape Canaveral Council. RSVP at NLCCC@LIVE.COM .

October 14, 2023: Space Coast Honor Flight Mission to DC. Ceremony starts at 0215 AM at the Wickham Park Senior Center in Melbourne. Help support the WWII, Korea, Vietnam and other veterans with health issues be honored and provided a special flight and full day to see all their monuments in Washington, DC. Checkout schf.org or contact Ted/Paula Suzor on 321-877-1828 for more details.

October 14, 2023: JROTC Raider Challenge Meet in VMC Park 0800-1230. Features many High School Teams with support from VMC and MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation for all trophies. (County Meet).

October 21, 2023: Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum Open Car Show 1700-2000, at 6600 Tico Road, at the Airport in Titusville. All cars, trucks, cycles welcome with Registration fee of $20. Public $10 admission. Music, Food, Drawings, Free Museum Admission if registered. For questions call Bob on 321-948-7553.

October 21, 2023: Support Committee at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Annual Fundraiser at American Legion Post 1 on Route 1, Titusville 1800- 2100. Raffle, Door Prizes, Silent Auction. BBQ full dinner included for $20 per person. Mail Checks to SC/CCNC, PO Box 554, Mims, FL 32754

October 24, 2023: Quarterly Women Veteran Outreach and Support Luncheon. All women veterans are invited to participate in sharing stories, making new friends, reconnecting with old friends, and hearing about various available resources. 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Lunch will be served so please RSVP Dorothy Walsh at dorothy@theirvoiceofhope.com.

October 26, 2023: National Day of the Deployed.

October 26, 2023: BCSO Shredder Event - Veterans Memorial Park - 0900-1030.

October 28, 2023: Annual Space Coast Honor Flight Fundraiser and Dinner 1700-2030 at the Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne. Contact Teri on 321-759-1063 for tickets and information. Check out what SCHF does by visiting their web site.

October 28, 2023: JROTC Raider Challenge Meet in VMC Park 0800-1230. Features many High School Teams with support from VMC and MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation for all trophies. (District Meet).

October 31, 2023: VMC Library Discussion Series 1800-1930 VMC Library on Vietnam from Ben Bydalek, the owner of the Vietnam War Exhibit & Education Center in Melbourne. Refreshments served.

October 31, 2023: Women Veteran Outreach Program Safe Halloween festivities from 1500-1800 (3 - 6 PM) at the Veterans Memorial Center for the children of veterans and active duty military. Please see flyer. We want to make it extra special for our children. We are looking for volunteers to help with set up and clean up and coordinating the games. Would love to have a bounce house or other type of play area for the kids. We will have trunk or treat, bobbing for apples, arts & craft and all other kids of fun stuff including prizes. These kids deserve it. Anyone wishing to donate; their time, candy donations, arts & craft supplies, or make a monetary contribution, please let me know. It Takes A Village!!! Sign up is NOT required but will help give us an idea of how many ghosts and goblins we can expect. FLYER. For more information or to participate, contact Dorothy Walsh on 321-426-6736 or at dorothy@theirvoiceofhope.com.

November 04, 2023: Space Coast Honor Flight Mission to DC. Ceremony starts at 0215 AM at the Wickham Park Senior Center in Melbourne. Help support the WWII, Korea, Vietnam and other veterans with health issues be honored and provided a special flight and full day to see all their monuments in Washington, DC. Checkout schf.org for more details.

November 10, 2023: U.S. Marine Corps Birthday.

November 11, 2023: 248th USMC Birthday Ball 1800-2200 at the Radisson Conference Center in Cape Canaveral on A1A. Sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 513 of Brevard. Cost $40 per person. Reservations and payment required. Contact MCL at the VMC for more information to join in this special event.

November 11, 2023: Veterans Day. This is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice treaty, which ended World War I and is also a day to thank military Veterans for their service.

November 11, 2023: St Francis Reflections Veterans Day 5K - Veterans Memorial Park and Center - 0600-1030; followed by:

* VMC Veterans Day Ceremony and Pass in Review. Held at Brevard County’s hidden jewel, the Veterans Memorial Center 400 S Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, behind the Merritt Square Mall. We are looking for all organizations to participate in the Pass in Review to honor our veterans. Special guests will be PSFB Deputy Commander, Colonel S. Shannon DaSilva, and the President of Space Coast Honor Flight, Rear Admiral, Navy (Ret) Jim Hart. We will have many resources available for veterans. Following the ceremony feel free to have a guided tour by one of our amazing docents of the 3-floor Military Museum. If you would like to participate in the Pass in Review and/or as an available resource, please contact Veterans Memorial Events Coordinator Dorothy Walsh at dwalshusa@gmail.com. FLYER

November 11, 2023: First Annual City of Cape Canaveral and VFW Post 10131 Veterans Day Parade and festival afterwards at VFW Post in Cape Canaveral; Details and entry information in September. Free food and drinks; sponsors sought. Contact VFW Post 10131 for more information.

November 11, 2023: Rock’n Vet Music evening at H&D Roadhouse, 1811 E. Merritt Island Causeway rte 520, from 1500- 2300. Live music of all kinds, raffle, food, and fun. Sponsored by American Legion Post 344 based at the VMC. Contact Legion 344 for more information.

November 12, 2023: Sixth Annual NVHS Homestretch 5K for Homeless Veterans, 0700-1200 in the Eau Gallie Square. More Details in August. Call NVHS 321-208-7562 for more info.

November 15, 2023: Inaugural Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind (BNOVLB)) Committal Service for the unclaimed cremains of 20 veterans and spouses. Held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims 1400-1600 as Brevard honors the final promise to all veterans - an honorable resting place and remembrance. Contact BNOVLB coordinator Donn Weaver on 757-871-6576 or donnweaver2020@gmail.com for more information or to participate.

November 18, 2023: Veterans and Military Support MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation Golf Tournament at IRCC 0800-1400. Primary GDF Fundraiser of the year with sponsorships, hole sponsorships, golfing slots and auction/raffle prizes. Proceeds Support the GDF: A 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting the aims of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAACC). It has provided direct support and grants to area military (primarily in enlisted ranks), veterans, and their families; ROTC, JROTC, Sea Cadet, Civil Air Patrol,, as well as other Veteran organizations and groups since 2014.

November 23, 2023: VMC Library Discussion Series, 1800-1930 with presenter and topic TBD.

December 07, 2023: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The anniversary of the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, signaling the United States’ entrance into World War II.

December 08, 2023: World Changers Concert to support Veterans at the Saint Augustine Amphitheater 1700-2100. Presented by Danny Garcia, the Walking Marine, and featuring The Long Run Rock Band and dinner. Tickets on sale at www.theamp.com.

December 09, 2023: Merritt Island Community and VMC Inaugural Christmas Tree lighting and Gold Star Tree Ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park 1500-2000. Includes music, singing, food trucks and community spirit. More Details in October.

December 13, 2023: Annual Veterans Memorial Center Christmas Party during our monthly general membership meeting, 0930- 1200 Gray Hall at VMC.

December 13, 2023: U.S. National Guard Birthday.

December 16, 2023: 1200 -1600 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 344 annual children’s Christmas party, complete with a visit from Santa Claus. To participate or donate please contact ALA Unit 344 President, Rose Marie Hill at rmhill@cfl.rr.com.

December 16, 2023: Wreaths Across America at the VA Cape Canaveral National Cemetery 1000 -1200 in Mims and other veteran cemeteries in the area. Each year CCNC expands by almost 1200 veterans and spouses and we hope to raise the funds to have a wreath at every grave site. Contact Donn Weaver, 757-871-6576, for more information.

* December 17, 2023: Wreaths Across America Special Ceremony 1500-1630 at Pinecrest Cemetery, 815 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922. Honors Brevard Native Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient Emory Bennett and other veterans laid to rest in that cemetery. Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida wreath escort from VMC at 1400. Contact Dorothy Walsh at dorothy@theirvoiceofhope.com of VMC for more info.

December 20, 2023: U.S. Space Force Birthday

A link to the 2024 events calendar will be posted shortly.