The lazy hazy days of summer are coming to a close and our local veteran organizations are gearing up for a very active next few months.

The first important date is Sept 4^th when members of the UF/SFC Bridge Scholarship Committee get together to select recipients for the 2015 Fall Semester. This committee has raised close to $300,000.00 to assist young student veterans “bridge” the gap between receiving VA Educational Benefits and the start of school. Since it usually takes the VA several months to process benefit applications this scholarship is awarded at the start of school to help pay immediate expenses associated with college life. Forest Meadows veteran’s representative Jim Lynch is part of this committee and will be proudly awarding the “Jim Lynch Scholarship” to a worthy veteran student.

The Military Officers Association of America will be hosting a joint luncheon with the Chamber of Commerce on Sept 14^th featuring Judge Phillip A. Pena, Chief Judge, Alachua County Veterans Court. Judge Pena will speak about the on-going success of the newly developed court proceedings for veterans who have run afoul of the law. This program is only for honorably discharged veterans who have been charged with misdemeanors who want to change their lives to the better.   If they complete the yearlong program by volunteering or go to work or go to school and stay out of trouble their criminal record is expunged. It is a great program and just another way to say “thank you” to those that have served.

Mr. Lynch will be speaking to the Vietnam Veterans of America on Sept 21^st. For more information about this presentation or about our veteran community or upcoming community patriotic events contact Jim at 352-538-3119.