Author: Bill Watts

Happy Holidays from Vet Info

Thank you to all our Veterans and to those who continue to serve our great nation. Your courage, sacrifice, and dedication do not go unnoticed. Wishing you and your families a Happy Holiday season and a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Team Vet Info

Vet Info wishes all Veterans and Active Service Members a Happy and Safe Holiday Season. Picture shows a Beautiful Holiday Wreath.

Message from Founder Bill Watts

As a former member of the United States Army, the holidays always remind me how important it is to honor those who have served—and those who are serving right now. I spent more than one holiday season far from the people I loved, proudly wearing the uniform of our nation.

From the deserts of Egypt, to the DMZ ( Camp Casey ) in South Korea, and during Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, those moments were not easy. One holiday, I received a care package from my mother filled with some of my favorite foods and cookies. That simple gesture meant everything—bringing warmth and comfort to me in the middle of a desert, more than 10,000 miles from home.

When we speak of those in uniform, we must also remember the families who feel their absence every single day. Behind every service member is a family missing them, especially during the holidays.

SSGT Jimmy Haws—gone but never forgotten. To those I proudly served alongside—1st Sgt. Maynard Meadows, Jonah Booth, Steven Mafnas, Cpl Cruz, SSGT Berley, and so many others from C Battery, 4/5 ADA, 1st Cavalry Division—you are truly missed. I hope one day our paths cross again.

To all Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families: thank you for your sacrifice, your strength, and your service. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a strong, hopeful New Year.

U.S. Southern Command Fishing Club Saturdays Hosted by Vet Info

Fishing Club Saturdays – A Reel Success!
On October 18th, Vet Info, in partnership with U.S. Southern Command Garrison, MWR, and the BOSS Program, hosted Fishing Club Saturdays at the facility. The event was a big success, giving service members and their families a chance to enjoy the outdoors together.
Children and adults alike had the opportunity to learn fishing techniques from Vet Info staff and Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff Captain Bill Watts. While not everyone landed a catch, smiles were abundant and memories were made!
We’re excited to continue this fun and educational event into 2026 — helping even more families get hooked on fishing.

🎣 All equipment is provided.
Please note: Participants must have a valid ID card allowing entry through security.

Hope to see you at the next Fishing Club Saturday!

Vet Info in Partnership with Guitar Center of Miami Provides Guitars for Music Therapy at the Miami VA Hospital

Vet Info is proud to continue its partnership with the Miami VA Hospital, supporting Veterans through the power of music. Together with Guitar Center of Miami, we are once again providing guitars for individual and group music therapy sessions. This marks the third time Vet Info has been able to donate instruments, ensuring that Veterans have greater access to the therapeutic and educational benefits of music.

For many Veterans, the cost of a guitar can be a barrier, leaving them limited to practice only during their weekly classes. Through this program, Veterans who cannot afford an instrument are given the opportunity to take a guitar home to practice and grow their skills. Those who demonstrate commitment by attending classes regularly and showing progress may even earn the chance to keep the guitar, as determined by their instructor.

Thanks to our partnership with Guitar Center, Vet Info has provided more than 20 guitars to date—and we are committed to continuing this effort for years to come, helping Veterans find healing, focus, and joy through music.

Thank you – Neno and staff for the support of Vet Info and the veterans who served our nation.

Guitar Center of Miami

American Hero Golf Program

The Miami-Dade County Parks Golf Division and Biltmore Golf course in conjunction with the Miami VA Healthcare
System is proud to offer Combat veterans who have served in the combat theaters, or active-duty, whom are current
residents of Miami-Dade County, the recreational opportunity to learn and play the game of golf at no charge through the
“America’s Heroes Golf Program”.

This offering may include free green fees, golf equipment and facilities, free range
balls and golf cart fees at four Miami-Dade County public golf courses.
All interested combat veterans must register and meet eligibility criteria. Once you have been certified eligible
for the golf program, you will be notified of program procedures and facilities availability.

America’s Heroes Golf Program_Updated2025Download

Roast and Reel 2025 ( Pig Roast and Fishing Competition )

🎣🔥Roast & Reel 2025: A Day to Remember at U.S. Southern Command! 🔥🎣

On May 29, 2025, Vet Info teamed up with MWR at U.S. Southern Command to deliver a one-of-a-kind event: Roast & Reel — a pig roast and fishing competition like no other, with support from the Pig Roast Bowl Series!

👨‍🍳🔥 The Roast:
Top chefs from police departments across Miami-Dade County went head-to-head in the Military Edition of the Pig Roast Competition. Five elite teams battled it out for the title of “Best Roast” — bringing the heat and the flavor for our service members and their families.

🎣🏆 The Reel:
Vet Info also hosted the Commander’s Cup Fishing Tournament on-site, where nearly 60 participants competed for awards in:

  • Biggest Fish
  • Most Fish Caught
  • Smallest Fish

It was a close call, with rods in the water and smiles all around — a true celebration of community, camaraderie, and competition!

👏 A huge THANK YOU to all the service members, veterans, civilians, and law enforcement teams who made this event unforgettable.

💻 Want to learn more about Vet Info and how we support active-duty military and veterans?
Visit our website and fill out the Contact Us form. We’d love to connect!
👉 [www.vetinfo.org]

#RoastAndReel2025 #VetInfo #SupportOurTroops #PigRoastBowlSeries #MilitaryCommunity #FishingTournament #USSouthernCommand #MWR #VeteransSupport #MilitaryLife

Vet Info Co-Founder Bill speaks to Students and Staff at Florida International University about the importance of Giving Back – 22 Janurary 2025.

Vet Info Capt. Bill was invited to Florida International University ( F.I.U.) to spend the afternoon with the Panthers during the Non-Profit 101 Seminar. Bill expressed the importance of giving back, volunteering, and Suicide Prevention in the Veteran Community. We are proud of all our Founders and thier involvement in the community. Link to Speech on our You-Tube Video Channel.

Recognition from Admiral Alvin Holsey / Commanding General of U.S. Southern Command.

What a great surpise today while holding our monthly Cast Off 22/ Fishing Friday event at U.S. Southern Command to receive a hand written note from Admiral Holsey. For a 4 Star General to take time out of his busy schedule to recognize Mark and Bill both with Thank You notes is a great Honor.

Vet Info Receives Certificate of Appreciation

Vet Info who is a strong supporter of health care in our Veterans receives a Certificate of Appreciation for the VISN 8 Lung Health Fair 2023. Our Founder William “Bill” Watts is the VISN 8 Veteran Advocate for the LPOP Team. He suffers from Toxic Exposures and was diagnosed with RADS after his participation in Desert Storm in 1991. ( RADS – Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome ).