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Veterans Day: Honrando los Veteranos de Doral – Por Qué Doral

Vet Info was featured on Por Que Doral (Why Doral) with Alejandro Marcano Santelli, honoring our veteran heroes on Veterans Day in collaboration with the City of Doral.

Samantha Pinilla, an FIU student and President of the FIU chapter of the Student Veterans of America, also serves as the Activities and Volunteer Services Director with Vet Info. (at 14:30 minutes)

Mark Pinilla, co-founder of Vet Info, is the organization’s president. Mark is also a professional in the real estate industry and a speaker/trainer. (at 16:50 minutes)

Thank you Councilman Rafael Pineyro from the City of Doral for bringing Vet Info into the spotlight and allowing us to share some of what we do for veterans.

No Veteran Left Behind – Veterans Day 2024

Mark Pinilla, Founder of Vet Info, spoke at Miami Dade College’s West Campus on Monday, November 4th, in honor of Veterans Day.

This day holds deep significance as a time to remember, reflect, and show respect for the countless men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Veterans Day offers us a moment to recognize the bravery, commitment, and resilience of those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms and ensuring our country’s security. As a nation, it is essential that we express our gratitude—not only by saluting our veterans but by acknowledging the sacrifices they and their families have made. We extend heartfelt thanks to those who have paid tribute to their invaluable contributions.

No Veteran Left Behind

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 ).

Fishing Friday July 2024 at U.S. Southern Command

As part of the Vet Info program Cast Off 22 ( Fishing Friday ) which we hold the third Friday of each month at U.S. Southern Command to provide a few hours of stress relief. During this event we have Veterans, Active-Duty and family members come out to enjoy the day with Vet Info Volunteers and Bass Pro – Pro Staff Capt. Bill Watts. We want to thank those support of Vet Info and we look forward to a great continued partnership/sponsorship of our Veteran focused program.  . 

Event – Fishing Friday
Location – U.S. Southern Command – Doral Florida
Participants – Veterans, Active Duty and family members
Largest fish this event – 5.29 lbs.  – picture 1000022125
Sponsors – Vet Info Volunteer Director Isabel Pinilla / Bass Pro Shops Capt. Bill Watts / Headquarters Toyota / U.S. Southern Command / U.S. Southern Command Garrison
Equipment – All rods and reels are Bass Pro Shops brands – Carbonlite combo, Stampede, Tourn. Special

Bill

Pro Staff Bass Pro Shops – Miami

Fishing Friday July 2024No Veteran Left BehindHeadquarter Toyota Bass Pro Shops rods and reels Caot. Bill Watts Bass Pro - Pro Staff MiamiFamily Members are invitedFish OnNice CatchUS Air Force Service memberProud of his fishGive it a KissItems for RentBig Fish of the DayDeputy Director of Garrison

Memorial Day 2024

On May 27, 2024, Memorial Day, at the City of Doral Veterans Park, Vet Info in collaboration with the City of Doral and the Doral Military Advisory Board held a memorial service in remembrance of the fallen men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.

Veterans and members of the Doral community came together to honor our fallen heroes.

Today is not about barbeques, drinking beer on a boat, sleeping in because you do not have to go to work today, or even the word “Happy” as so many use to describe the day.

Today is a day to celebrate the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we may do those things. A veteran said, “I can sleep at night, in peace, without fear because of their sacrifice”.

The cost is immeasurable!! A child growing up without their parent. A spouse without her partner. The passing of a family member and not being present. Missed games, ballet recitals, birthdays, and anniversaries are just standard operating procedures.

On this weekend of Memorial Day 2024, we implore you to take a moment and remember why you have the life that you have. Freedom is not free. It was paid by those heroic men and women who said, “I will give my life for you”.

Thank you to the following people for making Memorial Day 2024 a success.

  • SM William Fitzgerald Retired USMC conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Doral Police Department Chaplin Sgt Mulet gave the invocation.
  • SPC Napoles from the 13th Army Band performed TAPS.
  • LCMR Tony Chitwood US Navy Southern Command was the main speaker.
  • Mark Pinilla, Founder of Vet Info provided logistics and volunteers.
  • William “Bill” Watts US Army/Chair Military Advisory Committee
  • Chris Flynn US Air Force/Secretary Military Advisory Committee
  • City of Doral provided food from Sergios Restaurant in Doral
  • Starbucks on 41st and 115th Ave donated coffee.
  • Sports Clips on 41st St and 104th Ave donated haircut coupons.
  • Jersey Mikes Doral Plaza 58th Street and 107th Ave donated coupons.
  • City of Doral Police
  • City of Doral Parks Department


Special Guest in attendance:

  • Vice Mayor Oscar Puig
  • Council member Maureen Porras
  • Council member Rafael Pineyro
  • Derek Aguste Veteran & Military Affairs FIU
  • Samantha Pinilla President Student Veterans of America FIU
  • Kelly Aguste The Mission Continues
  • Amanda Khouri The Mission Continues
  • Amanda Rodriguez Veteran & Military Affairs FIU
  • Tomas Canela Mission United
  • Richard Bautista Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Green Knights Southern Command
  • Costa Del Sol Run Club
  • William Fitzgerald IV Young Marines
  • Juan Carlos Esquivel Doral Voice Community Radio
  • Ettore Sabatella Doral Family Journal/Civil Air Patrol

Publix Super Market at Doral Isle Fundraiser

📣 Join us at Publix in Doral Isle on 10755 NW 58th Street, Doral FL 33178, on May 19th and 26th from 12 pm to 3 pm for a special fundraiser! We are raising funds to help improve the quality of life for our military veterans. Your donations will support fishing, boating, and kayaking programs, provide scholarships for veteran families, and bring awareness to the overwhelming issue of 22 veteran suicides a day.

We do so much more to help our veterans, from community events to hygiene supply drives. Every dollar counts and makes a difference. Let’s show our veterans the support and appreciation they deserve. Come out, meet the team, and contribute to this important cause. Together, we can make a positive impact!

If you cannot make it, and would like to share, you can go to the donate page or scan the Zelle QR code to the right.

Vet Info is a local Doral, FL 501(c)(3) serving the veteran community.

#VetInfoFundraiser #SupportOurVeterans #VeteranLivesMatter #DoralIsle #PublixEvent #FishingForVets #BoatingForVets #KayakingForVets #VeteranScholarships #EndVeteranSuicide #22ADay #CommunitySupport #VeteranAwareness #ThankYouVeterans #CastOff22

Vet Info Establishes Fishing Fridays at Southern Command.

As Part of the Cast Off 22 Program Vet Info has established Fishing Fridays at U.S. Southern Command. This will be an on going program over the next 12 months to give the Active Duty and Veterans who work at the Installation a chance to learn how to fish or increase their skills with Bass Pro Shops Pro Bill Watts and the Vet Info Volunteers.

Fishing Friday at Southern CommandDisplaying the Vet Info No Veteran Left Behind T-Shirts and Headquarters Toyota shirtsVet Info Volunteer Isabelle posing with service members Prepping for the eventMark and Staff MemberI caught one!Proudly showing off the fish she caught. Relaxing in the SunFish on MarkBass Pro Shops Pro Staff Capt. Bill Watts

Every day is Veteran’s Day

Today we celebrate the sacrifices made by Veterans. But do we really understand the sacrifice? Can it really be summed up in one day of remembrance?

How do we console the family members who do not get to see their beloved Veterans anymore? How do we make up for missed births, birthdays, dance recitals, swimming competitions, school debates, anniversaries, and so much more? What about the first steps or first words of a baby? How do we only remember for one day that we are losing more than 22 veterans per day? How do we count the days of a soldier who has not been found or returned home?

Can we really celebrate for one day the daily pain many Veterans face due to their unwavering service to our country? Agent Orange and burn pit side effects, lost limbs, and mental health does not rest for 364 days until the next Veteran’s Day.

As we honor our Veteran heroes, we must not honor them for only one day. We must honor the never-ending pain and struggles they confront daily.

No Veteran Left Behind, Conflict, Does Not End on the Battlefield!

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