Blog

Dr. Gloria Lewis -Suicide Prevention Coordinator of the Miami VA Hospital Retires.

Vet Info Founder Bill Watts paid heartfelt tribute to Dr. Gloria Lewis of the Miami VA Hospital, honoring her decades of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our nation’s Veterans. Dr. Lewis will be deeply missed by her colleagues, and most especially by the Veterans whose lives she touched with compassion, integrity, and care.

To view photos from the celebration, visit the 2025 Gallery. Highlights from the retirement ceremony are also available on the Vet Info Video Channel on YouTube..

Public Statement from the Board of Directors’ Secretary of Vet Info, Inc.

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.

Vet Info reaches a Major Milestone with over 100,000 unique site visits.

In the first week of June 2025, Vet Info hit a powerful milestone — over 100,000 unique visits to our website in a relatively short time! This surge isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of a growing community committed to one mission: improving the lives of U.S. Service Members and Veterans, both Active-Duty and retired.

Since launching in 2020, Vet Info has connected with over 10,000 Veterans, Active-Duty members, families, and supporters. What makes this even more meaningful? We’re a 100% volunteer-run initiative — no major corporate funding, no flashy overhead — just real people giving their time, energy, and sometimes their own money to make a difference.

We’re not here to claim we’re the biggest. We’re here because 22 Veterans a day is a number we refuse to accept. Suicide prevention and intervention aren’t side projects for us — they’re at the heart of everything we do.

Our leadership and volunteers are on the front lines of support, working daily to bring hope, help, and healing to those who’ve served. Every visit, every message, every conversation could be the one that changes — or even saves — a life.

This is more than traffic. This is momentum. And we’re just getting started.

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


Memorial Day: A Day to Honor, Not Celebrate

Honoring the Fallen: The True Purpose of Memorial Day On the last Monday of May, Americans across the country pause to recognize Memorial Day. While many mark it with gatherings, food, and time off, it is important to remember that this day was never intended to be a celebration.

Memorial Day is a day of mourning, not a holiday. It is a time to honor the men and women who died in service to the United States. These individuals made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Their lives were not lost for leisure or commerce. They were lost in the name of duty, honor, and country.

The Misconception of “Happy Memorial Day”

The phrase “Happy Memorial Day” is commonly used, but it is not appropriate. While well-meaning, it misrepresents the solemn nature of the day.

Memorial Day is not a festive occasion. It is a day of reflection and remembrance. Using the word “happy” diminishes the weight of the sacrifice made by those we are honoring. Imagine attending a funeral and hearing someone say “Happy Funeral.” It would feel disconnected and insensitive. The same applies here.

This Day Is Not About Barbecues or Boats

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the freedoms afforded to us. However, Memorial Day should begin with gratitude and reflection. Before lighting a grill or heading to the lake, take a moment to remember the reason the day exists.

It is not about sales, parties, or long weekends. It is about the soldiers who never made it home. It is about the empty chairs at dinner tables. It is about the folded flags handed to grieving families. And it is about remembering that our freedom has a price.

How to Honor Memorial Day with Purpose

If you are unsure how to properly observe Memorial Day, consider the following:

  • Visit a local cemetery or war memorial and pay your respects.
  • Attend a Memorial Day ceremony in your community.
  • Take a moment of silence at 3:00 PM during the National Moment of Remembrance.
  • Read about the life of a fallen soldier and share their story.
  • Teach your children about the significance of the day.

These are simple but powerful ways to show respect for those who gave everything.

City of Doral Veteran’s Park Memorial Day Ceremony.

A yearly celebration of veterans, the City of Doral, THe City of Doral Military Advisory Board and Vet Info place a wreath in memory of the fallen.

Mourning, Reflection, and Hope

Although Memorial Day is a day of mourning, it also holds a message of hope. It reminds us that we live in a country where people are willing to defend others, even at the cost of their lives. That kind of courage and selflessness should not only be remembered but should also inspire us to live lives of integrity, gratitude, and service.

Final Thought

Let us not forget that freedom is never free. It is paid for with the lives of the brave. On this Memorial Day, may we reflect with dignity, speak with reverence, and act with purpose.

To the fallen, we owe more than words. We owe remembrance.

#MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #RememberAndReflect #MemorialDay2025 #NeverForget #SacrificeAndService #InRemembrance #FreedomIsNotFree #MemorialDayTribute #FallenHeroes #MarkPinilla

Miami VA Hospital B.A.R.C. Program – Building Awareness and Resilience Through Canines.

Download the flyer and application for this new program at the Miami VA Hospital. All Contact information is found on the Flyer.