Main Menu
Menu
Donation Page

MAJ Lorraine Holland, US Army (ret)

Seminole County FL

Our Seminole County Veteran Services Office Offers FREE Assistance

Mail, Special News / By

Our Seminole County Veteran Services Office offers FREE assistance with benefits claims for veterans, their eligible family, and survivor family members of deceased veterans. Note that this CVSO office is part of the Seminole County government, not the Veteran Affairs (VA).  All CSVO’s receive the same training so please see the write-up above for Orange County CVSO for a comprehensive listing of services Seminole County CVSO provides.  

Location and Office Hours of Seminole County Main Office:  

520 W. Lake Mary Blvd, Suite 102, Sanford, FL 32773. Located in the Reflections Plaza at Hidden Lakes, 1/2 mile west of 17-92  

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays — Walk-ins accepted between 8:30am-11am.  

Afternoons and Fridays by appointment only. 

On the FIRST Thursday of the month, VA Outreach Coordinator Harold Borrero-Almodovar will be in the office to assist veterans who want to enroll into the VA. 

Phone: 407-665-2347 

Email InfoVeterans@SeminoleCountyFL.gov 

Seminole County CSVO Website:  https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/community-services/veterans-services  

Seminole County website:  https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/ 

Our Seminole County Veteran Services Office Offers FREE Assistance Read More »

Orange County FL

Our Orange County Veteran Service Office Offers FREE Assistance

Special News / By

Our Orange County Veterans Service Office offers FREE assistance with benefits claims for veterans, their eligible family members, and survivor family members of deceased veterans. Note: This CVSO office is part of the Orange County government, not the Veterans Affairs (VA).  The Office also serves as the primary point of contact for residents seeking to learn about and access Veteran Resources and Services. Please note that, due to the complex nature of benefits claims, our services at this office are available on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis only.  

  

CLAIM BENEFITS 

Let us help you claim the benefits you’ve earned, including: 

  • Compensation for service-related injury/disease  
  • Medical care  
  • Vocational training  
  • Financial assistance (eligibility based on income and assets)  
  • Special benefits programs 

WHAT WE DO 

  • Assist with filing claims for benefits and appeals  
  • Counsel on currently available VA benefits 
  • Assist with obtaining military records/medals  
  • Advocate on veterans-related issues at the state and national level 
  • Referrals to other agencies 
  • Assist with benefit plan applications for retired military survivors 
  • Community outreach and educational forums on behalf of or for veterans, their families, and surviving spouses. 

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?  

  • Must be a Veteran or dependent as defined under Title 38 US Code  
  • We encourage anyone with military or veteran-related questions to contact our office for more information about our services 

Phone: 407-836-8990 

Office Hours: Call us for operating hours and details on the Veterans Services location nearest you.  Clients are seen on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis only. Main Office is located at 2100 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL  32806. Office is open 8 am – 3 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  On Wednesday, the office is open 8 am – 2 pm. They are closed every day during lunch hours, 12 pm – 1 pm.  

Orange County CVSO Offers Two Other Locations: 

Orlando VAMC – Lake Nona 

13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827 Phone 407-631-1728 or 1729 

Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8am – 3pm (closed noon -1pm for lunch).  Wednesday open 8 am – noon. 

Orlando VAMC – CBOC at Lake Baldwin 

5201 Raymond St., Orlando, FL  32803 

Schedules vary:  Please call 407-836-8990 to confirm hours and building/office location. 

Orange County CVSO Website:  https://www.ocfl.net/CommunityFamilyServices/CitizenResourceOutreach/VeteransServices.aspx   

Orange County Website: http://ocfl.net   

MARK YOUR CALENDERS -Please note that the Orange County Veterans Service Office on October 24, 2026, between 10 am – 3 pm is hosting a Resource Fair at Barnett Park, 4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808.  This event is open to ALL veterans, their family members, and surviving spouses, not just Orange Co. residents.  At the Resource Fair, we are expecting 35-40+ veteran service organizations to table and provide assistance.  For further information, email the office at ocveterans@ocfl.net and use the subject:  Orange Co. Veterans Resource Fair Inquiry, or go to www.ocfl.net/veterans  

Our Orange County Veteran Service Office Offers FREE Assistance Read More »

Lorraine Holland

President’s Message – September 2026

Mail / By

President’s Message
I hope you have made the most of your long summer days, and for those of you that traveled to cooler locations, I wish you a safe journey back to Central Florida.

We have made the tough decision to CANCEL our September 8th luncheon at the DoubleTree UCF. The Ballroom is not available on September 8th, and with the response from the email Randy sent out to Central Florida MOAA members who are not members of our Chapter, the DoubleTree restaurant could not accommodate the expected luncheon turnout. Our next luncheon will go on as planned on October 13th, 11:30am at the DoubleTree UCF.

It’s that time of year when The National Hurricane Center continuously monitors any upcoming major weather disturbances, and so please double check to make sure your hurricane plans are in place and your supply kit is well stocked! The National Hurricane Center upped the odds that two systems, one in the Gulf, and the remnants of what had been Tropical Storm Dolly, could develop. Please refer to the attached Hurricane Checklist which provides life saving tips while preparing for seasonal hurricanes.

I want to thank our Chapter members Charles Smith, Joanie Fiebrandt, Kin LaFate, Ashley Orf and Bob Brogan who volunteered at the August 21st Orlando VA Creative Art Show at Lake Nona to support of our local veteran artists. There were several hundred works of art on display, and we had over 300 visitors who had a chance to judge the artwork.

I am grateful and give many thanks to Al and Ruth Schroeder for their tireless efforts to promote our Chapter’s “Healing Through Expression” (HTE) philanthropy non-profit charity. We are very excited that VA Lake Nona has been chosen to host the 2027 and 2028 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival where the top veterans across America will be honored in over 50+ different categories! Our HTE involvement will dramatically increase, so let your voice be known if you are interested in participating in upcoming VA Recreational Therapy artistic endeavors to support this worthwhile cause.

Stay tuned to an end of the month announcement for the October 13th luncheon. And, as always, check out the Florida Council of Chapters newsletter, The Communique’, for the latest going on within the 36 MOAA Chapters in Florida. Go to www.flmoaa.org .
Cheers, Lorraine

President’s Message – September 2026 Read More »

MOAA CFC Board President

President’s Message – November 2025

Mail / By

November is one of the most rewarding months of the year for me. We all honor November 11th as Veterans Day, but with so many veteran events I would like to see all of November proclaimed as “Veteran’s Month” to adequately honor our veterans who gave their youth and lives in support of our great country! Please give an extra dose of gratitude this month to our veterans, especially when you come across veterans who proudly display their military caps and attire. I’m reminded that as we head into the holiday season, there are some who are vulnerable trying to cope with memories of those who are no longer here. Please reach out and give an extra “Buddy Check.” November is also National Family Caregivers Month. I would like to recognize our military caregivers who not only cared for their loved one while in military service, but who work tirelessly as we all advance in age to give an extra dose of TLC. Caregivers often do not recognize the signs that they too need extra support to cope with the daunting task that comes with caregiving. We have included an article for support and education so that you don’t burn yourself out. Caregivers are sometimes the last to seek help, but the first to need a helping hand.

I’d like to deviate from having a guest speaker at our Veterans Day luncheon on November 11th. It occurred to me that if you totaled up all the years of service our military members have, and the years our spouses have been right there with us, we will discover a camaraderie of mutual support that has kept our MOAA family going strong since 1959! I would like to give those that choose to speak the opportunity to take a few minutes and enlighten our lunch crowd about some of their significant experiences in the military or supporting our service member. With the uncertainty of our food challenged veterans that rely on SNAP, please consider bringing canned goods to our luncheon-I will make sure they get to our Orlando Soldiers Angels that feeds 200+ veterans and military on the 3rd Friday of the month at Lake Baldwin. I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Nov 11th, and for those of you that can’t, I thank you all for getting out of your comfort zone to serve our Nation and proudly share the title of “Veteran.”

It’s that time of year again when we need to review our Board of Directors and Chapter Leadership. Like any successful organization, we need new eyes and ears to help steer us into the future to keep our Chapter alive and vibrant. Please make yourself known at the November and December Chapter events so we can put your name forward to fill Chapter positions of leadership.
Cheers, Lorraine

President’s Message – November 2025 Read More »

MOAA CFC Board President

President’s Message – September 2025

Presidents Message / By

It’s become obvious that summer is turning the corner when we see coffee companies bringing out their fall collection that includes “pumpkin bread with cream cheese flavoring” and our grocery stores are propping up their collection of yummy snack food items to eat while watching College Football games! I’m hoping that everyone has returned from holidays away, and ready to catch-up with each other at our September 9th MOAA luncheon at the DoubleTree UCF. We have a terrific guest speaker, Army veteran Mike Kepner, the Director UCF Military Veterans and Student Success Office. Out of the 69,818 enrolled UCF students, there are well over 2,000+ veterans and family members who are enrolled in this Fall Semester. There is every reason to believe some of the veterans will re-enter military service and become our future leaders in uniform! Not a MOAA Member? We encourage anyone who is interested to attend this luncheon and connect with a huge resource for our local veterans in Central Florida. If you are eligible to join our MOAA Chapter, the first lunch is on the Chapter if you join!

Please give pause and remember the souls we lost, and the families left behind on September 11th as it marks the 24th anniversary of the tragic attack on the New York City World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes crashed.

I encourage everyone to come out and attend the City of Orlando’s September 19th, 2025, POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony that honors United States military prisoners of war and those still missing in action as part of national POW/MIA Day. Join Mayor Dyer at 10:30am in the Devos Family Room at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and hear from special guest speaker, Army Private First-Class Jessica Lynch, the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II. See below for additional information.

I thank MOAA members Angela Hong, who is the President of Central Florida Korean Association, and her husband MAJ (ret) Ron Navratil for their continued efforts to raise awareness and honor our veterans. On August 16th, in support of the 80th anniversary of the National Liberation Day of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Association highlighted the service of Lake Nona Community Living Center Korean Veteran Tech Sergeant Richard Decker. Several members from the Chapter can attest that the events honor our veterans with colorful entertainment, commodore, and delicious, authentic food that makes the events even more meaningful. Mark your calendar for their next event on October 4th; see below for more information>

Central Florida Korean Association Korean Thanksgiving event October 4th at 5pm There will be a Central Florida Korean Association Thanksgiving Korean event October 4th at 5pm and all are welcomed. There will be special recognition of any attending Korean War veterans. The event will include entertainment and a dinner provided afterwards. All activities are free and open to everyone. The event is held at the University of Florida Extension/Education Center, 6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando, FL 32812. POC is Angela Hong President Central Florida Korean Association 407-968-7474 and MOAA MAJ (ret) Ron Navratil, 321-689-2775

We are excited to announce our Healing Through Expression is hosting a Veteran Artist Showing on October 11th from 4pm-8pm at the DoubleTree Orlando East – UCF Area. The DoubleTree is located at 12125 High Tech Ave. Orlando. Typical with a high-end art showing, we will be showing off our veteran’s artwork and hearing stories about how unleashing their artistic abilities has brought to their lives. Like what you see? Support our veterans by offering to purchase their artwork! If you are looking for a great date night, along with live music, appetizers and a drink coupon will be offered to each attendee. This is also a perfect venue to bring along someone to meet our MOAA Chapter members and artists, and if eligible, become a Chapter member. Please come out and support this first of a kind event to honor the efforts of our local veteran artists!

AN APPEAL: Our current Board of Directors Secretary is Joanie Fiebrandt and she has done an outstanding job keeping our Board Minutes straight. Joanie has taken on more responsibilities in other areas to help her community, and family, and we are looking for an immediate replacement for her. It’s not a time-consuming position, but an important one that requires a presence on a Zoom Board Meeting when we have them (about every two months). The Board Members are given a detailed agenda, and the Zoom is recorded. Please give Joanie a call (954-695-5222) or email jfiebrandt@yahoo.com to gain more information – I would like to make this happen sooner rather than later to free up Joanie! And it goes without saying that I’m not disappearing from our MOAA Chapter I now sit on 10 different Veteran Councils as the MOAA representative and this is mutually exclusive from being the President. I will continue to sit on the councils, and like all organizations, we need new blood at the helm as the MOAA President for our Central Florida Chapter!!

Cheers, Lorraine

President’s Message – September 2025 Read More »

Skip to content