Brevard Veterans Coalition to Host Veterans Stand Down May 3 at Joe Lee Smith Center in Cocoa

BVC Supports and celebrates military veterans, family members, and homeless veterans

The Brevard Veterans Coalition (BVC) will celebrate its 3rd anniversary at Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Joe Lee Smith Center, 415 Stone Street, Cocoa, Florida, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Coalition supports military Veterans, family members, and homeless veterans in need of FREE resources and information, mental health, assisted living, financial, housing, legal aid, Medicare, benefits, claims, and much more.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard Veterans Coalition (BVC) will celebrate its 3rd anniversary at Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Joe Lee Smith Center, 415 Stone Street, Cocoa, Florida, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

BVC supports military Veterans, family members, and homeless Veterans in need of free resources and information, including mental health services, assisted living, financial assistance, housing support, legal aid, Medicare benefits, claims assistance, and more.

This very special event will include a free breakfast hosted by Jaime Rhude of Future Home Loans, provided by The Brunch Chic Catering and Food Truck, and coffee sponsored by Briarwood Cattle Coffee, Marvin Frink, of North Carolina.

BVC president, Rodney Greene, told me, “May 3, 2025, we stand down not to retreat, but to reach out — with gratitude, with dignity, and with open hearts for those who’ve served. No one who wore the uniform should ever be ’left behind.’”

If you would like to host a vendor booth offering Veterans services, become a sponsor, or find out more about the BVC, CLICK HERE.

PLEASE BRING A VETERAN, TELL A VETERAN, LEAVE NO MAN OR WOMAN BEHIND – BREVARD VETERANS COALITION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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