Windy with showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 73F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

A mostly clear sky. Near record low temperatures. Low around 30F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

The Veterans Appreciation Week Ad Hoc Coordinating Committee will conduct its monthly coordination meeting for Citrus County’s 30th annual Veterans Appreciation Week at 1:30 p.m. March 16 in the Conference Room of the Citrus County Chronicle Building, 1624 N. Meadowcrest Blvd., Crystal River.

All veteran service organizations and civic groups are encouraged to send representatives to participate in the planning process. All interested individuals are also welcome to attend.

For more information and updates, visit veteransofcitruscounty.com.

Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) will conduct its bimonthly meeting at 1 p.m. on March 15 at the Property Appraiser Meadowcrest Office, Suite 400, 1540 Meadowcrest Blvd., Crystal River. The meeting will feature the installation of officers for 2022-23.

All combat wounded veterans, as well as parents, lineal descendants, spouses and siblings of living or deceased Purple Heart recipients are invited to attend the meeting and to become a Chapter 776 member.

To learn more, visit the Chapter 776 website at citruspurpleheart.org or call 352-382-3847.

The VFW Post 4337, 906 State Road 44 East, Inverness, invites all members and guests to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration Thursday, March 17.

A dinner of corned beef and cabbage will be served from 4-7 p.m. and live entertainment will be provided by Solid Gold from 6- 9 p.m.

This is a nonsmoking post.

For more information, call 352-344-3495.

American Legion S.A.L. Unit of Allan Rawls Post 77 will serve a St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner with potatoes, dinner roll and dessert for $10 on March 17.

All are invited. The post is at is 4375 S. Little Al Point, Inverness. Call 352-726-0444.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 15-1 of Crystal River invites local citizens to consider joining the Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary is an all-volunteer branch of the U.S. Coast Guard. Prospective members must be U.S. citizens, be able to pass a background check, should be interested in helping spread the word in our community about safe boating practices, participate in unit activities, assist the Coast Guard with a variety of missions – some on land and some on the water.

In addition, members must have access to a computer and be willing to complete necessary training to achieve and maintain membership.

The unit meets each month on the first Monday at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Melissa at melissafrank2021@gmail.

For the second year in a row, the Citrus County Veterans Coalition (CCVC) made a $3,000 scholarship available to the Withlacoochee Technical College (WTC). WTC distributes these funds to veterans who attend classes there.

The funds may be used for the purchase of books, manuals, tools of the trade or uniforms. Veterans can receive grants through the VA for course tuition, but incur many other expenses in the course of their education. These funds are specifically intended to ease the financial hardships of veterans in their continuing education.

To access the available funds, veterans should contact the financial aid coordinator at WTC. For additional assistance, call Bob Bendle, CCVC scholarship officer, at 352-400-8952.

Female Veterans Network (FVN) invites all female veterans to their monthly meeting at 1 p.m. the second Thursday monthly at the Citrus County Resource Center on 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court in Lecanto. The meeting is held in the cafeteria.

Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

The mission of the (FVN) is to unite female veterans, develop camaraderie and discuss issues that are important and unique to female veterans. For information or to support FVN, contact Cynthia at 352-628-6481, Jo Monty at 352-527-6575 or visit femaleveteransnetwork.org.

The public is invited to American Legion Post 155 for breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. every Sunday at 6585 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Crystal River.

The Female Veterans Network is selling pins for $5 at Mac 1 Signs Inc., 7068 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd. in Homosassa.

For information, call 352-628-3246.

The Citrus County Veterans Coalition continues to serve the needs of veterans and their families at its food pantry, on every Tuesday, and on the first and third Thursdays of every month, from 9 a.m. until noon. Our pantry is at 1039 N. Paul St. just off Independence and U.S. 41 N., Inverness. For more information, call 352-400-8952.

We are no longer accepting donated clothes, or article for sale, for the yard sale. Cash donations or nonperishable food goods will still be accepted, during the pantry open hours. Corporate sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

For information, call 352-400-8952 or visit www.veterans-coalition.com.

In addition to existing clients at the Citrus County Veterans Coalition (CCVC), the coalition accepts any veteran who now may be unemployed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Also, any veteran whose financial situation has changed is also invited to attend the CCVC food pantry for assistance.

A DD-214 certificate or other proof of honorable discharge must be shown to qualify for assistance.

The CCVC pantry is at 1081 N. Paul Drive, Inverness, and is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday, and the first and third Thursdays monthly.

For information, call 352-400-8952.

Veterans dog tags now being made at the Beverly Hills American Legion Post 237 at 6726 N. Lecanto Highway.

These are the genuine notched and un-notched type tags as were issued. Chains and silencers also in stock. Custom-made tags for any purpose, veterans, pets, luggage, etc.

Call the post at 352-897-4776 to make an appointment. Proceeds go to Post 237 veterans programs.

The Crystal River American Legion Post 155 hosts a breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. every Sunday, at American Legion Post 155, 6585 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway, Crystal River, for an $8 donation. The proceeds from these meals support the Legion programs, veterans and community. All are welcome. Information: 352-795-6526.

Do you have a few hours during the week to drive a Citrus County veteran to much-needed services?

Volunteer drivers are desperately needed to drive veterans to appointments at the Gainesville Veterans’ Administration Medical Center (VAMC) and to the Villages Out Patient Clinic (OPC).

Drivers volunteer on an on-call basis, one to three times a week. Volunteers will receive a free physical examination at the Gainesville VAMC, lunch the day they drive and participate in the awards program for miles driven.

There is an application process for potential volunteers and a Veterans’ Administration (VA) identification badge will be provided. Fingerprinting and proof of driver’s license and vehicle insurance will need to be provided to participate.

For information on this volunteer opportunity, call 352-746-8005.

The Lecanto Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic is accepting enrollment applications for eligible veterans. Primary Care and Mental Health access is available.

Call 352-746-8004 or visit in person at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto, to apply.

DAV Auxiliary Unit 70 in Inverness is coordinating a “Sweats for Vets” drive, collecting new sweatshirts and pants. These will be donated to VA hospitals and nursing homes for recovering veterans and those in rehabilitation. When you go shopping, remember a vet and put a new sweatsuit in your cart — any size or color. Please, do not drop off used clothing.

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the DAV chapter hall at the corner of Independence Highway and North Paul Drive, Inverness near the pink elephant on U.S. 41; or call Sunny Hayes, auxiliary commander, at 352-527-3395; or Ann Fair, senior vice commander, at 352-249-7827 to make other arrangements.

Business offering a discount to female veterans for services or goods can now be listed on the website of the Female Veterans Network.

Send your business information, what you are willing to offer as a discount, and a contact name to cynthia@femaleveteransnetwork.org, and list the subject as: offering discount.

Want to be a member and support Female Veterans Network? Go to femaleveteransnetwork.org for membership information or to make a donation to support the group’s projects.

Scheduled appointments and walk-in clients at the Citrus County Veterans Service Office will be seen from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Anyone wishing to meet with a service officer between 4 and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday should call to make an appointment, as walk-ins will not be accepted during these hours.

For information, call the Veterans Service Office directly at 352-527-5915.

Benefits have been extended from August 1953 to December 1987 for former residents of Camp Lejeune.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, may have been exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene and other chemicals.

Veterans, and non-veterans, who served (lived) at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, may be eligible for cost-free medical care through Veterans Affairs (VA) for a variety of health conditions. Contact a Veteran Service Officer for details or to file a claim.

Veterans must still meet the criteria of a veteran – minimum service time, character of discharge, serving in the active-duty military, naval or sea service.

Flags are being sold to generate funds to help maintain the Old Homosassa Veterans Memorial on Yulee Drive (across from Homosassa Elementary school).

For $20, get an embroidered, made in the U.S., 3-foot by 5-foot flag, of all-weather nylon material. POW/MIA flags are available for $20. Places to buy flags include:

Kane’s Ace Hardware, 352-628-3566.

Badcock Home Furniture, 352-795-5346.

Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 352-628-0914.

American Legion Post 166, 352-247-1353.

For flag orders, call Mark at 352-212-9359.

Purple Heart recipients are also sought to be honored with centerpieces with their names on them at the Old Homosassa Veterans’ Memorial. Call Shona Cook at 352-422-8092.

The Citrus County Veterans Services Division is compiling a list of local businesses that offer discounts to veterans. Those with local businesses who would like to have their discount information included on a list are asked to call 352-527-5915 with a contact phone number, amount/type of discount and required proof of veteran status.

The Veterans Service Office provides guidance and assistance to veterans and their families to assist with navigation through state and federal VA systems and participate in coordination with local charitable organizations and businesses to ensure veterans and their families are receiving as much assistance as possible from the local community. Call the Veterans Service Office at 352-527-5915 or visit www.citrusbocc.com.

Ex-military and retired military are needed to assist the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in helping the Coast Guard with non-military and non-law enforcement programs. These programs include public education, vessel safety checks, safety patrols and search and rescue, maritime security and environmental protection.

Wear the auxiliary uniform and your military ribbons with pride. A criminal background check and membership are required. Email Melissa at melissafrank@gmail.com.

HPH Hospice, as a partnering agency with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides tailored care for veterans and their families.

The program is provided in private homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and staff is trained to provide Hospice care specific to illnesses and conditions unique to each military era or war. It also provides caregiver education and a recognition program to honor veterans’ services and sacrifices. HPH Hospice care and programs do not affect veterans’ benefits. Call the Citrus Team Office at 352-527-4600.

VITAS Healthcare offers volunteer opportunities for veterans who are interested in helping support veteran hospice patients and their families. VITAS Healthcare veteran volunteers bring military experiences and cultural bond to their hospice work and offer the outstanding ability to relate and connect with veteran patients and their families.

As a partner of the We Honor Veterans program, the interdisciplinary team at VITAS Healthcare acknowledges the service of veterans in its care by honoring their unique needs and wishes and by providing programs and services that honor and support.

Call the volunteer department at 352-527-2020 or 866-642-0962.

Yoga teacher Ann Sandstrom is associated with the national service organization, Yoga For Vets. She teaches free classes to combat veterans at several locations and times. Call Sandstrom at 352-382-7397.

Veterans Notes are only for special events that are open to the public. To find out about regularly scheduled post activities that welcome the public during the week, including entertainment and menus, call the post. For information about post members-only activities, call the individual posts for a schedule. Call the individual posts regarding meeting times and dates. Contributed notices must be submitted by Wednesday afternoon before publication the following Sunday.

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