DECEMBER 2024

The VMC is a Toys for Tots collection center thru Dec 19

01 Dec — NOTE:  Amphitheater and other Phase III VMC Park construction underway which will continue into Fall 2025 and result in blocking off portions of the park. JROTC, 5K and other events can still be carried out.  

01 Dec — Gold Star Family Christmas Tree installed in the VMC Museum 1400 – 1600. It will remain until 05 January 1400 hrs.  Next year the live Merritt Island Community Christmas Tree will be unveiled during illumination evening with Gold Star Families involved and adding their loved ones Stars to the tree just for that evening.

13 Dec – JROTC District Air Rifle Championship 1200- 1700 Palm Beach Jr/Sr Magnet School.   State Qualifier Meet.  

14 Dec — Wreaths Across America Day in many Brevard Locations.  The largest event is the Ceremony at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery 1000-1100.  Families of veterans resting at CCNC will have opportunities to place wreaths Friday 13 Dec afternoon 1600-1730 and before the Ceremony.   Contact Donn Weaver at 757-871-6576 for more info.  

14 Dec — JROTC District Invitational Air Rifle Meet at Palm Bay HS 0800-1200.  Support dozens of cadets from 10 or more High Schools compete at the indoor range for marksmanship team honors. 

14 Dec   EAA Chapter 724 31st Annual Merritt Island Airport Breakfast and Toys for Tots USMC drive 0830-1100.  Servant Air Ministries Hangar, 471 Manor Drive, MI.  Admission is new unwrapped toy with all toys going to Toys for Tots.  Call Don White 321-266-7410 for questions and info.  

14 Dec — Second Annual Merritt Island Holiday Tree Illumination and Celebration. VMC Plaza area 1500- 2000. Sponsored by the Community Advocacy for Merritt Island (CAMI) and Veterans Memorial Center.  Free Community Concert by PINK, Christmas Market, Food Trucks, Tree Lighting and Much More.  Special recognition for Gold Star Family Members set for 2025.  More info at ca4mi.com

15 Dec — Wreaths Across America at Pinecrest Cemetery/Brevard County Honors Veterans   1400 – 1600, 815 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.  Honors also Medal of Honor Recipient Emory Bennett, and all deceased veterans and Gold Star Families of veterans as well as First responders.  Rolling Thunder FL-1 Chapter will escort the wreaths from VMC with KSU at 1300.  Contact Dorothy Walsh for more information through the VMC.

The VMC museum and library will be closed on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and Christmas Day (Dec 25).

JANUARY 2025

The VMC museum and library will be closed on New Year’s Eve (Dec 31, 2024) and New Year’s Day (Jan 1, 2025).

11 Jan — Second Annual Stop the Traffic 5K Fundraiser, VMC PARK 0700-1200.  Organized by Edgewood HS students and parents to raise money to bring awareness and action to help stop human trafficking, a growing problem even in America.  More details in Early January. 

10-11 Jan — Palm Bay JROTC Air Rifle Commanders Cup Match, PM Friday; 0800-1200 Saturday at Palm Bay Jr/Sr HS. 

FEBRUARY 2025

Feb — Free Eighth Annual Every Day is Veterans Day Event at Space Coast Center for Collaboration 1100 Rockledge Ave, US Rte 1, Rockledge.  Celebrate veterans with food, drinks and many informational booths.   Sponsored by One Senior Place.  Call 321-251-6771 to register as a vendor or RSVP for attendance.  

01 Feb —  County wide JROTC Air Rifle Run and Shoot Competition at VMC Memorial Park. 0700-1200.  Hosted by Satellite HS JROTC.

02 Feb —  Annual Ceremony to Commemorate the Immortal Four Chaplains of WWII.  VMC Plaza 1400-1500.  Marine Corps League and VMC Sponsors and Presenters.  

15 Feb —  Annual Commemoration of the WWII Bataan Death March at VMC Park 0700-1100.  Air Force and Space Force JROTC units only come together for a long ruck March to remember this tragic chapter in American military history and reflect on the sacrifice of our prisoners of war.    

22 Feb  — JROTC District Drill Meet at VMC Park 0700-1200.  See many teams compete in Color Guard, Squad and Platoon drills. 

22 Feb —  USAF JROTC State wide Drill meet for Air/Space Force programs at Melbourne HS 0800-1300.   

MARCH 2025

08 Mar —  JROTC District Drill Meet with hundreds of cadets in competition in five events.  VMC Park 0700-1200.

15 Mar — Annual Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War Celebration at VMC Plaza.  Sponsored and staged by the Brevard Sons of the American Revolution with assistance from VMC and MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation.  Details in December 2024. 

29 March —  JROTC District Championship Drill Meet at VMC Park 0700-1300.  State Championship Qualifier.  

Please help us spread the word and advise of any new events.