“Jacksonville is a military city with a proud tradition of honoring the service of our strong and growing veteran and military communities,” said Mayor Curry. “The Week of Valor expands our gratitude beyond Veterans Day, into a series of events throughout November that show our gratitude and support for the men and women who currently or previously served our nation.”

The 2015 Week of Valor includes a wide variety of educational, patriotic, community and civic activities, all focused on demonstrating Jacksonville’s deep appreciation and respect for service men and women in the United States Armed Forces. The week also provides the community with an opportunity to come together to address challenges faced by local veterans with events such as the Military and Veterans Job and Resource Fair and Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Summit.

Included in this year’s celebration is a ceremony recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall, the largest granite memorial wall outside of Washington D.C., honoring local service members who have fallen in the line of duty.

The fourth annual Week of Valor Military and Veterans Job and Resource Fair is Thursday, Nov. 12 at Kingdom Plaza at Normandy Mall, 5310 Lenox Ave. Employers and resource providers will be on-hand with job opportunities and career assistance for veterans, active duty military, and eligible family members.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the City of Jacksonville’s annual Veterans Day Parade will take place in Downtown Jacksonville. The parade will begin at EverBank Field at 11:01 a.m. and proceed west on Bay Street to the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

The Grand Marshal for this year’s parade is retired Major General Michael D. Healey, United States Army. General Healy was the inspiration for the John Wayne movie “The Green Berets.” General Healy, or “Iron Mike” as he is known in the Special Forces community, served with valor during five tours in Vietnam. He was recognized with the Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment Award. During his 35-year career, Major General Healy was the recipient of three Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Bronze Stars with Valor, two Purple Hearts and many more awards.

A full schedule of events is provided below and online at www.coj.net/MilitaryAffairs.

2015 Week of Valor Events

SATURDAY, NOV. 7

“Remembering Our Fallen” Traveling Photo Exhibit Opening Ceremony

10 a.m., Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 N. Main Street | Point of contact (POC): Ken Johnson, kenjohns@coj.net

Jacksonville University Military Appreciation Football Game

1 p.m., D.B. Milne Field, Jacksonville University | POC: Ken Johnson, kenjohns@coj.net

SUNDAY, NOV. 8

Salute to Veterans 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run: Presented by CHASE

8 a.m., Jacksonville Landing | POC: Joe Snowberger, jointhecrew@USSAdams.com, http://www.1stplacesports.com/salute.html

MONDAY, NOV. 9 – FRIDAY, NOV. 13

Active Duty Military and Veteran School Visits

9 a.m.-1 p.m., Duval County Public Schools | POC: Harrison Conyers, hconyers@coj.net

TUESDAY, NOV. 10

Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Summit

9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Legends Center, 5054 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville | POC: Ebony Benjamin, ebony.benjamin@va.gov  904-475-6065

Florida Paychecks for Patriots: Hiring Fair

10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Florida National Guard Armory, 9900 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville | POC: P4P@careersourcenefl.com | Event flyer

Semper Fidelis Society Observance

4:30 p.m., Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 N. Main Street, Jacksonville | POC: Robert Adelhelm, adelhelm0302@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 - VETERANS DAY

Veterans Day Parade

11:01 a.m., starts in EverBank Field Parking Lot | POC: City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events, events@coj.net

THURSDAY, NOV. 12

4th Annual Week of Valor Military and Veterans Job and Resource Fair

10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kingdom Plaza at Normandy Mall, 5310 Lenox Avenue, Jacksonville | POC: Ken Johnson, kenjohns@coj.net

FRIDAY, NOV. 13

University Of North Florida Documentary “Korea-The Forgotten War”

Arrival and lite reception at 6:30 p.m, program starts at 7 p.m., University of North Florida, UNF Recital Hall | POC: Ken Johnson, kenjohns@coj.net

MONDAY, NOV. 16

JAX Chamber Military Appreciation Luncheon

12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Registration at 11:30 a.m.), Hyatt Regency | POC: Darby Carson, darby.carson@myjaxchamber.com, (904) 366-6600 x 7787.

University Of North Florida Military Appreciation Basketball Game

7 p.m., UNF Arena | POC: Joel Lamp, jlamp@coj.net

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18

20-Year Anniversary of Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall

10 a.m., Veterans Memorial Wall | POC: Ken Johnson, kenjohns@coj.net  / Ashley Rogan arogan@coj.net

THURSDAY, NOV. 19

Jacksonville Jaguars Military Appreciation Football Game

8:25 p.m., EverBank Field | POC: ticketing@jaguars.com   

FRIDAY, NOV. 20 - SATURDAY, NOV. 21

Veterans Writing Project

9 a.m., Jacksonville Public Library, Main Branch | POC: Ashley Rogan arogan@coj.net