City of Jacksonville Kicks Off Celebration of Valor and Unveils Jaguars Foundation Grant Recipients
This morning, the City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department (MAVD) hosted a press conference to kick off the Celebration of Valor and unveil the Jaguars Foundation grant recipients.
The Celebration of Valor runs from October through mid-December and honors the service and sacrifice of Jacksonville's Veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Event highlights include the Veterans Day Parade on November 11 at 11:01 am, the Vetrepreneur 10-year anniversary Summit on December 4, and the Army Navy Watch party on December 12. It will conclude with Wreaths Across America on December 19.
“This citywide celebration reflects the deep respect and appreciation our city holds for the men and women who wear the uniform and for their families who stand beside them,” said Mayor Deegan. “It is one of the many ways we are meeting our goal – and living up to our reputation – of being the most military- and veteran-friendly city in the nation.”
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department joined this year’s press conference to announce that it will install free smoke alarms in the homes of Jacksonville veterans throughout November. To schedule a visit, call 630-CITY (2489) or visit MyJax.com.
Additionally, this year’s Jaguars Foundation grant recipients were announced publicly for the first time during the event. These grants support local organizations that serve Jacksonville's Veteran and military community.
This year’s recipients were:
- Five STAR Veterans Center, $10,000
- K9’s for Warriors, $5,000
- Operation Barnabas, $5,000
- Operation New Uniform, $10,000
- Veterans Treatment Court, $5,000
- Women Veterans Ignited, Inc., $10,000
- Florida National Guard Foundation, $5,000
- Navy League Mayport Council, $10,000
- St. Michaels Soldiers, $5,000
- Here Tomorrow, $10,000
- Jacksonville Humane Society, $10,000
- The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, $10,000
- Wounded Warrior Project, $5,000
Mayor Deegan also recognized the active-duty service members who are far away from home today: “Multiple Jacksonville-based ships and patrol squadrons are currently deployed overseas, some for extended deployments. We are keeping them in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. And we are here for the families who will have an empty chair at the dinner table this holiday season. We owe them our support and comfort.”
A full list of Celebration of Valor events appears below. If you need additional information on the program, please contact tmorales@coj.net or 904-255-5524.
2026 Celebration of Valor Event Calendar
The City of Jacksonville's Celebration of Valor features events from October through December 2026 honoring Veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. The following calendar includes event dates, times, locations and registration or contact information where available.
October 2026
Tuesday, October 13 — Faith Leadership Military Awareness & Support Training
Time: 11:30 AM–12:00 PM, Meet & Greet with Lunch; 12:00–1:30 PM, Program
Location: Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, 7011 A.C. Skinner Pkwy, Suite 155, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Contact: Alexandra Field, Clinic Director, Alexandra.field@centerstone.org
Register: Faith Leadership Military Awareness & Support Training registration
Friday, October 16 — Wounded Warrior Trunk or Treat
Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
Location: 4899 Belfort Road
Saturday–Sunday, October 17–18 — NAS JAX Air Show
Time: Gates open at 9:00 AM
Location: NAS Jacksonville (Forrest Sherman Field)
November 2026
Monday, November 2 — City of Jacksonville MAVD & Celebration of Valor / Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation Grant Press Conference
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 117 W. Duval Street, Atrium
Monday–Friday, November 2–6 — Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Display
Location: 117 W. Duval Street, Atrium
November 2–6 and November 9–13 — Smoke Alarm Installations
Contact: 630-CITY
Register: Call 904-630-CITY (2489)
Thursday, November 5 — Swings for Service Charity Golf Tournament
Time: Check-in 10:30 AM; shotgun start at noon
Location: St. Johns Golf and Country Club
Contact: craustin1979@gmail.com
Register: Swings for Service
Friday, November 6 — Veterans Flight Line Run
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Naval Station Mayport
Contact: Text 904-293-1321 for more information
Note: Base access required.
Saturday, November 7 — UNF Brain Wellness Summit
Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena – Duval Room, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202
Contact: Ronald.hasty@ufhealth.org
Saturday, November 7 — Wounded Warrior Carry It Forward 5K
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: 4899 Belfort Road
Register: Wounded Warrior Carry It Forward 5K registration
Monday, November 9 — JAX Chamber Military Appreciation Breakfast
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Contact: Alanna Luksha, Alanna.Luksha@jaxchamber.com
Tuesday, November 10 — Paychecks for Patriots
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: FSCJ Downtown Campus
Contact: jcarter@careersourcenefl.com
Tuesday, November 10 — UNF Veterans Day Tribute
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Veterans Plaza, UNF
Contact: kathryn.lee.hunt@unf.edu
Tuesday, November 10 — Marine & Navy FMF Corpsmen Memorial
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Evergreen Cemetery
Contact: jsfs.usmc@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 11 — Veterans Day Parade
Time: 11:01 AM
Location: Downtown Jacksonville
Contact: tmorales@coj.net
Friday, November 13 — Northeast Florida All Academy Charity Golf Scramble
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Queens Harbor Golf and Country Club
Contact: Chris.doerr40@gmail.com
Registration: Link to be announced.
Friday, November 13 — Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 E. Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Contact: GySgt Eric Colon, 904-696-5236
Tickets: Marine Corps Birthday Ball tickets on Eventbrite
Saturday, November 14 — Armed Forces 10K Tri-Bridge Challenge & Veteran 5K
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: USS Orleck Naval Museum, 601 E. Bay Street
Register: Armed Forces 10K Tri-Bridge Challenge & Veteran 5K registration
Saturday, November 21 — Cars with Coffee
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: The Beacon, 245 Monsoon Court, Jacksonville, FL 32228
Contact: 904-270-7198
Note: Base access required.
Sunday, November 29 — Salute to Service Game (Titans)
Time: 4:05 PM
Location: EverBank Stadium
December 2026
Friday, December 4 — Vetrepreneur Summit
Time: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: 401 W. State Street
Contact: tmorales@coj.net
Thursday, December 10 — Job Fair at Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Time: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: River Cove Community Center, Jacksonville, FL 32212
Register: Naval Air Station Jacksonville Job Fair registration
Saturday, December 12 — Army Navy Watch Party
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: To be announced.
Saturday, December 19 — Wreaths Across America
Time: Ceremony starts at 12:00 PM
Location: Jacksonville National Cemetery
Contact: Sue Nist, wreathsacrossjax@gmail.com
Date to Be Announced — Veterans Art Display in Atrium
Status: Coming soon
Contact: tmorales@coj.net
About the Military Affairs and Veterans Department
The City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department connects Veterans, service members and their families with resources, benefits and community support. Learn more at jacksonville.gov/mavd.
About the Jaguars Foundation
The Jaguars Foundation and Community Impact Department are committed to uplifting the Northeast Florida community and beyond by providing economic and equal opportunity through programs that strengthen neighborhoods and develop our youth. The Community Impact team at the Jaguars annually targets three key strategic areas of focus: neighborhood revitalization, youth development and NFL league-wide initiatives. The Jaguars and the Khan Family have always been strong supporters of our Jacksonville community and have donated $41 million since 2012 through the Jaguars Foundation in support of many worthy causes, including $1 million in support of the revitalization of Jacksonville’s historic OUTEAST neighborhood and $5 million to the construction of the new Museum of Science & History (MOSH).