National Veteran and Military Family Month
Issue No. 007 - November 2025
Thank You Veterans and Military Families
Service members do not serve alone. Behind our Service Members are dedicated and supportive family members anticipating their return.
November is National Veteran and Military Family Month. Every family is unique. Some families are composed of immediate family members, others also include caretakes, partners, close friends, etc. These family members, in the same vein should be recognized and celebrated for the sacrifices they make alongside their Service Member.
Military Life and Spouses/Partners
Military life can take its toll not just on Service Members but also military spouses/partners. Military spouses/partners are faced with their own set obstacles. Obstacles such as disruption is their career, disruption in their social circle, finding new housing, searching for childcare, holding down the fort until their loved one comes home.
Military Life and Children
Military life is demanding enough on Service Members, and the impact it has on military children offers its own unique challenges. Challenges such as moving frequently, adjusting to new schools, making new friends, prolonged periods of separation from their parents.
Challenges Facing Military Families
One of the greatest challenges a military family can face is the emotional toll of deployment. According to the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs, family members can have a range of feelings such as worry, loneliness, feeling overwhelmed, fear for their Service Member’s safety.
The Importance of Military Family Month
Being so close to the holidays, where we celebrate our own families, this annual observance offers each of us a time of reflection about the sacrifices military families make. The effects of military life go beyond the brave men and women in uniform, it also impacts their families. It is a time to honor and appreciate the strength of our all-military men and women and the devotion of their families.
2025 Coffee4VETS Toy Drive
Tis the season of giving and Coffee4EVTS is asking for your help to bring holiday cheer to the military families at Edwards Air Force Base.
We are hosting a toy drive that will benefit the kids at Edwards AFB. From November 1 – December 11 there will be toy collection boxes at several locations where you can drop off an unwrapped toy (worth $15/above).
With your help, we can ensure the children at Edwards AFB have a Christmas to remember.
Coffee4VETS would like to say Thank You to our Sponsors:
Crazy Otto’s, Bravery Brewing Co., Ventura Graphix, Envision Surgery Center, Ventura Graphix, The Open Casket, Bravery Brewing Co., AV Eye Care, Knights of Columbus.
Vet Talk
Vet Talk is the brainchild of Juan Blanco, Coffee4VETS’ founder and president. Juan started Vet Talk during the pandemic as a way to help veterans work through the difficulties of being isolated, sheltering at home, and social distancing. Vet Talk became crucial in keeping the veteran community connected.
In continuing with the same spirit of keeping the veteran community connected. Vet Talk is being relaunched. The series will feature 1 monthly question answered by our Veteran community. The monthly question will cover a broad scope of topics, ranging from their lives before, during, and after service.
A special Thank You to E-4 Marc Aronoff, U.S Air Force (Retired), SGT. John Graves, U.S Marine Corps (Retired), and Sgt. E-4 Keleen Whighten, U.S Air Force (Retired) for your service and for taking the time to answer this month’s question.
This month’s question is: How did you family celebrate your homecoming?
"Wow. How did they celebrate my homecoming ... You're making me think because it was 1978 ... They welcomed me home with open arms, I was very fortunate. I'm a Viet Nam Veteran and we were not well received coming home a lot of times...I was very fortunate that my mom, my sisters and my girlfriend at the time - they welcomed me back.
I was a state's side Veteran. I did not have to go over to Viet Nam because I was 17 - my mom actual signed me in. I was welcomed with open arms ... My mother was very afraid that I was going to have to go over. But they stopped sending troops over since July of '74. So, I didn't have to. I just graduated high school ...
I was welcomed by my family ... I know we threw a little party when I got out of the service. My sisters were there, my stepfather was there, and my girlfriend was there, my mom was there, my aunt and uncle came ... My grandmother couldn't make it - she wasn't doing well, so she couldn't make it. We had a really good time.
We celebrated the fact that I got to serve my country. That was something I was very proud of ... It didn't really settle in until after I got out of the service - how proud I was that I got to serve my country on my own terms. I got to be a part of something that was much bigger than me.
U.S Air Force: Feb. 1974 - Apr. 1978
" I'm from Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky. So, they just welcomed me home. It really wasn't ... I guess coming back from Viet Nam ... when I came back there was no big welcome. I don't ever remember that ... My mother had 11 kids. Even when I left to go to Viet Nam, I told her I was headed to Viet Nam she ... at her age she didn't think much of it. There wasn't much attention to it.
When I came back, I just came home. I went got a job driving Greyhound buses. I drove Greyhound for 20 years. I did 8 years in the Marines.
But coming home was no big deal. Got out of the service and came home and found a job. It was really a big thing back when I got out. I went in in December of '69 Parris Island. When I got out, I was in Camp Pendleton. I was an instructor when guys got out of boot camp, I would give them the infantry training school. I was a mortarman instructor.
Like I said when I went home, I just went home.
U.S Marine Corps: Dec. 1969 - Mar. 1978
" We had a really nice dinner. Cousins, all relatives came.
I was in the military 7 years and 2 months. It was Desert Storm - Desert Shield Era. I was stationed in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. It was pretty exciting ... I am a retired teacher; I would always talk to the students about when the Berlin Wall came down.
After my service I got my bachelor's degree, went back for my credentials. Then I taught in the Lancaster School District 23 years. I'm still in contact with the students that I taught. When I retired from teaching my student that I had in 6th grade was the official photographer for the retirement party. He did a wonderful job.
U.S Air Force: May 1958 - Aug. 1992
President's Message
Welcome everyone to November 2025.
As we start off the month, I want to extend our most sincere appreciation to all our armed service members who through no fault of they own are now meant to go without pay for an indefinite number of days due to this government shut down. For them, a joyous time it isn’t. We say thank you and we appreciate all you do and we in turn will assist however we can to get through these trying times.
With Halloween behind us, this month is seeing many activities.
November 1st Coffee4VETS celebration of the 250th anniversary of our first branches of service Army, Navy and Marine Corps formed back in 1775. We will host our 250th event at the Bravery Brewery in Lancaster California with special attention to the Marine Corps Birthday at 3pm.
November 1st begins C4V toy drive to benefit the kids at Edwards AFB thru December 7th
November 5th 5:30pm the Edwards Air Force Base Civilian-Military Support Group will also host at the Bravery Brewery their installation of new board members and officers to be sworn in by Palmdale Mayor Pro /Tem Bettencourt. The installation will also act as a fund raiser in support of the airmen and their families at Edwards AFB during the government shut down.
The Bravery is located at 42705 8th Street West, Lancaster, CA. 93534.
November 7th 8am Tamarisk Elementary School Salute to Veterans 1843 East Ave Q-5 Palmdale, CA. 93550
November 7th 3pm Carl Wheeler’s Memorial Service at Grace Chapel 44648 15th Street West, Lancaster, CA. 93534
November 8th 11am the Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall to be displayed for its final time at Marie Karr Park Amphitheatre until the 12th at 8pm
November 8th 4pm Opening ceremony for the veteran’s holiday.
The Amphitheater is located at 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale, CA. 93551
November 8th 6pm AV BOGA, Military Ball at the Hellenic Center in Lancaster, CA. 43404 30th Street West Lancaster, CA. 93536.
November 10th 8am the Veterans Information Center honor the Maine Corps Birthday at the American Legion Post 348, 44355 40th St East, Lancaster, CA. 93535
November 10th 8am Lancaster Cemetery placing flags on veterans’ grave sites
November 11th Veterans Day,
7:30am Coffee4VETS will also celebrate our Marines on Tuesday Morning at the Crazy Ottos Dinner located at 1228 West Avenue I, Lancaster, CA., Lancaster, CA.9.534
10am: Lancaster Cemetery will have a ceremony honoring our fallen heroes located at 111 East Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster CA. 93535
11:11am: Veterans Day Ceremony, Marie Kerr Park Palmdale at the Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall remembering all those who came before in WW I, WW II, Korea and Vietnam wars.
5pm Marine Corps Birthday Celebration at the Bravery Brewery 42705 8th Street West, Lancaster, CA. 93534.
November 15th Saturday
9am VPAN Final Salute program at the Highlands Church 39625 20th Street West Palmdale, CA. 93551
12pm VFW Post 3552 will host Edwards AFB Veterans Appreciation Day 39463 10th Street East Palmdal, CA. 93550
6pm Marine Corps League Det. 930 will host their Patriotic Ball at the Venue Banquet Hall 2733 West Ave L, Lancaster CA. 93536
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and to be with family and loved ones, but as you may know, our brave war fighters may be stationed far from home and many veterans will be without family nearby, so wherever they may be, I wish them all a safe and happy Thanksgiving. For our families at home, thank you for your service and enjoy this holiday season.
From our family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Our Moto: “Honoring Our Veterans of Yesterday Who Secured Our Today.”
Our Purpose: Pride of Service
Highlight of The Month
October 2025
The 250th Anniversary US. Navy, US Army and Marine Corps Dinner Celebration
Presented by Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Chapter #355 Santa Clarita and Coffee4VETS, Inc., Antelope Valley & Santa Clarita. The event was hosted at the Santa Clarita Senior Center, Santa Clarita. Commitment to Freedom.
Save the Date
We Invite You to Join Us
Join us for our weekly Coffee4VETS event! Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy FREE coffee and 1/2 off breakfast!
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 7 A.M – 9 A.M
Supporting Active-Duty Airmen at Edwards Air Force Base in coming weeks will be collecting unwrapped toys.
When: November 1st – December 11th
Where: Several Locations
Thank You to our AMAZING SPONSORS!
Toy Box Locations Below:
42705 8th Street West, Lancaster CA 93534
18540 E Telegraph Rd. Santa Paula, CA 93060
1228 W Avenue I, Lancaster CA 93534
918 East Palmdale Blvd, Palmdale, CA
848 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93534
42543 8th St. W Lancaster, CA 93534
250th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 3 P.M – 6 P.M
Where: Bravery Brewing Co. 42705 8th Street West, Lancaster CA 93534
EAFB Civ-Mil Support Group Installation
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 5:30 P.M –
Where: Bravery Brewing Co. 42705 8th Street West, Lancaster CA 93534
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 8 A.M – 3 P.M
Where: Division Street Dental 868 Auto Center Dr Ste D, Palmdale, CA 93551
16th Anniversary Opening Ceremony
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 4 P.M
Candlelight Ceremony
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
Time: 8 P.M
Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Tuesday , November 11, 2025
Time: 11 A.M
TAPS
Date: Nightly
Time: 9 P.M
Where: 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd.
The AV Wall will be retired after this display.
BOGA Military Ball
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 6 P.M
Where: Hellenic Center 43404 30th W. Lancaster, CA 93536
Happy Birthday
A Very Happy Birthday from Coffee4VETS!
November observances
Mark Your Calendars
National Veterans & Military Family
Warrior Care Month
National Veterans Small Business Week
Marine Corps Birthday
Veterans Day
Armistice Day
Thanksgiving Day
Coffee4VETS, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that operates by the generous donations from individuals and other non-profit organizations. Thank you for visiting our page.
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