Marine, Stetson Law student again brings Heroes Weekend to Gulfport in November to honor military, veterans

Marine and Stetson University College of Law LL.M. student Javier Centonzio, who graduated with his J.D. in May, is again coordinating a Heroes Weekend community event to honor active duty members of the military and veterans on Nov. 10-11 in Gulfport.

This year’s public events include a parade along Beach Blvd. in Gulfport, an afternoon beach volleyball benefit with music, food and drink on Gulfport Beach, and an evening musical performance at the Gulfport Casino to benefit Stetson’s new Veterans Law Institute and Paws for Patriots. The Heroes Weekend includes:

• Saturday, Nov. 10, 4 p.m.: The City of Gulfport is sponsoring a parade along Beach Blvd. led by Army Lt. Col. Kathy Champion, an Afghanistan and Iraq War veteran and Gulfport native who received a service dog from the Paws for Patriots program. The parade will head south on Beach Blvd. from the Gulfport Public Library, turn right at the Gulfport Casino onto Shore Blvd. and end at the Recreation Center. For information on participating in the parade, contact Justin Shea with the City of Gulfport at 727-893-1118 or [email protected]. The deadline to register is Nov. 8.

• Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m.: Community members are invited to a beach volleyball benefit with music, food and drink on Gulfport Beach. At 5:30 p.m., the Steel Horse Band will be performing a benefit concert at the Gulfport Casino at 5500 Shore Blvd. S. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets for the concert are available at the door and all proceeds from the ticket sales will go to charity. To purchase tickets in advance for $10, visit the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce or American Legion Post 125.

For additional event information, contact Javier Centonzio at [email protected] or call 913-706-9340.

Donations to Heroes Weekend may be mailed or delivered in person to the American Legion Post 125, 6440 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33707.

Paws for Patriots is a program designed to pair guide dogs with veterans. Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, dedicated in May, serves as a center for veteran and military scholarship, the site of Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic, and provides continuing legal education for attorneys representing veterans as well as a focal point for student veterans and their pro bono related activities.

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Post date: Oct. 24, 2012

Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
[email protected] | 727-430-1580