More than 3,500 people from 40 states are expected to attend Westgate Military Weekend Friday through Sunday.
Westgate CEO David Siegel started the company tradition of honoring U.S. military personnel and their families six years ago. The complimentary vacations are part of a weekend-long celebration for current active duty military who have served in combat and their families as well as Gold Star Families at Westgate Town Center Resort.
“We are proud to host a special weekend for the men and women who have served our country,” said Siegel, who is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “We wanted to offer a weekend filled with activities designed to honor their service and allow them to have fun together as a family.”
Guests receive complimentary resort accommodations and free admission to Westgate’s Ship Wreck Island water park. Attendees can also access more than a dozen services that support military families and veterans during a Military Resource Fair. The organizations include: Mission United, which enables military veterans and their families to successfully acclimate from active duty to civilian life,; Camaraderie Foundation provides healing for the invisible wounds of war such as PTSD and The Mission Continues empowers veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact.
The weekend ends with an exclusive concert featuring Grammy Award-winning country music artist Lee Greenwood, best known for singing “God Bless the USA.” During the concert, the Westgate Resorts Foundation will announce a donation to three military nonprofit organizations.
“Westgate Resorts is absolutely committed to our military, including making veteran employment a top priority,” said Chief Operating Officer Mark Waltrip, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “This special weekend is another way for us to champion our military and their families.”
Westgate Resorts has honored military families with more than 23,000 free room nights during the past six years.