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Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. It is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
The 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.
This year, join us in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging. Here are some ways you can participate:
-Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being.
-Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
-Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships.
-Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts.
-Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits.
Lastly, please encourage any senior to join the City of West Park’s Senior Citizen Program. For more information, please call 954.998.9745
For a long time, Memorial Day seemed at risk of becoming just another day off work. A reason to have a picnic or barbecue. A day to go to the beach or pool. Or, the beginning of summer vacation.
But in recent years a new awareness of the sacrifices our military members are making is emerging, becoming an ingrained part of our American experience.
The men and women who died for our freedom represent the diverse patchwork that is the United States of America. They were rich and poor; Black and white; male and female. They were from cities and suburbs. They came from every ethnicity, background and political spectrum. In short, they looked like anyone of us. Their one common characteristic is that they all took an oath to die for America if called upon.
We can ensure that the memories of these heroes and their sacrifices are not in vain. We can ensure that future generations understand the importance of service, sacrifice, and honor. We can ensure through our own community service that our country remains strong, free and prosperous.
We cannot forget. Whether it’s an hour ago or a century ago, we remember. We honor the heroes of all wars, not just on Memorial Day, but through our daily commitment to ensure that America remains a place worthy of such sacrifice.
Today, we are dedicated to continuing the work of those who have gone before us. So let us take this time to remember and honor the men and women who have given their lives for this great country. Let us reflect on their courage, their sacrifice and their dedication to a cause greater than themselves. And let us recommit ourselves to the cause of freedom, justice and democracy, so that the legacy of our fallen heroes will live on for generations to come. We continue to mourn their loss, but most of all, we celebrate their lives. Thank you, God bless America and God bless our very own VFW Post 8195 and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Happy Mother’s Day! We celebrate the true unsung heroes in our lives who should be celebrated every day, our Mothers.
Especially during these unprecedented times, when for many of our mothers, the true labors of love have fallen almost squarely upon their shoulders.
In addition to their own responsibilities, many of our mothers are or have become sole providers, full care givers, home educators, full time playmates and companions, all while doing all they can to keep their families safe, nurtured, loved, secured, protected, calm, “normal”, and their homes stable and peaceful. It is not easy.
For all of our mothers who we have sadly lost, today we remember and thank you all too for giving us the strength, courage, and fortitude to carry on with you in our hearts. May the painful emptiness and loss that many of us feel today be comforted in the knowledge that a mother’s love is eternal and with us always.
For those who have been estranged, and those whose motherhood journey may have been a far more difficult path to follow, we are thinking of you today too.
Today, especially during these unprecedented times, not being able to see or hug many of our loved ones will be unbearable. Hopefully soon this will all pass, and we can celebrate reunions. We will get through this.
The burdens and sacrifices you have been making will never be fully repaid but know we will always be eternally grateful for your selfless good work. Without you, we would never be able to get through any of this.
To all of our moms, thank you for all you do and for all you have been doing to help keep everything together, which helps us get through all this, helping to keep us all together. We thank you!
Happy Father’s Day! On this Father’s Day, we want to acknowledge and pay tribute to all of the West Park superhero fathers and father figures whose protection, strength, wisdom, courage, bravery and most importantly, love, are catalysts for the upward mobility of our children, community and for humanity!
A father should be the one you think of first when you have a question about something or when you just need some support and good advice. Fathers are always there with the love and guidance you need.
A father is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed and has faith in you even when you fail.
The older we get the more we realize how important it is to have a father who provides stability, love, and guidance in our lives. A father is their children’s “Hero”.
On this Father’s Day, let us also remember our Dads who are no longer with us, who are resting in God’s loving care. They left beautiful memories. Their love is still our guide, even though you cannot see him, he is always by your side. You have an angel watching over you and you call him DAD.
What a good gift – your “Dad!” Happy Father’s Day West Park. May your day be filled with family happiness and love.
We have a lot to celebrate! When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join in strengthening our community – we are #OneWestPark.
Remember to contact me at City Hall with your ideas, suggestions or concerns. I represent you and appreciate your input into the continued success of our beloved city. I can be reached at (954) 329-8990 or email: fbrunson@cityofwestpark.org.
