Westgate Resorts Hosts Military Families for Free Orlando Vacation

Westgate Resorts honored thousands of U.S. military, veterans, their family members, and Gold Star families (families who have lost a loved one in the service of our country) from across the nation with a free Orlando vacation at Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center Resort, May 5-7.

The Westgate Military Weekend continued a six-year tradition of Westgate Resorts and CEO David Siegel honoring U.S. military personnel and their families by giving away vacations on Veterans Day to allow our nation’s heroes to spend quality time with their families.

“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 received complimentary resort accommodations May 5 and May 6, free admission to Westgate’s Ship Wreck Island water park, and access to a military resource fair. The weekend culminated with an exclusive concert featuring Grammy Award-winning country music artist Lee Greenwood (God Bless the USA, Ring On Her Finger) at the resort.

The military resource fair offered attendees face-to-face access to more than a dozen services that support military families and veterans, including Mission United, enabling military veterans and their families to successfully acclimate from active duty to civilian life; Camaraderie Foundation, providing healing for the invisible wounds of war such as PTSD; and The Mission Continues, empowering veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact.

During the concert, the Westgate Resorts Foundation announced a donation of $15,000 each to The Camaraderie Foundation and the Veterans Memorial in Lake Nona.

“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 was another way for us to champion our military and their families.”

Nearly 3,500 guests attended the weekend, with families representing more than 40 U.S. states.

Westgate Resorts has honored our nation’s heroes with more than 23,000 free room nights provided to military families over the past six years.

This vacation opportunity was specifically for current military personnel who have served in combat, veterans who served in The War on Terror, their families, and Gold Star families. Eligible families registered online to receive the vacations.

About Westgate Resorts

Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts is one of the largest resort developers in the United States. Westgate features 28 themed destination resorts with over 13,000 luxury villas and hotel rooms in premier locations throughout the United States such as Orlando, Florida; Park City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Miami and Cocoa Beach, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi. Most Westgate Resorts locations feature a variety of unique restaurant, retail, and spa concepts, including Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Edge Steakhouse, Westgate Marketplace & Deli, and Serenity Spa by Westgate. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgateresorts.com.