BRANDON - Like most malls, Westfield Brandon has already started sprinkling its decor with traditional holiday trimmings.
In the center of its courtyard, however, shoppers will find a static display saluting the military, including a large U.S. flag made of fresh flowers - perfect for a photo backdrop - as well as patriotic images depicting all five branches.
It's all a part of the mall's Dining Under the Stars-& Stripes event set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 7). A limited number of tickets remain available on Eventbrite for a gathering that aims to make veterans and military members feel appreciated.
"We have a lot of active military in our backyard and a large number of veterans and retired military that live in our community," said Westfield marketing manager Dawn Arvidson. The past few years we've done events around the veterans and this year we said, 'Let's do something different.'"
In 2017, Team Red, White and Blue's Old Glory Relay - a 4,000 mile delivery of a single flag from Seattle to Florida - concluded in the parking lot at Westfield Brandon with a patriotic festival and thousands of well-wishers.
Now Westfield turns to a more intimate event that allows the community to buy tickets for a special dinner while raising funds for Valor Service Dogs, a Tampa-based nonprofit organization that helps post 9/11 wounded veterans regain their independence through the assistance of trained dog.
The event will include live music, special recognitions and a three-course dinner from Westfield Brandon restaurants, as well as beer and wine service.
"It's really going to be an elevated experience," Arvidson said. "We're bringing in special tables. There going to be a beautiful red, white and blue ambience."
Dining Under the Stars extends Westfield Brandon's on-going efforts to maintain its role as the suburban area's town center has included a variety of events driven by mall management and various retailers.
As retail outlets seek to compete with the burgeoning popularity of online purchasing, they've emphasize giving patrons an experience that goes beyond simply shopping. With families making up more than 40 percent of its shoppers, Westfield wants to capitalize on promotions that can involve children and families.
With that in mind, its Veterans Day celebration will include weekend family gatherings from 1-3 p.m. on Nov. 10, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 that will feature patriotic face painting, balloon twisters, stilt walkers and other activities.
Arvidson also said the mall will invite nonprofits that support veteran initiatives to join the weekend events and use them as a platform to educate the community on the services they provide. Groups should contact Arvidson at dawn.arvidson@urw.com to learn more.
Of course, Black Friday, holiday gift buying and filling the aisles with eager shoppers remain a priority for Westfield, but for Veterans Day and the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, it's going to embrace what Arvidson calls one of Westfield's national pillars: honoring the men and women who serve.
"They went to war for us to protect us where we're at," Arvidson said. "They left their families, a lot of them young families, to go defend us. It's what we should do and what we need to do in order to honor them and say, 'Thank you for your service.'
"Not only that, but those (military) families that are coming to shop with us -- we want them to see that we recognize their sacrifice. It gives me chills talking about that."
Sometimes we forget this nation has been at war for 17 years, and experts say we continue to need a presence in Afghanistan. With surveys revealing that many military members and their families feel unappreciated, we need to not only embrace opportunities to salute them, but take the time to talk to them and understand their service, their motivation and their sacrifice.
That's all I'm saying.