It’s a week of celebration, recognition and moving toward success.

Jacksonville will host a “Week of Valor” November 5-12.The week is designed around a number of sporting events and Veterans Day in order to show appreciation to those who are serving or have served, as well as help any servicemen who are struggling to find jobs get on the right track.

The early part of the weeks is marked with luncheons and a summit, but a lot of focus is on the last few days.

On Thursday, November 9, the Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off the NFL’s “Salute to Service” with a military appreciate game against the Indianapolis Colts.

“It was an easy decision for us to jump on board,” says Jaguars VP of Sales and Marketing Mackie Weaver.There are 6,000 tickets offered to the military for that game.

Friday begins with a veterans job fair at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown says the sporting events will bring attention and resources to the city, but these fairs and summits will be a real focus of the week and his long term vision for the city.

“Having jobs in our city for those who exit the service and want to make this their home,” he says of that vision.

Brown wants to end homelessness among veterans, and sees opportunities like this week as one avenue to get things together and make that happen.

“Enhance the department and bring more stakeholders to the table to leverage our resources and assets to work together to get the job done,” he says.

The event gathering the most buzz takes place Friday evening- the Navy-Marine Corps Classic on the USS Bataan at Naval Station Mayport.

“It’s gunna be one of those bucket list things that you’re not gunna wanna miss,” says City Sports and Entertainment Director Alan Verlander.

He says the ticket sales are done, now they’re just figuring out the final details on how to hold a college basketball game on a carrier.

The week ends on Veterans Day with a Parade in Downtown Jacksonville.

Brown says this will be an annual event that he’s sees having real long term benefit for the city and its servicemen.

Here is a full schedule of the “Week of Valor”

Monday-Friday

-Active Duty Military and Veteran School Visits

Monday, Nov. 5

-Military Appreciation Luncheon, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, Prime Osborn Convention Center

Wednesday, Nov. 7

-Veterans Summit, 10 AM-2 PM, UNF University Center 

Thursday, Nov. 8

-Media Luncheon, 11:30 AM, USS Bataan at Naval Station Mayport
-Jaguars v. Colts NFL Thursday night Military Appreciation game, 8:20 PM, EverBank Field

Friday, Nov. 9

-Veterans Job Fair, 8:30 AM, Prime Osborn Convention Center
-Mayport Music Concert, 4:30 PM, Naval Station Mayport
-Navy-Marine Corps Classic (Florida Gators v. Georgetown Hoyas), 9 PM, USS Bataan at Naval Station Mayport

Monday, Nov. 12

-Veterans Recognition Breakfast, 9 AM-10 AM, Times Union Center
-Veterans Day Parade, 11:01 AM, Downtown Jacksonville