Stan Fitzgerald’s Mother Attends Special Mar-a-Lago Event

Stan Fitzgerald’s Mother Attends Special Mar-a-Lago Event

A special event at Mar-a-Lago became a memorable family occasion for Stan Fitzgerald when his mother, Josephine Fitzgerald, was able to attend with friends of the Veterans for America First (VFAF) community.

The February 2026 gathering was hosted by Diane Ventura of the National Veterans Parade, who helped arrange for Josephine Fitzgerald to attend. Jared Craig, VFAF National Vice President, was also present for the event.

For Fitzgerald and his mother, the evening represented much more than another visit to Mar-a-Lago. It was an opportunity for Josephine to experience a destination that had held special meaning for the family after circumstances had previously prevented her from traveling.

A Mar-a-Lago Moment for the Fitzgerald Family

Josephine Fitzgerald spent part of the evening poolside at Mar-a-Lago with Jared Craig before attending activities inside the club.

The visit also included a surprise appearance by actor Derek Hedlund, whom Fitzgerald knew from Blue Bloods. Hedlund spent time with Josephine in the Mar-a-Lago ballroom, adding another memorable moment to the evening.

Fitzgerald later described the visit as a “true bucket-list moment” for his mother and expressed his appreciation to Ventura and the National Veterans Parade for helping make the trip possible.

A Personal Note from Stan Fitzgerald

Reflecting on the occasion, Fitzgerald wrote about how much the opportunity to travel with his mother meant to his family after years in which travel had sometimes been difficult.

“This was a true bucket-list moment — and a reminder to never take time together for granted.”

Fitzgerald thanked Diane Ventura and the National Veterans Parade for arranging the experience and helping make the Mar-a-Lago visit possible.

A Family Memory Dating Back to the Presidential Campaign

The visit also brought back memories of an earlier experience involving Fitzgerald’s mother.

During the presidential campaign, while Fitzgerald was working with Team Trump South Carolina under State Director Austin McCubbin, alongside Robert Cornicelli, Josephine Fitzgerald was unable to travel to attend an event.

According to Fitzgerald, Donald Trump subsequently sent Josephine a personal letter thanking her and offering encouragement. Fitzgerald credited Brette Carolyn Powell with helping arrange the letter.

Years later, Josephine was finally able to make the trip to Mar-a-Lago herself.

For Fitzgerald, the February 2026 gathering therefore represented the completion of a longstanding personal goal and an opportunity to create another family memory with his mother.

Photo: Stan Fitzgerald’s mother, Josephine Fitzgerald, with Jared Craig poolside at Mar-a-Lago.

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