Rolling Thunder: Lack of money to silence POW/MIA support run
Smyrna-Clayton Sun Times Jeff Brown January 30, 2019
For the past 30 years, Rolling Thunder has sponsored a ride to Washington, D.C. to remind the public about POWs and MIAs. This year will be its last.
The rumble of motorcycles rolling across the nation’s capital in memory of America’s missing service members and prisoners of war is on the road to becoming a thing of the past.
The yearly event, sponsored by the New Jersey-based Rolling Thunder, Inc., will end with its 32nd ride in May 2019, Executive Director Artie Muller and President Joe Bean announced in December.
Since 1988, Rolling Thunder’s annual First Amendment Demonstration Ride has seen hundreds of thousands of bikers and supporters converge on Washington, D.C., in support of the MIA/POW cause. The first event attracted about 2,000 bikers; more than a half-million turned out for the 2018 event.
Delawareans who ride in support of Rolling Thunder were shocked to learn the news.
Bikers coming in from across the country traditionally assemble in parking lots around the Pentagon, where Rolling Thunder would sell products such as pins, patches, and flags to raise additional money.
A particular point of contention, according to Muller, was a growing lack of cooperation with security forces at the Pentagon who he accused of diverting the bikers and not allowing them to enter the parking lots, which also prevented participants from buying Rolling Thunder products.
Department of Defense spokeswoman Susan L. Gough has denied those charges, saying the DoD is focused on supporting Rolling Thunder’s right to protest while at the same time ensuring the safety and security of both the bikers and the Pentagon complex itself. read more here
Rolling Thunder to end annual Memorial Day ride in DC after 2019
STARS AND STRIPES By NIKKI WENTLING Published: December 13, 2018
The ride started in 1988 with about 2,000 riders, Muller said. In 2018, there were more than 500,000.
The rain didn't stop motorcyclists from taking part in the 30th anniversary of Rolling Thunder on Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Washington. AMANDA L. TRYPANIS/STARS AND STRIPES
WASHINGTON – Rolling Thunder will no longer hold its annual Memorial Day motorcycle ride through Washington, D.C., after 2019, the group’s founder announced Thursday.
The tradition is ending because of escalating costs and a lack of cooperation from the Pentagon and metropolitan police departments, said Artie Muller, a Vietnam veteran and founder of Rolling Thunder, Inc.
“It has been a hard decision to make,” Muller wrote in a letter that he plans to send to supporters in January. “After much discussion and thought over the last six months, Rolling Thunder National Officers have concluded to end our 32-year annual D.C. Memorial weekend event.”
Rolling Thunder is a nonprofit organization that honors prisoners of war and servicemembers missing in action. Its “Ride for Freedom” through Washington every Memorial Day weekend draws thousands of riders and onlookers.
Costs for the 2018 ride totaled more than $200,000, Muller said. The nonprofit hasn’t been able to recruit a new corporate sponsor, and Rolling Thunder didn’t sell enough merchandise, such as patches, pins and flags. read more here
It seems as if the American public is only paying attention to what they are told by members of the media pretending that suicides tied to military service is important. We missed the ugly truth about how many should have survived what our government did and what reporters ignored. The truth is, none of them have paid attention. We read about the "number" of veterans they want us to believe are committing suicide every day, but they do not want us to look at the facts. We hear about members of the military committing suicide, in our local papers or among social media sites. What we do not get, is a true idea of exactly how many are being ignored...unless you actually know where to look. This is six years of the Department of Defense Suicide Report that shows after all of the "training" in prevention, publicity on "efforts" by members of Congress to "prevent" suicides within the military and in the veterans community, all the money spent, all of the "awareness" raised, this is the result of all of it.
This is the one topic that should cross over political lines but we failed to see this massive failure was happening and no one did anything about it! Too many are gone and we cannot bring them back. All we can do is hold all of our politicians accountable so that next Memorial Day we will not have more graves filled because of service than combat itself! When your member of Congress talks about the Bills they wrote to "address" suicides, remember the deadly results after they "did" something without ever figuring out what the hell they needed to do! By the way, I tried to do something about making people aware of what was going on back in 2007!
Leaving Pain Behind You PTSD Patrol Kathie Costos May 27, 2018
Commuter: Drives down same road without change.
Sightseer: Just looking at what others found.
Adventurer: Drives down new road to see where it goes.
Pioneer: Makes the roads everyone else takes.
What type of driver are you? Do you look forward to the next part of your journey, or do you constantly look in the rear view mirror? If you escaped death in the service of others, why wonder where it is now? Why think that the others were worth saving, but you are not? Why look at things through the darkness surrounding you as if there is all there is? It depends on where your light source is. These pictures were taken at Glen Haven Memorial Park, at the same time, with the same camera and the same settings.
There are things we see, then, there are things we just imagine. You may imagine that the pain you feel right now is all there is. Do you want to see things with a different light source? Then look at the reasons you were willing to die for others to find the reason to live for yourself. read more here
PTSD potentially a life and death struggle for veterans Lima Ohio News By Bryan Reynolds MAY 26, 2018
Veterans with PTSD face second life and death struggle
LIMA — Barney Hovest of Pandora last saw his son alive on Easter 2016 while driving him home to Chicago after spending the holiday in Ohio.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hovest had served two tours of duty in Iraq with the Army Rangers 82nd Airborne from 2002 to 2003 and in 2006. He returned home from his first tour showing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Barney Novest holds a photograph of his son Benjamin with his jacket and flag. Benjamin was an Army Ranger in the Iraq war that suffered from PTSD and took his life in 2016.
“He was different when he came home after his first tour,” his father said. “We talked on the way home and he actually talked about committing suicide. And I said, ‘You know you can’t do that. That would just kill us all.’ He goes, ‘I know, I just started going to this veterans group and talking.’ I really thought, ‘Finally, he’s talking to somebody at least.’”
On June 5, 2016, Hovest received the call no parent should ever receive. His son had turned his suicidal thoughts into action. After 13 years of dealing with PTSD, Benjamin Hovest wrote letters to each family member, got the military paperwork together his family would need for organizing a funeral, walked behind the place he was living and shot himself in a deserted alley.
“I was shocked because I thought he just sounded like he was different. He’s finally getting some help talking to these other vets,” Hovest said. “I don’t know what happened that day or that night. It’s a phone call I’d rather not ever get again.” read more here
Did you notice the date? How is it that the press still settles for what they think is happening instead of ever researching how it got worse than they can imagine? Isn't that what they are supposed to be doing? This is Memorial Day weekend, and tomorrow is the official day we are supposed to be honoring the lives lost keeping this nation free. Some died in combat and others died because of it. It is for them we have got to get this right...and long overdue. 'He Had A Very Sad Heart': This Memorial Day, Remembering The Overlooked Heroes on NPR seemed like a good story to read.
In 2012, Army Spc. Robert Joseph Allen took his own life while serving in the U.S. military. At the time, the suicide rate for active-duty troops was at its highest ever, with more soldiers dying from suicide than in combat. Since then a law enacted in 2014 requires all service members to undergo one-on-one mental health screenings once a year and there's been growing attention to reducing military suicide.
It looks like NPR failed to read this report before doing this story.
Department of Defense Quarterly Suicide Report which shows that after the "law was enacted in 2014, it did no good at all. Keep in mind that as the number of suicide remained about the same, the number of enlisted went down.
The "training" to prevent suicides started over a decade ago and the "law" that said they had to have mental health screenings did not happen. All NPR had to do is review the videos on C Span during hearings with the Committees and hear Generals say they were not doing "post" deployment screenings and the Senators held none of them accountable for ignore the law. Maybe if all the reporters paid attention all along there would be fewer veterans in their graves instead of in their homes.
Do not settle for demoralizing this day Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos May 24, 2018 This morning I was readingKTRE News report about a veteran who went to take some pictures of the Memorial for Chris Kyle. This is what he discovered.
For Joe Guerrero, a local veteran, something looked off about the Chris Kyle Memorial in Odessa.
“I told him doing the right thing, is always doing the right thing. When you see something wrong and out of place you need to step up and do something for it. Don’t wait for someone else to clean it.” (click the link to read more on this.)
Those words stuck with me as I was going through news reports. "When you see something wrong and out of place you need to step up and do something for it." While it may feel good to think that we actually show appreciation for the men and women who stepped up to serve this country, the truth is, when we look at the results, the simple fact is, we do not. Memorial Day "weekend" is starts tomorrow. It is supposed to be about remembering the men and women who sacrificed for the rest of us, but we settle for commercials focusing on sales, BBQs and the kick off of summer instead of remembering what this day should be. We have demoralized it!
"to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : to corrupt the morals of"
We settle too easily. We settle for politicians telling us that giving veterans a choice...sending them to for profit healthcare, is a good thing to do, we do not acknowledge these same people failed them in the first place. While some see the bad news regarding the VA, too few see the history of how many decades Congress and Presidents have promised to repay the debt. None of the problems our veterans face after becoming disabled are new, but they know we'll just settle for this being the best response. They do not want us to see they had to allow millions of veterans to suffer so they could destroy the VA to this point. We settle for attention seekers running around the country screaming about how many veterans they think are committing suicide, yet, they offer no evidence they have any plan to change the outcome. They offer no evidence they have any kind of understanding what is in the reports they quote. They ignore the majority of the veterans still committing suicide many years after their service and needing the most immediate response. We settle all too easily when members of the NFL decide they want to protest as an American, yet use the game to get attention for themselves from the fans of the teams, no matter if they are offended or not. The protestors do not simply voice their opinion on the level of all other Americans. No, they use their fans to make a point. Then they are offended when the fans use their right to stop supporting them. We settle for them saying they are not insulting the flag or the troops, yet we ignore the fact the flag and the troops were the inspiration behind the National Anthem. We settle for the press trying to tell us that it is all because the President sent a Tweet instead of this actual patriotism we feel is so much deeper than any President or political party. We settle for flags on the graves and speeches promising change while they are taking credit for what they now say needs to be changed? We settle for what they say they want to do, without ever apologizing for what they have already done to get it so wrong. When I think of Memorial Day, I think of the veterans in my family who decided they wanted to do more than just settle for what was or complain about what they did not like. They cherished this country to the point where they were willing to die for it, yet we not so blind they were willing to settle for someone simply saying this is the best this nation can be. They served in the military, and then served in the community. They voted for someone as much as they voted against someone else, hoping to have made the right choice. I see a flag and remember how many caskets were covered by one. I hear the National Anthem and remember that song was inspired by the War of 1812 to honor those who put their lives on the line so that we could remain free. Free to protest what we see as wrong, as much as we are free to stand up for what is right. Free to spread a lie for discover what the truth is and share it even though we may be attacked for it. Free to have reporters telling us what is going on and holding them accountable when they get it wrong. Free to love as we choose, worship as we choose and fight back when someone decides to take that right away because they are offended we did not make the same choices they did. Free to ask "which Christian nation" we are supposed to be when there are many denominations of Christianity because they do not have the same beliefs. Standing up and doing the right thing is not easy for any of us but we need to remember those who stood up before us!
They Served With Honor: North Iowa's Vietnam Veterans
Globe Gazette From the Thanking North Iowa service members and veterans in 2016 series 9 hrs ago The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays and Wednesdays. We’ll culminate this "They Served With Honor" project with a special section (publishing on the day before Memorial Day) that will include all of the profiles. It will be great keepsake and resource for family members, educators and part-time historians.
Today, nothing worked out the way I planned but that's ok now. My TV decided it needed to enter into the twilight zone, so I had to buy a new one. The cable didn't fit, so I had to go and try to find an adapter. So yes, you can gloat, I went shopping on Memorial Day...Karma! Long story short, I got to the cemetery when the service was over. Chairs were being folded up and Channel 2 News was just leaving.
I had seen the service many times before and filmed it. Plus I knew Channel 2 would have some coverage of it, so I took a deep breath and started to walk around with peace and quiet for a change. As I walked, I stopped here and there, reading the stones with names, dates and branch of service. I couldn't help but notice how many had no flowers, no flags, no indication that someone was there for them. Then I thought about my own Dad and my husband's Dad. We were not there to leave a remembrance for them either. They are buried in Massachusetts and we're here in Florida. I knew it would be wrong to make assumptions about the families of these veterans laid to rest. It was just sad and made me miss our Dads more than usual.
Monday morning, the Winter Park community gathered to give special honors to those who fought in Vietnam. Organizers said unlike the veterans of World War II and Korea, Vietnam vets came home to a divided country and didn't have the support to adapt to civilian life. Michelle Meredith reports.
To them, we owe our deepest gratitude. While we cannot adequately repay that debt to those made the supreme sacrifice for us, we can perhaps honor them by caring for those who fought and survived the horrors of war. Yet a new report suggests we are failing at that.
The Government Accountability Office released a study indicating that between 2011 and 2015 the Pentagon booted 91,764 soldiers from military service for misconduct, and that 62 percent of them suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or some other debilitating mental health condition. Misconduct typically involves drug usage, criminal activity, insubordination or going AWOL.
Of the 57,141 troops released from service, the GAO determined that the bulk of them were provided general discharges, which still qualified them for many benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, education being the exception. Still, 13,283 of them were issued “other-than-honorable” discharges, which typically made them ineligible for VA healthcare programs.
Ninety-eight percent of the 57,141 soldiers in question were enlisted personnel, as opposed to officers, and they had on average served four years on active duty. In short, they were solid veterans from the lower ranks who had done their duty until something rattled them or the engineering inside their skull.
Please use the link and read the rest of this and think about what you just learned. We owe them, but that part keeps getting missed!
Disdain For Leaving Veterans in Despair Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos May 29, 2017
All across this nation people are doing things on this Memorial Day to acknowledge the price paid by those who fought our battles. Historians count the dead from all the named wars but they have never counted all the lives lost from the final battle the survivors fought until their lives ended.
This is what most of us have forgotten. Most wars are fought on a nightly basis in the dreams of those carried the burden of war within them.
This Memorial Day, I woke up, filled with bitter tears, thinking of all the lives gone but will never be counted. They will only be remembered by their families. It is a battle that has gone on since the beginning of time and one we will never win as long as we keep repeating what failed pretending it will work this time.
"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Attempts have been made to put a number on those who have fallen by their own hand, but too many have taken the reports, grabbed the headline and dismissed the rest of the report. Far to easy for them to remember a number than to read the contents of 59 pages from the 2012 VA Suicide report or the 46 pages of the 2016 report.
All across this nation there are groups claiming to be doing good works by raising awareness of veterans committing suicide. They appear to be trying to change the outcome, but clearly, while they publicize what they want others to know, they hide the fact they do not know how to change the outcome and have no resources to help veterans stay alive.
Jesus Teaches about False Teachers
15 “Watch out for false teachers. They come to you dressed as if they were sheep. On the inside they are hungry wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruit. Do men pick grapes from thorns? Do men pick figs from thistles? 17 It is true, every good tree has good fruit. Every bad tree has bad fruit.
When confronted, they claim they are not harming anyone but the truth is, they harm those who need help as much as they harm those who do want to change the outcome. They feel cheated and betrayed by these false teachers, then they believe that everyone else is just as useless.
I hear it all the time. Veterans are shocked when they discover the truth and then become angry because no one told them they did not need to suffer instead of healing. Betrayal after betrayal, yet the false teachers are supported by social media and funding. No one bothered to ask them why they needed the money or what they were doing with it when everything they talk about was given to them freely by others who did in fact pay the price to gain the knowledge in the first place.
For us, it is a price well worth paying. There is no way to explain what it is like to take a veteran from the edge of the cliff and see them walk away with their head held up high.
"Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace."
We are talking about people who were willing to die for the sake of others but not being able to find one more reason to live one more day? Doesn't that bother you? How do they go from that, filled with courage and compassion, valuing the lives of others to the point where they were willing to pay for it with their own, into taking their own life?
I did not decide to go into the military. I was born into it. I did not choose to fight the Vietnam war. I choose to fight for my husband. I did not choose to make this the mission of my life but it has been worth it to help others discover how they can save these veterans. I give what I know away freely but others take it, use it and profit themselves.
To those who do, God sees what you are doing and you will pay for the bitter tears you left behind after families were left to grieve for veterans who sought help but were used and betrayed.
So this Memorial Day, remember, you have filled more graves by your actions. You disregarded over four decades of research done that others like me learned from. You took away our ability to reach them, teach them and watch them help others. You are like those who decide today is a day to party and go shopping wearing patriotic T-shirts!
I welcome the false teachers as regarding me as the enemy. When it comes to taking sides, I choose to stand by their side and damn those who have already damned themselves by using veterans for their own gain.
Veteran: To many Americans, Memorial Day has lost meaning FOX 9 News May 28, 2017
Veterans groups say a growing military-civilian disconnect contributes to a feeling that Memorial Day has been overshadowed. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population served in the armed forces during World War II. That's down to less than one-half of a percent today, guaranteeing more Americans aren't personally acquainted with a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.
ANNVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Allison Jaslow heard it more than once as the long holiday weekend approached -- a cheerful "Happy Memorial Day!" from oblivious well-wishers.
The former Army captain and Iraq War veteran had a ready reply, telling them, matter-of-factly, that she considered it a work weekend. Jaslow will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to take part in the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She'll then visit Section 60, the final resting place of many service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"You can see it in people's faces that they're a little horrified that they forget this is what the day's about," said Jaslow, 34, who wears a bracelet bearing the name of a fallen comrade. "Culturally, we've kind of lost sight of what the day's supposed to mean."
While millions of Americans celebrate the long Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer -- think beaches and backyard barbecues, mattress sales and sporting events -- some veterans and loved ones of fallen military members wish the holiday that honors more than 1 million people who died serving their country would command more respect.
"It hurts," Duffy said. For combat veterans and Gold Star families especially, "it hurts that, as a society, we don't truly understand and appreciate what the true meaning of Memorial Day is." read more here
Memorial Day Madness of Bad Reporting Continues Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos May 28, 2017 Yet again, there is what could be a powerful reminder of what Memorial Day means to those who served in combat, turned into a "don't care enough" to get it right. "'I can't do barbecues:' Veterans say Memorial Day time to discuss suicides in ranks" on The Tennesseean by Jake Lowary seemed like a good point to raise, but by the end of the following, it was clear the story didn't mean enough to get the facts right.
"Memorial Days are tough for retired Staff Sgt. Jarrad Turner.
He often politely declines invitations to Memorial Day barbecues. He can't celebrate that way. Those events conjure the horrors of war he experienced and still thinks about every day.
The smell, the smoke, the flames all bring back harsh memories for Turner, and likely thousands of other veterans around the country.
While Memorial Day may invoke tales of heroism in battle and the memories of those lost in combat, the holiday is increasingly a time some veterans remember those that took their own lives — often after struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder or other insurmountable internal strife."
It never stopped being a time for those who served this nation and their families to not honor the sacrifices they know all too well. My Dad was a Korean War veteran and my uncles were WWII veterans. I married a Vietnam veteran and his Dad along with three of his brothers fought in WWII. My husband's nephew also served in Vietnam. At no time in our lives has this day represented what is celebration or saving money during Memorial Day sales. While most of the country is kicking off summer and planning parties, families like mine are going to Memorial Day remembrance serves. We go to cemeteries. We go through photo albums and see the young faces of far too many gone too soon. For us, we carry the price of what the rest of the country chooses to forget. "Freedom is not free" and the price paid by less than ten percent of the population pays the debt for the rest of their lives. And then there was this,
"Suicides among current and former military members hit a peak of 22 veterans per day in 2012, attributed largely to the mental horrors of war and violence that have remained vivid for thousands of men and women returning from the nation’s longest conflicts ever.
The Department of Veterans Affairs and other groups say the rate of suicide deaths is now closer to 20 per day, based largely on figures from the CDC. The most recent figures from the Defense Department indicate a consistent number of suicides among current military members — 478 were confirmed in 2016 among both active and reserve personnel — and no clear sign they're dwindling."
They were more than numbers and the numbers were more than were reported. The VA report stated clearly the numbers were from limited data from just 21 states. Most did not read the report and they did not even know the majority of the veterans making the final payment on the debt that came with serving, were over the age of 50.
The latest report from the VA put the number at 20 a day, and while part of the data came from the CDC, it was not the only source. Add into all of that the VA also stated the number counted was exactly the same in 1999, yet there were over 5 million more veterans alive at the time and no one was running around the country talking about something as if it mattered but didn't matter enough to actually read the report. Stunning!
VA Suicide Datashows clearly that the majority of suicides involve veterans over the age of 50, but then again, they are also the majority of veterans in this country. They are also last on the list to talk about. Far too many people think the number they hear about is only OEF and OIF veterans. Next on the fact list is the number of OEF and OIF veteran suicides increasing after over a decade of "prevention" efforts by the military. Clearly it does not work because as the number of enlistments went down, the rate of suicides did not. Yep, one more thing reporters to not make the general pubic aware of, event though, as taxpayers, they are paying billions for something that does not work. As a matter of fact, evidence points to it making it worse. The military keeps claiming that the majority of servicemembers taking their own lives did not deploy. I'd like to see them explain how they think that is a good thing considering every member of the military has had that training. If it wasn't good enough for non-deployed, then how the hell did they think it would work for those with multiple deployments? Yet again, none of this matters to reporters. You't think they'd bother to put all the facts together and spend the time these veterans deserved from them, but alas, just not important enough to change the outcome. We're just going to have to visit more graves next year while yahoos pull stunts, running around the country, getting big donations, talking about something they don't care enough to learn about. Until reporters actually prove these stories do matter, the rest of the country will move on to celebrating next year on Memorial Day while we grieve for those who did not have to die! UPDATE
ADD THIS TO THE ABOVE RANT
PTSD awareness, more funding help lower veteran suicide rates in Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennesseans who work with veterans said Friday the state's suicide rates among veterans are declining. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 22 veterans take their lives each day in the U.S. A recent report shows the percentage of veteran suicides in the state has been on a downward trend for the last few years. In 2015, Tennessee veterans represented 16.8% of all suicides. That's a decline from 17.2% in 2014, and 21% in 2013.
But on May 26, this was reported about Tennessee veterans.
Suicide rising in the military ranks, but some programs offer hope
Scott Ridgway, executive director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, said Fort Campbell has nine confirmed suicide deaths so far in 2017. Defense Department totals from the first quarter of 2017 have not been reported.
Ridgway's group released 2015 totals this week, which shows increases in both veteran suicide and overall suicide. The numbers suggest one person between 10 and 24 dies by suicide every four days, and 16.7 percent of all suicide deaths in Tennessee in 2015 were veterans.
The VA does not regularly report its totals, but the August 2016 report indicates suicide rates in veterans age 18 to 29 increased 150 percent between 2001 and 2014. The increase among males is greater compared with women.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself” —Joseph Campbell
The term “hero” is thrown around more often than it actually should be, but you will know a real hero when you see one. They are people who do something for the greater good in an unselfish act.
There will be a special Memorial Day post this year so that we actually honor that fact!
(the video is from 2010, so the numbers of OEF and OIF fallen is higher now)
From Cathy Haynes
MEMORIAL DAY/weekend events: Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings.
Armed Forces Day primarily honors those persons who are currently serving our country.
Veterans Day primarily honors those who have served in the past.
Memorial Day primarily honors those who died while in service to our country, those who have given their lives for the nation’s freedom and the freedom of others.
While it is always appropriate to thank someone in our military services, past and present, Memorial Day is a day for those no longer with us. It was meant to be a more solemn day, rather than celebratory with parties and sales….
Display in Oviedo - May 21 to 29 – Fallen Floridians’ Memorial Cross Tribute – Started by the children of a local fallen soldier and formerly located at the Lawton House, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church is honored to display this Memorial of our Florida soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Jim Vanderbleek created the tribute to honor our Florida soldiers who died while serving Iraq and Afghanistan. Now this powerful memorial travels throughout the state of Florida. Persons are invited to walk amongst the crosses daily from 9am to 8am. 113 Lockwood Blvd. Oviedo, 32765. Ceremony on Monday at this site. Info: 407-365-3231.
FRIDAY MAY 26
Ocoee’s Memorial Day Ceremony –11am – Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, 34761 (west Orange County.) The keynote speaker will be Army First Sergeant (ret.) Daniel Kalagian, an Ocoee resident. He was on active duty in the 1980s and later started his 23 year career with the Bridgeport Connecticut Police Department as an officer and detective. During his military career, he served in Iraq and in Guantanamo Bay after Sept. 11, 2001. Kalagian now serves as the new commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305 in Winter Garden. He also leads a service platoon with The Mission Continues, a veteran-led non-profit that helps veterans transform their drive to serve from the military to the civic community. The Memorial Day ceremony will include a processional to the Ocoee Memorial Wall where a wreath will be set in place. The Memorial Wall is inscribed with the names of Ocoee residents who gave their lives for freedom. Allyson Bellochi, a senior at Ocoee High School, will sing the National Anthem and Charisma Tran, “Miss Young Preteen Earth United States”, will sing patriotic songs. Ely Martinez, a junior at Ocoee High School, will play Taps to honor fallen soldiers. In addition, there will be ceremonial flag presentations by the Ocoee Police and Fire Department Honor Guards. After the ceremony, refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 407-905-3100 or visit www. ocoee.org.
SATURDAY MAY 27
9/11 Memorial Beam Moving – Sat. May 27 - The Avenue Viera is pleased to announce that it will be the new home of the World Trade Center Beam that is currently located at NASA Kennedy Space Center Fire Station 1. This seven-foot long, one-ton steel beam was recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Starting at 9am, it will make its way from Kennedy Space Center through Brevard County to its final placement at The Avenue Viera, 2261 Town Center Ave., Ste. 113, Viera, 32940.
One week later, June 3, the official dedication ceremony will be held at The Avenue Viera at 10am.
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony - 10am - 11:30am -- Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 Highway 1 in Mims. Main Flag Pole. Veterans will be honored for their service and sacrifice. The keynote speaker will be Air Force Gen. Wayne Monteith, Commander of the 45th Space Wing and Director of Eastern Range at Patrick AFB and a guest speaker will be Colonel Danny McKnight. Since there is limited seating lawn chairs are welcome.
Cypress Grove Park Memorial Day Salute - 9:45am to 12noon – 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, 32839 in South Orlando. VFW Post 2093 Community Band will be performing a Prelude, patriotic guest speaker, POW/MIA Remembrance and folding of the Flag; Veterans pinning ceremony, Free and all persons welcome, especially veterans. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Info: 407-254-6770 or 407-855-5877.
Celebration’s Memorial Day Flag Ceremony – 10am – at Founders Park, Campus St, Celebration, 34747 in Osceola County. The flag ceremony will honor the men and women who have bravely and selflessly defended our country, and will celebrate and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes. The Celebration Veterans’ Club, Boy and Girl Scout Troops and the Garden Club of Celebration are helping to host this ceremony. The Celebration Community Chorus will put on a special performance recognizing US military members. Info: 407-566-1200.
Statue unveiling – 5:30pm - The statue of Marine Lance CPL Antoine Smith will be unveiled at 5:30 at First Baptist Church Orlando, 3000 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, 32805. Antoine was a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School, and 22 yrs old when killed in 2004 during the battles of Fallujah in Iraq. He was the only child and son of Deborah Smith. There will also be statue display and tributes on Sunday. Info: 407-218-2938.
SUNDAY, MAY 28
Statue unveiling and display – 8:30, 10 and 11 am - The statue of Marine Lance CPL Antoine Smith will be unveiled at First Baptist Church Orlando, 3000 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, 32805. Antoine was a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School, and 22 yrs old when killed in 2004 during the battles of Fallujah in Iraq. He was the only child and son of Deborah Smith. Tributes at 8:30, 10 and 11 am. Info: 407-218-2938.
Taft Cemetery – 10:30 - American Legion Dorie Miller Memorial Post #331 will place flags on veteran’s graves beginning about 10:30 with a ceremony to follow. 501 Landstreet Rd., Orlando, 32824 in south Orlando. Public invited. Post phone: 407-294-3548.
American Legion Post 112 Memorial Day Commemoration – 2pm – The Post members along with Sea Cadets, Fleet Reserve, and Boy Scouts assist with ceremony. Special guest speaker Major Mike Ramsey, the Executive Officer from UCF’S Army ROTC dept. Public invited. Post#112 at 4490 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, 32792 (btwn Aloma Blvd and University Blvd.) Info: 407-671-6404
City of Rockledge Memorial Day Ceremony – 2 to 3pm - This 3nd annual event in Brevard County will feature patriotic music, Honor Guards from VFW Post 4534 (Rocket Post), Rockledge Police Department, and the laying of a ceremonial wreath. Boy Scouts will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, guest speakers include Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Port Commissioner and Navy Adm. Wayne Justice (ret.), and A.F. Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Boston Alexander, and Col. Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (ret.). Larry L. Schultz Park at 2560 Fiske Blvd, on the corner of Fiske Blvd and Levitt Parkway in Rockledge. Info: www. cityofrockledge .org 321-221-7540.
National Memorial Day Concert - 8pm Live on your local PBS TV station (WUCF, or other local PBS.) This live concert is from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC. Joe Mantegna and Laurence Fishburne, both acclaimed actors dedicated to veterans’ causes and supporting our troops in active service, will host this star-studded lineup on stage for one of PBS' highest-rated programs. Gary Sinise will present a 75th anniversary salute to the Doolittle Raiders, the daring aviators who changed the course of World War II in the Pacific. It will feature a tribute to the last surviving Doolittle Raider, Colonel Richard Cole. (This 101 yr old living history treasure is a frequent guest at our Florida Titusville Warbirds Airshow.) A multi-award-winning television event, it has become an American tradition, honoring the military service and sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Check your local channel guide. See WUCF website for more information, stories, and ways to become locally involved. The Concert will be taped and aired again at 9:30pm.
MEMORIAL DAY - MON. MAY 29 – alphabetical by county
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
BREVARD COUNTY
Honoring America’s Fallen Heroes - 9am - 10:30am – Ceremony at Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and Park, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, 32952. Guest speaker Air Force BG Wayne Monteith of the 45th Space Wing. WW2 Merchant Marines will be highlighted and presented with special pins. Capt. Ed Lanni (ret.) who has 40+ years of sea service, including the WW2 MM will be attending. Merritt Island H.S. JROTC is the Color Guard; Sea Cadets and scouts will be assisting. 321-453-1776.
Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Melbourne– 10am - Hosted by the American Legion Post 81, this annual event to honor and remember America’s Veterans on corner of E. New Haven Avenue and Helen Street. Wreath laying at Melbourne Cemetery.
Titusville: The city’s annual Memorial Day observance will take place at 10 a.m. May 29 at Veterans Memorial Park, 2 Broad St. The event is sponsored by American Legion Post 1 and supported by Titusville’s Flag and Memorial Committee. Many civic and fraternal organizations will participate with color guard and honor guard units, as well as the laying of memorial wreaths. (Courtesy of Viera Voice)
Melbourne Memorial Day – 11am - Ceremony with the Massing of the Colors, guest speaker Chris Nielsen, music by the Melbourne Municipal Band, and other patriotic actions. Liberty Bell Memorial Museum, 1601 Oak St., Melbourne. Presented by Honor America. Free. Info: 321-727-1776.
Veterans Sail For Free On Memorial Day - Victory Casino Cruises honors and remembers the men and women who died while serving in our country's armed forces. All Veterans sail for free with us on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 as we thank them for their service to our country. AM & PM cruise, 11am - 12am. 180 Christopher Columbus Drive. Contact them for add’l info.
Titusville: The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4228 will recognize military members who died in combat. The event will include a speaker, entertainment and food. It will take place at 2 p.m. May 29 on the VFW grounds at 4411 Capron Road in Titusville. (Courtesy of Viera Voice)
12th Annual City of Cocoa Memorial Day Parade and Tribute - Commemorating all the men and woman who bravely gave their lives for our country. 5:45pm – 7:30pm at Cocoa's Riverfront Park. A tribute parade will begin with Grand Marshall, Albert Zimmerman beginning at 5:45 pm-6:15 pm. The parade Route is through Cocoa Village along Delannoy Ave., Harrison St., Brevard Ave. & Maryland Ave. A Static Display for viewing from 6:15 pm-7:30 pm. A Formal Stage Presentation will begin promptly at - 6:30 pm in Riverfront Park under the band shell. Opening Remarks by Mayor Henry U. Parrish, III; Guest Speaker is Army LCol Scott N. Beach, (ret.). Info: Leisure Services 321- 635-7702.
LAKE COUNTY
Clermont Memorial Day Observance – 11am - Waterfront Pavilion on Lake Minneola, 330 Third Street. VFW Post #5277, Tomoka Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and I.W. Hatcher,Jr. Detachment 1120 of Marine Corp League. Also participating will be the South Lake High School JROTC ; Mr. Jim Hanks; Knights of Columbus and South Lake scouts. There will be a container for small toiletry items for Operation Shoebox that sends military care packages to the troops. Also, bring any old flags that need to be retired/disposed of properly. Info: Susan DeHart 352-242-2394 or Andy Smith 352-874-3064.
Memorial Day Ceremony – 4pm - Join AMVETS Post 2006 and others as they honor our military men and women who gave their all. Honor Guard, Bagpipes, local city and county officials, dignitaries, and more. Snack is offered (limited supply) and specialty beverages are available. * Everyone is welcome. * Meet at AMVETS Post 2006 at 500 N Canal St, Leesburg, 34748 Info: amvets2006 .com
ORANGE COUNTY
Winter Garden Memorial Day – 8:30am – 25th anniversary of Ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park, 420 S. Park Ave., Winter Garden, 34787. Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz (ret.) is the featured speaker. A Roll Call of Veterans and a placement of wreaths will be presented with patriotic songs performed as we invoke pride, honor and respect for our veterans. Refreshments will be served. Info: Theo Graham at 407-656-2021.
Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park – 9am - The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation (CFVMPF) will be hosting at the Memorial adjacent to the VA Medical Center at Lake Nona. The Guest Speaker is U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, FL-9th District. We will also have remarks from Ms. Kathleen L. Cole, Acting Director, Orlando VA Medical Center. Following the ceremony a briefing will be given by Ms. Teresa Turner, the new Orlando Fisher House Director on the Fisher House at the VA Medical Center at Lake Nona. The Memorial Wall panels feature the names of fallen warriors from the six county area (Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia) who served in WWI to the present day conflicts.
Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando – 9 to 9:30am– Traditional ceremony at the Veterans Section of the cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando, 32801, downtown Orlando. Hosted by City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, with OPD Honor Guard. Special guest speaker is Army Capt. Raymond Beard. Public is invited. Contact Information: 407-246-2616. (Time allowed to get to Or. Co. Courthouse ceremony)
Orange County Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony – 10am–11am Orange County Courthouse, south side, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32801. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will express eternal gratitude. Also attending Orlando City Mayors’ Veterans Advisory Council. Keynote speaker will be local Brigadier General Helen G. Pratt, Commanding General 4th Marine Logistics Group, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. U.S. Army Orlando Recruiting Company Color Guard, singers, high school brass quintet and JROTC, and more. We will remember and honor members of the armed forces from Orange County who ultimately sacrificed their lives while serving our country. Info: 407-836-7370.
Woodlawn Memorial Park Ceremony - 10am - 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, 34734 (southwest Orange County.) Veteran organizations, Scouts, rifle volley, Taps, the tolling of the replica Liberty Bell in memory of the dead of all wars, and a possible fly-over. Guest speakers are Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Lt Col. Robert Carter of the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Info: 407-293-1361.
Glen Haven Memorial Park - 11am to 1pm - 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789. Emceed by WFLA's Bud Hedinger. Commemorating the Fall of Saigon with Guest Speaker, Colonel Gerald Berry, USMC (ret.) who flew Ambassador Graham Martin out of Saigon in 1975. Patriotic musical salute provided by VFW 2093 Community Band and vocalist, Charles Haugabrooks. Reflections of War presented by Florida Reenactment Society and Winter Springs High School Army JROTC. WW2 veterans who will attend include Lt. John Holmes – 8th Air Force, England, who was a B-24 Liberator bombardier with 31 missions over Europe. All men and women who served during the Vietnam era will be presented a commemorative pin by the American-Vietnamese ladies of the Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation. Info: 407.647.1100
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Osceola Memory Gardens – 8:30-9:30am - Ceremony by the Osceola County Veterans Council and and the Civil Air Patrol Cadets Squadron FL-463. Public invited. 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744. The group generally proceeds to St. Cloud for the ceremony at Mount Peace Cemetery. Info: Vanessa at 407-892-2155 Vanessa.Roman@ OsceolaMemGds .com
Mount Peace Cemetery – 10am-12 noon, 755 E. 10th St., St. Cloud, 34769. City of St. Cloud is a co-sponsor of the annual American Legion Post 80 and VFW Post 3227 Memorial Day Service. Guest speakers are St. Cloud Mayor Nathan Blackwell, Florida Dept. of American Legion Vice Cmdr Steve Shuga, and Christine Falkowski, a veteran and American Legion Riders Director. Also with AMVETs Post#33, first responders and scouts. Everyone is invited to remember and honor those who gave their all in the service of their country. Hot dogs at the VFW Post after ceremony. 407-892-8808.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Significance of Poppies – 9am - Oviedo Veterans Tribute - Center Lake Park. A local Gold Star Daughter is completing a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Come get one of the 800 handmade poppies at the Park's Memorial Day Ceremony. In addition, a flyer made by her, will explain certain "symbols of sacrifice," like the meaning of poppies, Gold Star Flag and Gold Star Pin. It will also mention her "Patriotic Girl Scout" Pinterest Page and a You Tube Video link- showing the steps of "how to make poppies." All are invited to attend.
Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony - 10am - 12noon - For spectators and family, the fun starts at 9 AM with music, stilt walkers and lots of fun! The Parade – abt 60+ units- starts at 10 AM on 1st Street, at Sanford Avenue to Park Avenue, then it will turn north on Park Avenue arriving at Veterans Memorial Park, 110 E. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, 32771. A Remembrance Ceremony starts at 11am. Dignitaries and officials will provide a tribute. There will be patriotic music and a dueling three-volley salute between the Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. There will also be a helicopter fly-over. Many of the county and Central Florida area veteran service groups will be participating with Color Guards and military vehicles to give ‘Thanks’ to those who have served, continue to serve and to mourn with the family members. Hosted by City of Sanford and Seminole County Area Veterans Advisory Council (SCAVAC). Info: Jennifer at 407.688.5120,www. sanfordfl .gov
Fallen Floridians’ Memorial Cross Tribute – 11am – Ceremony – Started by the children of a local fallen soldier and formerly located at the Lawton House, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church is honored to display this Memorial of our Florida soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Jim Vanderbleek created the tribute to honor our Florida soldiers who died while serving Iraq and Afghanistan. Now this powerful memorial travels throughout the state of Florida. Persons are invited to walk amongst the crosses daily from 9am to 8am. 113 Lockwood Blvd. Oviedo, 32765. Info: 407-365-3231.
SUMTER COUNTY
Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell – 11am - 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, 33513. Traditional and touching ceremony. Guest speaker is US Congressman Daniel Webster, FL-11th District. Steve Jerve of WFLA News Channel 8 (Tampa) will be the Master of Ceremonies. There will be patriotic music prior to and during the ceremony. Patriotic songs during the ceremony will be performed by Linda Burnette and The Villages High School Choir. lsaac Bobonis will play taps. There will be a rifle salute and a presenting the nation's flag and flags from various military organizations. Ye Mystic Air Krewe will provide a flyover. Organizations with colors are invited to participate in the massing of colors at the beginning of the program and should plan to arrive by 9:30 am. The Avenue of Flags consists of approximately 400 flags. Persons attending need to arrive early and enjoy the patriotic and inspirational musical prelude which will begin shortly before the ceremony. Seating is limited, arrive early, wear comfortable clothing and bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit upon. Info: 352-793-7740 or 1074.
(Please keep in mind that construction on interstate l-75 could cause delays in entering the cemetery grounds.)
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Memorial Day Remembrance – 10am - at 550 North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, 32174. Colonel Frank Farmer, USAF will be the guest speaker; Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048 along with the Volusia Memorial Funeral Home and Park, wreath laying ceremony, Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins, music, Taps, all veterans honored, complimentary hot dogs, and much more. Open to the public - families invited. All Veteran Service Organizations are encouraged to attend and present a wreath. Info: Rod Phillips cobra101st@ gmail .com , 386.690.9553 or www. vva1048 .com
Deltona Memorial Day service -10am – Guest speaker USMC MSgt Paul Treusch (ret.) with a commemorative Air Force fly-over, memorial wreaths, presentation of colors by area veterans and affiliated community organizations. Sponsored by Veterans Community Education Partnership and Deltona Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery. Deltona Mem. Gardens, 1295 Saxon Blvd., Orange City. Free. Info: 386-775-4260.
Port Orange Memorial Ceremony - 10am –– The City of Port Orange holds the ceremony at the City Center Veterans Park across the lake from Port Orange City Hall, 1000 City Center Circle. VFW Post 3282 hosts with colors, speeches and the 21 gun salute. Free. Info: 386-506-5851.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED – There is a project to collect photographs of all the persons whose names are engraved on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. There are currently 24 heroes from Central Florida area who have no photographs. Help us locate one/some so that picture can accompany a name in the future Wall of Faces in the Vietnam Wall museum. They are:
Eugene Brown of Apopka; Gerald K. Brown of Maitland; Cary Craddock of Orlando; Joe A. Crutcher of Winter Park; William J. Deuerling of New Smyrna Beach; Michael G. Dinkins of Titusville; Randolph Eubanks of Cocoa; Tennis C. Ferrell of Orlando; Charlie Fields of Winter Garden; Robert L. Harter of Palm Bay; Sam Holmes Jr. of Sanford; Elijah Ingram of Cocoa; Eugene H. McKay III of Orlando; Charles Miller of Daytona; Daniel R. Partin of Christmas; Nathan E. Peacock Jr of Winter Garden; Paul M. Roberts of Melbourne Beach; Robert E. Thornton of Brevard; Malcolm R. True Jr of Cocoa; David Welch of Oakland; Maurice T. Williams of Ocala; Robert C. Williams of Orlando; Joseph Woodard of Winter Park; and Roger L. Young of Cocoa.
Help us locate their families and friends!
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Every effort has been made to include and provide correct information. Sincere apologies for errors or omissions. There may be some events that I am not aware of. Please check your various resources.
But most of all, attend and participate. Include our next generation so that the understanding of the importance of the day is not forgotten.
Freedom is not free.
Compiled by Cathy Haynes – with a little help from my friends
chaynes11629@ yahoo .com
Member/supporter/volunteer of numerous veterans and military organizations in Central Florida
