Fourth of July Heroes Boat Parade & Silent Auction Raised $12K for Veterans

On Thursday, July 4, Hernando Beach Yacht Club (HBYC) hosted the 3rd Annual Heroes Boat Parade and Silent Auction. This event celebrated the founding of our nation and honored our nation’s veterans. There were 19 entries in the parade as well as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Hernando County Fire Rescue, and Sheriff’s Office.

Leading the parade was the Island Rose provided by Marina Rose Enterprises, carrying the Grand Marshall Neal Bowling and his support dog. Also onboard were David Williams and the Hernando County Women Veterans group, founded by Jean Ware, USAF.

They gave out several awards, including Commodore’s Choice to Da Freaky Tiki (2) and American Mermaids – 24/7 Chiropractic Wellness & Rehab (15), Most Creative – Jason & Liz Milcendeau (3), Best Military – Bill & Gay Colleypriest (4), and Most Patriotic – the Hernando Beach Game Day Ladies (5)
HBYC held a watch party downstairs at the yacht club, with music by nationally touring country musician Chas Collins and BBQ by Hart’s Meat Market. Hart’s donated the food, allowing them to raise more money for charity.

Florida Veterans Foundation

The proceeds of the watch party, sponsors of the parade, auction, and raffle was given to the Florida Veterans Foundation, an organization that assists veterans in need. The Heroes Boat Parade raised $12,354.09 for the foundation.

“The Florida Veterans Foundation was established by the legislature in 2008 as a Direct Support Organization of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.” They work closely with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, filling in the gaps that veterans experience interacting with the Federal Veterans Affairs Department.

The Florida Veterans Foundation is also the recipient of the funds raised by the Florida Don’t Tread on Me Gadsden Flag License Plate. So far, they have received more than $800K in money from the plates.
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs operates eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility. It is also working on providing dental care for veterans who cannot afford it.

Chief Operating Officer of the Florida Veterans Foundation Raymond L. Miller spoke at a dinner celebrating the success of the boat parade. He stated, “Florida Veterans Foundation takes care of dental for every veteran that needs it in the nursing homes, from the state of Florida. And right now, there’s an expansion that’s getting ready to take place.”

This is a great benefit for veterans who cannot afford dental care. Miller explained, “The VA will not take care of dental unless you were injured, a POW or 100 percent disabled. And those are the only three ways you can have dental taken care of other than temporarily. But that’s what this program is meant to address, its first in the nation.”