This past weekend, anyone who wanted to enjoy some outdoor or indoor fun had an abundance of choices. There were at least six events going on from Nov. 9 through Nov. 11 to honor veterans and raise money for various veteran causes.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, Lowman Law Firm and Brooksville Main Street co-sponsored a Veterans Music Festival. There were two stages with live music, a family fun zone, arts and crafts booths, and, of course, a wide variety of food to purchase.
A number of veterans’ organizations had tables set up with brochures and representatives to talk about their various programs. Buick GMC Brooksville sponsored The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Museum.
Dawn Triconi, Executive Director of Brooksville Main Street, commented, “The Veterans Music Festival was a resounding success, bringing the community together in celebration of our nation’s veterans.”
Later that evening, the Nature Coast Parrot Head Club sponsored a huge fundraiser for Veterans HEAT Factory (VHF). More than 250 people attended the Dancing Through the Decade’s bash, all to raise money for VHF’s mission of helping Veterans and First Responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress. The program, which is going on its eighth year, receives no government grants and relies on private and some corporate donations, as well as fundraisers like this to operate. There are no paid employees, just volunteers who donate hundreds of hours a year performing such duties as counseling, office work, maintaining their website and PR. And there is no cost to the Veterans and First Responders and their families. Log onto www.veteransheatfactory.com for more details about these services or to volunteer or donate to the organization.
A local band, “Yearbook,” entertained the crowd with music from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The quartet is composed of RCA recording artists Lenny Emanuelli, Michael Morelli, Mike Dunning and Kit Rich. Alex D. handles the sound.
The Parrot Heads is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of clubs all over the world. Their motto is “Party with a Purpose.” The local club has more than 300 members and approximately 100 to 150 of them meet once a month at the Drunken Mullet on Hernando Beach. The club holds about 20 fundraisers throughout the year, each one supporting a local non-profit organization. For more information on the organization, go to www.naturecoastphc.com.
The Aripeka Elks Club was the venue for Saturday evening’s bash. The Elks Club donated the use of its large banquet hall, while various businesses and individuals donated gift baskets that were raffled off.
In thanking all the people responsible for the fundraiser, Gus Guadagnino, founder and CEO of Veterans HEAT Factory, stated, “Hundreds of Veterans and first responders and their families have been helped by our program. We never turn away anybody. And it’s because of beautiful people like you who come out to these events or volunteer their time that we’ve been able to keep our doors open.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10209 in Spring Hill held its annual solemn remembrance of our men and women in uniform on Monday, Nov. 11. Originally called Armistice Day, this year marks the 86th anniversary of this day being declared a holiday by an act of Congress in 1938. This holiday signifies the declaration of peace that occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the armistice with Germany went into effect, ending World War I.
The VFW’s ceremony was marked by the reading of prayers and inspirational messages, as well as several patriotic songs. John Coleman, a Navy veteran, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and Chaplain André Pierce, also a Navy veteran, gave the Invocation. Santiago Pinckney, a Senior at Springstead High School, sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Later in the program, he sang two other songs−”American Soldiers” by Toby Keith and “I’m Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood.
Gaye Hieb, Community Outreach Chaplain of the VFW Auxiliary and the widow of a veteran, recited “A Prayer for Veterans.” Chaplain Pat Laycock read the poem “Soldiers of America.” Then, a representative of each of the armed services, in turn, recited prayers particular to their branch of the military−Ken Michael and Patrick Paton for the Army and the Marine Corps, respectively; Michael Hory and Bob Lindman, representing the Navy and Air Force, respectively; and Bill Koenig representing the Coast Guard.
George Coon, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was honored with a presentation of a Quilt of Valor, handmade by the Quilters of the Nature Coast. Debbie Nastelli presented the quilt to Mr. Coon.
Gigi Seiler from the VFW Auxiliary and Lauire Michael from the American Legion Auxiliary laid a wreath in front of the podium as a fitting conclusion to the ceremony. Chaplain Ted Ryon, an Army veteran, read the closing prayer.
It is ceremonies such as this that help us remember why we celebrate this day−that it’s not just a chance to have a day off−and to recognize the importance of the men and women, living and deceased, who have sacrificed so much to keep our country free.
[Photo by Sarah Nachin]
[Photo by Sarah Nachin]
