Vet takes Patrick AFB to task over POW/MIA table

12 Pages·2014·12.56 MB·English

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VOL. 2/ISSUE 24 THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Vet takes Patrick AFB to
task over POW/MIA table
Mary Kemper
staff writer
[email protected]
“I was mad,” Mike Tarter said.
“I just had to do something about
it.”
The former Air Force master
sergeant and Vietnam veteran,
64, is a Goshen, Ohio, native who
stays at the Patrick Air Force
Base campground every year with
his wife, Gerry.
Last year, he said, he had an
unpleasant surprise when he
went to eat at the base’s Riverside
Dining Facility.
The POW/MIA Missing Man
Table was … missing.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” he
said at the recent Valiant Air
Command’s TICO Warbird Muse-
um Airshow, Titusville.
“They told me it had to do with
the Bible,” Tarter said, noting
that he had discovered the Bi-
ble missing from the display last
year, which prompted him to
investigate. “But to take away the
whole table?”
Staff photo by Mary Kemper
Since then, he has made it a
Retired Air Force MSgt. Mike Tarter has challenged the removal of the POW/MIA Missing Man Table from the Riverside Dining
mission to make sure POWs and
Facility at Patrick Air Force Base, and made it a mission to see it reinstated.
MIAs are not disrespected.
For those who may be unfa- Shortly after discovering the News Monday ([March 31) that Evidently, the base rethought
miliar with the symbolism, each table was missing, Tarter wrote the entire Missing Man Table its decision, and issued the
POW/MIA Missing Man Table is a letter to base commanders display had been removed from a following statement both to Fox
set with specific items, and the strongly objecting to its removal. dining hall because of the Bible,” News and Florida Today, which
table itself represents a table set According to published reports, wrote Fox News’ Todd Starnes. had also run a story:
by loved ones awaiting the return the Bible was removed due to “A press statement said the “The 45th Space Wing deeply
of those missing in war. One of “someone” complaining about it. inclusion of the Bible ignited
the items on the table is a Bible. “Base officials confirmed to Fox ‘controversy and division.’” See TABLE page 8
“Hundreds of thousands (of veterans) over the next
few years are going to be looking for jobs. We’ve got to
take care of them.”
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1041
first vice president Ed Maxwell
“Opportunities galaore for vets at job fair,” page 4
2 • APRIL 17, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
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Help wanted: You can be a
part of the Vero Beach Air Show
fOr VeteraN VOiCe
Todd Howder, Patrick Graham, Marc
Richardson, Rorie Ainbinder, Cory
TREASURE COAST — Mem-
Richter, Brian Holmes, Anthony
bers of the community are hard
Samons, Eric Menger, Ellen Ross,
at work planning the Vero Beach
Marty Zickert, Leslie Spurlock, Rob-
Air Show to be held at the Vero
ert Paugh, and Laurie Collings are
Beach Municipal Airport Satur-
busy planning the 2014 Vero Beach
day, May 10, and Sunday, May
Air Show to be held May 10-11.
11. Board members include Pres-
ident Todd Howder, vice presi-
dent Anthony Samons, secretary
Laurie Collings, treasurer Patrick
Graham, and directors Ellen Ross
and Martin Zickert. Robert Paugh
is director of operations, and Cory
Richter is director of emergency
services and security. Rick Gris-
som is the producer/director of
the show, Wayne Boggs is the air
boss, and Sonny Everett is the
narrator.
The stars of the show will be the Photo courtesy
Blue Angels, the elite U.S. Navy of Jan Binney
Flight Demonstration Team. Vero
Beach is fortunate to be one of
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also feature static displays, he- News Channel 5, Paris Air Inc.,
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Sponsorship opportunities are Mall. Special discounted tickets
still available; all the details about for active and retired members of
how to become a sponsor of the the military are at the Victory Cen-
show are also at the website. Ac- ter until May 7. Tickets may also
cording to Ellen Ross, the spon- be purchased online. All parking
sorship chair, it’s not too late to is free; handicapped parking is
Photo courtesy of Jan Binney
consider becoming a sponsor of available.
Blue Angel No. 7 U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ryan Chamberlain, Blue Angel No. 8 and Event
the show. Ross can be reached at Vero Beach Air Show Inc. is a
Coordinator Lieutenant Commander Michael Cheng discuss the Vero Beach Air Show
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4 • APRIL 17, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Opportunities galore for vets
at job fair on college campus
culture shock. It’s hard to find
Mary Kemper
civilians who understand.”
staff writer
At the Vet Centers, he said, re-
[email protected]
turning veterans know they’ll be
helped by their own.
“This is really good,” one veteran
Diaz said he works in tandem
was overheard to say to a friend.
with county veterans’ services
“I’ve probably applied to like, 10
offices; at the table next to his,
places here already.”
Tony Reese, of the Martin County
Billed as being “veteran pref-
Veterans’ Services Office, fielded
erence,” the Job Fair held April
9 at Indian River State College
“Hundreds of thousands (of
Chastain Campus, Stuart, hosted
veterans) over the next few
representatives from more than
years are going to be looking
40 businesses, government agen-
for jobs. We’ve got to take care
cies and nonprofit organizations.
of them.”
They offered jobs in fields rang-
ing from kennel staff at The Fur
Vietnam Veterans of America
Seasons, to machinists at Para-
Chapter 1041
digm Precision, both of Stuart.
first vice president Ed Maxwell
Members of Vietnam Veterans
Association of America Chap-
ter 1041, Martin County, took a
numerous inquiries from attend-
leading role in organizing the Job
ees on benefits “many vets don’t
Fair.
Staff photo by Mary Kemper even know they’re eligible for,”
“I’d say there’s been better than
Jed Wood, left, a manager at Whiticar Boat Works, and Jim Dragseth, owner and pres- Reese said.
100 show up so far,” said Frank
ident, man a table at the Job Fair conducted at Indian River State College Chastain In turn, Reese’s office works
Tidikis, treasurer of VVA Chap-
Campus, Stuart, April 9. closely with VVA Chapter 1041 to
ter 1041 and coordinator of the
help veterans in need.
chapter’s Job Fair participation.
“They (Veterans’ Services) are
“It’s a good crowd. We’re glad to but found I got tired of it,” he “But I’m trained in IT, so there’s
a tremendous service,” said Ed
see it.” said. “And then I drove a pro- that, too.”
Maxwell, VVA Chapter 1041 first
Veterans from the Vietnam era pane truck for many years. So Magill added praise for the vet-
vice president.
to the present were plentiful I’m looking for something similar erans of VVA Chapter 1041. “It’s
The former Army infantry cap-
among the jobseekers. here today.” so good they made this possible
tain said the chapter often gets
Steve Lewis, an Army Signal Michael Magill, Palm City, served for us. I’m going to thank them
calls from needy vets, which he
Corps veteran of the Vietnam era, in the Navy in the Gulf War. “I’d personally,” he said.
forwards directly to Reese.
recently moved to Port St. Lucie really like to get into helping Steve Kerruish, an Army veteran
“How many calls would you say
from Dagsboro, Del. veterans, doing vocational coun- of the Gulf War, said he was “just
we’ve sent along to you in the last
“I was in sales for a long time, seling, things like that,” he said. looking in general — I’ve never
year, Tony?” he asked Reese.
been to a job fair. This is great.”
“Jeeze, over 100,” Reese an-
Jobs aplenty were on offer for
swered. “Probably hundreds.”
these and other veterans. Howev-
Maxwell said when veterans
v v Theodore Wilson er, people were on hand to help
eteran oice call the chapter, the call goes to
Publisher veterans with more than just
voicemail — but the voicemails
job-seeking.
Steve Erlanger automatically alert on Maxwell’s
Partner Raul Diaz, Ph.D., is a major in
Th e Voice of Experience email, so they are answered
the Army Reserves, and served in
Tammy Raits quickly and forwarded to Reese.
Veteran Voice is a newspaper for veterans, both Iraq and Afghanistan. Under
Managing Editor “There is an emergency response
acti ve military, their families and their friends. the auspices of the Veterans Ad-
Debbi Denning ministration, he is a clinical psy- fund available (through the
Veteran Voice is published weekly by Veteran Voice, LLC. Adverti sing Consultant county),” Maxwell said. “It’s not
chologist who works at the Jupi-
1919 SW South Macedo Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984
big money — but it’s enough to
[phone] Offi ce • [phone] Fax Kelly Delprete ter and Palm Beach Vet Centers.
Adverti sing Consultant Their mission is to help returning help out someone in a jam, who
can’t pay their rent, their electric,
SUBSCRIBE TODAY Mary Kemper veterans cope with every kind of
Staff Writer/ readjustment issue. There is also whatever, temporarily.”
Marketi ng Consultant A good job ranks high on the
$18 YEAR (52 weeks) a Vet Center in Melbourne.
scale for returning veterans
$12 Veterans or Acti ve Military Patrick McCallister “We only counsel combat veter-
Staff Writer ans and their families,” he said. seeking to become civilians once
again. And there are a lot of them
For more informati on on distributi on and subscripti ons Nicole Rodriguez “There can be a tendency for
— and many more to come.
of this newspaper, please call our main offi ce Staff Writer veterans to ‘bunker up’ — to iso-
Maxwell said that’s why his
[phone] Shelley Koppel late themselves when they return chapter wanted to become in-
Staff Writer home. When they come back, it’s
volved in the Job Fair.
or contact us by email at: [email protected]
Mitch Kloorfain “Let me tell you about the reduc-
POSTAL STATEMENT Chief Photographer “It’s so good they made this tion in force the government is
Veteran Voice (USPS# 9749, ISSN 23302267) is published weekly by Eric Macon possible for us. I’m going to involved in,” he said.
Veteran Voice LLC, 1919 SW South Macedo Blvd, Port St Lucie, Graphic Designer thank them personally.” “If you serve 20 years, you’re
FL 34984. Periodicals Postage Paid at Ft Pierce, FL OK. If you serve 15 years, you
Phil Galdys
Director of Operati ons Gulf War veteran and Job Fair may get a partial retirement. But
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: attendee
Donna Marinak
Veteran Voice, 1919 SW South Macedo Blvd, Port St Lucie, FL 34984 Michael Magill, Palm City
HR/Accounti ng Manager See FAIR page 5
VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • APRIL 17, 2014 • 5
FAIR from page 4 Tony Reese, left, Veterans’ Services
Officer for Martin County, and Raul Diaz,
Ph.D., team leader at the Jupiter and
if you serve less than 15 years,
Palm Beach Vet Centers, man tables at
chances are, you’re out.
the Job Fair conducted at Indian River
“They’re reviewing all the occu-
State College Campus, Stuart, April 9.
pational specialties to see where
there might be overstaffing,” he
said.
“Now, I’ve only heard this anec-
dotally, but I’m hearing it: If you
step slightly out of line, you’ll be
one of the first ones kicked out.
“Hundreds of thousands over
the next few years are going to be
looking for jobs. We’ve got to take
care of them.”
And, judging from the enthusi-
asm of the would-be employers
at the Job Fair, there are plenty
of jobs they’re eager to staff with
veterans.
Staff photo
Once such company is Whiticar
by Mary Kemper
Boat Works, based in Stuart.
Jim Dragseth, owner and pres-
ident, was there with one of the to the trades,” Dragseth said. He on that one table alone. Executives, and Scripps Circula-
managers, Jed Wood. pointed to a list of skills posted “Plus, it helps us promote our tion.
“We would love to hire veter- on his table: electronics, engine industry, while helping veterans Tidikis said VVA Chapter 1041
ans,” Dragseth said. Wood added, repair, engineering, and service find jobs, so that’s a win-win,” helps coordinate job fairs twice a
“We’ve already got a large per- writing, in logistics departments Wood said. year.
centage of them in-house.” in garages and warehouses. In addition to hosting employer “It’s so important,” he said. “We
Why veterans? In fact, Dragseth was at the tables, the fair offered free work- do this to try and reach as many
“They’ve already gotten the train- Job Fair representing not only shops on resume writing and people as we possibly can.”
ing, the discipline and the struc- his own company, but affiliated interviewing tips, including one- Needy veterans, or those seeking
ture we’re looking for as good members of the Marine Industry on-one coaching. information in Martin County, can
employees,” Dragseth said. of the Treasure Coast, having Along with VVA Chapter 1041, call VVA Chapter 1041 at (772)
“They’re team-oriented,” Wood agreed to put out information on the fair’s other partners included 678-0025, or Tony Reese at (772)
said, and Dragseth nodded agree- its various members’ opportuni- the United Way, Martin County 288-5448. For more information
ment. ties at his table. Library, Indian River State Col- on the VA’s Vet Centers, call Diaz
“A lot of people don’t think of The potential jobs open to veter- lege, Martin County Veterans’ at [phone].
recreational boating as belonging ans increased by thousands, just Services, Senior Corps of Retired
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6 • APRIL 17, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
G
N VA reminds vets to
TI
C C E P O N S! Come flourish!
W A A TI
N O E R V create or update
S
E
R
advance directives
erans to select substitute health-
Patrick McCallister
care decision-makers to contact
fOr VeteraN VOiCe
if they’re unable to communicate
[email protected]
healthcare wishes, and to give ad-
vance directives that’ll be on their
It’s a possibility nobody likes medical files.
AL License Pending considering: being unable to com- “What we find is a reluctance,
Assisted Living municate when a major health- because it’s something that’s a
care decision — that could liter- little uncomfortable to talk about,
ally be a matter of life and death to think about,” Dill said. “Once
— has to be made. we explain what an advance
But it’s important to consider. directive is, they’ll tell us sto-
“You can imagine a family ries about someone needing an
called in a moment of stress, and advance directive and didn’t have
they’re trying to work out in their one.”
minds what Dad would want,” While numbers specific to the VA
said Stephanie Dill, social worker are not available, Dill said sur-
at the West Palm Beach Depart- veys have repeatedly found that
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical less than half of severely or termi-
Center. nally ill individuals have advance
On Wednesday, April 16, VA directives in their medical files.
medical facilities participated According to www.nhdd.org even
in the seventh annual National when people have written ad-
Healthcare Decisions Day. Many
of the VA’s medical facilities will
have kiosks with folks urging vet- See DIRECTIVES page 10
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VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • APRIL 17, 2014 • 7
St. Lucie hopes Tradition land donation
will get state veteran home in town
requesting letters of interest back from them. Murray said the FDVA has the needed
Patrick McCallister
“Eight of the 10 counties did send us letters money for its share to go forward with build-
fOr VeteraN VOiCe
of intent telling us they were interested in ing a state veterans nursing home, because
[email protected]
bidding,” Murray said in a previous interview. of changes the legislature made to its trust
Murray said that St. Lucie and Palm Beach funds last session. The trust has about $47
A possible donation from the Tradition Land
counties were in that list. Palm Beach didn’t million.
Company might make Port St. Lucie home of
send a letter of intent. Others on the list were “It will be from a trust fund for this home,”
the next state veteran nursing home. St. Luc-
Lee, Collier, Polk, Manatee, Hillsborough, he said. “No general revenue will be used for
ie County is making the bid to get the facility
Marion, Putnam and Sumter. this home.”
when it’s built.
Among other things, the state veterans The governor’s proposed 2014-2015 budget
“Tradition has agreed to donate a 28.5 acre
department operates six nursing homes with included an additional $20 million, for a total
site,” Wayne Teegardin, veterans services
120 beds each, and an assisted living facility of $111 million, to the FDVA. Part of that is
manager, said. “It appears to be the best fit
with 150. The nursing homes are, by far, the for construction of two new veterans homes.
for the criteria (the state) put out.”
FDVA’s largest function. It’s most likely that the state will only be able
Tod Mowery, county commissioner, said that
The closest veteran nursing home to the to build one this upcoming fiscal year, which
the donation hasn’t been completed.
Treasure Coast is the Alexander “Sandy” goes from July to June.
“We’re hoping it’ll all come through togeth-
Nininger Veterans’ Nursing Home, 8401 W. Teegardin said there are numerous reasons
er,” he said. “We’re working on a contract.”
Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines. The next Tradition, St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast
Veteran Voice attempted to reach the de-
closest is the Emory L. Bennett State Vet- would benefit from a veterans facility.
velopment company for comment, but was
erans’ Nursing Home, 1920 Mason Ave., “They’re supposed to hire around 190 people
unsuccessful by press time.
Daytona Beach. Bennett was built in 1993, to run it, in addition to the construction jobs
During its 2013 session, the Florida Legisla-
Nininger in 2001. it’ll create,” he said.
ture approved about $100,000 for an inde-
Murray said the last home was built in 2010. The home would serve veterans for about a
pendent study to determine whether a new
That was the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ 75-mile radius. Teegardin said that makes
veteran nursing home was needed, and if so
Nursing Home in St. Augustine. That home Tradition an ideal location for a veterans
where it should go. Gov. Rick Scott and the
cost about $30 million to build. The state home.
Florida Cabinet considered the study, which
paid about 35 percent of the costs. The fed- “(The local) 75-mile radius is estimated to
Health Strategies did, at a February meeting
eral Department of Veterans Affairs — which have 211,647 veterans in it,” he said “Of
in Tampa.
is separate from the state veterans agency — those, 112,758 are over age 65, which is the
Steve Murray, communications director at
paid about 65 percent. target of the nursing home.”
the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs,
Other homes are in Land O’ Lakes, Panama Competing counties will make presentations
said that the governor and cabinet opted to
City and Port Charlotte. The assisted living to the state in May. A decision and construc-
send letters to the top 10 counties the study
facility is in Lake City. tion timetable will be announced after.
identified as good places for veterans homes
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8 • APRIL 17, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
22nd Annual
Are you a disabled vet?
United Veterans By Ken Pruitt The discount will be the
Saint Lucie County Property percentage of your disability
Golf Classic Appraiser applied against the ad valor-
em taxes owed.
Do you know about the • Age 65 or older
Fair Winds different property tax exemp- • Disabled in combat
tions available to disabled • Honorable discharge
Golf Course veterans?
There is a $5,000 service There is also a property tax
Sat. April 26th connected disability exemp- exemption for deployed active
tion for Florida residents who duty military personnel.
are honorably discharged Those who qualify are active
7:15 am check in veterans with a service con- military personnel who claim
nected disability rating of at a homestead exemption and
8:30 am Shotgun Start
least 10 percent may qualify who were deployed to certain
Four Person Scramble $100/pp for this exemption. If filing military operations during the
for the first time, you will be previous calendar year.
Range Balls • Continental Breakfast asked to present a current Honorably discharged vet-
United Veterans Golf Hat • Lunch Buffet • Raffles & More! letter from the Veterans Ad- erans who qualify for home-
ministration. The stead exemption, certified by
un-remarried surviving the federal government with
100% of all funds raised are spouse of a disabled veter- a service-connected total and
an may also qualify for this permanent disability, may be
used for veterans service exemption if married at least eligible for total exemption.
five years at the time of the
veteran’s death. For additional information
Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Last place teams. There is also a permanently about property tax exemp-
disabled veteran’s property tions, please visit our website
fewest putts, longest drive and closest to the pin.
tax discount on homestead at www.paslc.org or contact
01 property. the Property Appraiser’s Office
772-342-2653 4
Call to register 10 Veterans who meet the at [phone] or visit the
following specific criteria and Fort Pierce office at
or for more information have a qualified homestead 2300 Virginia Ave. or the
exemption may be eligible for Port Saint Lucie office at
United Veterans of
an ad valorem tax discount. 1664 S.E. Walton Road.
St. Lucie County, Inc.
a 501 (C) 3 tax exempt veterans organization
TABLE from page 1 “They told me it had to do with the Bible. But to take away the when the tables evolved. Tarter
whole table?” said he didn’t understand how
desires to honor America’s Pris- anyone could be offended by it.
oners and War (POW) and Miss- Retired Army MSgt. Mike Tarter Currently, there are no official,
ing in Action (MIA) personnel. Un- Vietnam veteran defense-based regulations gov-
fortunately, the Bible’s presence erning the tables.
symbolic. In Tarter’s letter, he “The salt on the bread plate is
or absence on the table at the A bipartisan bill is currently in
explained them: symbolic of the of the family’s
Riverside Dining Facility ignited a U.S. Senate committee (S2053)
“The table is round to show our tears as they wait. Remember
controversy and division, dis- which would enact a commemo-
everlasting concern for our miss- them!
tracting from the table’s primary rative chair memorial in Washing-
ing men and women. Remember “The Bible represents the
purpose of honoring POWs/MIAs. ton, D.C., to honor all prisoners
them! strength gained through faith
Consequently, we temporarily of war and missing in action.
“The table is set for one, which to sustain those lost from our
replaced the table with the POW/ A list of all prisoners and those
symbolizes the frailty of one pris- country, founded as “One Nation
MIA flag in an effort to show our missing in action from all wars,
oner against his/her oppressors. Under God!” Remember them!
continued support of these he- beginning with the American Rev-
Remember them! “The glass is inverted because
roes while seeking an acceptable olution, can be viewed at www.
“The table cloth is white, which they cannot toast with us. Re-
gmasw.com/pow_list.htm
solution to the controversy. After
symbolizes the purity of their member them!
consultation with several relevant (Editor’s note: The list does not
intentions to respond to their “The candle is reminiscent of
include Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl,
organizations, we now intend
country’s call to arms. Remember the light of hope which lives in
Alaska, who is being held by the
to re-introduce the POW/MIA
them! our hearts to illuminate their way
Taliban in Afghanistan.)
table in a manner inclusive of all
“The single rose displayed in a home, away from their captors,
POWs/MIAs as well as Americans Tarter said he’s sent his letter
vase reminds us of the families and into the arms of a grateful
everywhere.” to the commanders of several Air
and loved ones of our comrades nation. Remember them!
As of press time, the pub- Force bases, the secretaries of all
in arms who are keeping the faith “The chair is empty; they are
lic affairs office at Patrick AFB four armed services, the secretary
awaiting their return. Remember not here. Remember them!”
declined to answer repeated of defense and even the presi-
them! The language of the statement
requests for clarification from Vet- dent.
“The red ribbon so prominently by Patrick AFB is vague as to
eran Voice. “The letter includes lots of sig-
tied on the vase, is reminiscent of which items may be included.
However, Florida Today’s R. natures” from fellow veterans, he
the red ribbon worn on the label Will the Bible be one of these?
Norman Moody wrote, “(Com- said.
and breast of the thousands who “Probably the Bible won’t go
manders) said Friday (March 28) He made it clear he will monitor
bear witness to their unyielding back on,” Tarter said. And, if
that the table would again be dis- Patrick AFB and the replacement
determination to a proper ac- that’s the case, “I’ll go on asking
played at Riverside, but they did of the POW/MIA table.
counting of our missing. Remem- where the Bible is.”
not specify a time for the reintro-
ber them! By tradition, the table has
For more information on efforts
duction of the table or what items
“A slice of lemon on the bread always included a Bible as part
to bring prisoners and the missing
will or will not be included on it.”
plate is to remind us of their bit- of its symbolic message, since
home, visit www.pow-miafamilies.
Each item on the POW/MIA
ter fate. Remember them! shortly after the Vietnam war,
org.
Missing Man Table is deeply
VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • APRIL 17, 2014 • 9
Firefighter cyclists get heroes’
welcome at SEAL museum
New York. “All of us wanted to show our
Mary Kemper
At each stop on their route, the support for the Navy SEALs.
staff writer
firefighters spoke on local media, They’ve sacrificed so
[email protected]
helping to raise awareness of the much for us.”
Trident House, and sold T-shirts
Even before the bicyclists rolled
to help raise money for the house. FDNY firefighter and cyclist
onto the grounds, the hundreds
Before the official welcome, Salvatore Torcivia
waiting for them started cheering.
which included an FDNY Honor
On a bright, sunny April 5, the
Guard bearing the colors, rider
13 firefighters from the Fire De- you can get one of these for
Salvatore Torcivia, 48, a fire-
partment of New York were weary $500,” Kaiser joked.
fighter with Engine 16, Ladder 7,
after their 15-day, 1,400-plus There was much laughter and
Manhattan, reflected on the ride.
mile trip from New York to Fort hugging among the firefighters
“It was great – I really enjoyed
Pierce, but they grinned, waved and their SEAL hosts as the bot-
it,” he said.
and shot fists into the air. tles were handed out, and appre-
He noted the extreme differences
Their mission: to show support ciation from the riders examining
in weather between his home and
for the National Navy-UDT SEAL the plaques.
here.
Museum, North Hutchinson In his closing remarks, Kaiser
“Yesterday really kicked our
Island, and Memorial’s Trident grew serious.
butt, with the wind and the heat,”
House, and to bring a piece of “We have a strong brotherhood
he said. “But as you can see, we
history to the museum. with these firefighters,” he said.
made it!”
Along with them, on a trailer, “They lost a lot of their own on
Torcivia has been a firefighter for
was a piece of a structural I-beam 9/11 – and the SEALs have lost
15 years, and was a police officer
retrieved from the wreckage of the 90 men since then.
in New York previously.
World Trade Center after Sept. “This effort has only made our
Staff photo by Mary Kemper
11, 2001. relationship stronger. This piece
“All of us wanted to show our Salvatore Torcivia, of Engine 16, Ladder
“About four months ago, I was of steel – that’s exactly what we’re
support for the Navy SEALs. 7, Manhattan, Fire Department of New
approached by Kevin McCormick all fighting for.”
They’ve sacrificed so much for York, was one of the 13 firefighters who
(Engine 9, Ladder 6, Manhattan) Along with the firefighters and
us,” he said. rode from New York City’s World Trade
with the idea of this bike ride,” their New York entourage were lo-
And, in addition to bringing the Center to the National Navy-UDT Muse-
said museum executive director cal organizations, some of whom
I-beam from the World Trade um and Memorial, North Hutchinson Is-
Rick Kaiser, in his remarks to the provided escort duty, like the St.
crowd. Center, the firefighters present- land, Fort Pierce, arriving April 5. Lucie County Fire Department
ed the Trident House with two
“I said, ‘Are you nuts?’ But they and Legion Riders Chapter 39,
bicycles, donated by Schwinn, for
were serious. And just like the Vero Beach.
guests to use, and commemora-
Post Office, they came through your brothers. SEALs are out Legion Rider Paul Kliemisch,
tive T-shirts for Kaiser and his
snow, sleet and rain to get here, there doing that every single day.” Vero Beach, and his wife, Sher-
staff.
to support us and to support the After McCormick received his yl, were two who assisted in the
McCormick, as the leader of the
Trident House. plaque, Kaiser called up each event.
riders, was given a plaque by his
“Right now, they’re walking like of the firefighters by name. He “We escorted (the riders) from
fellow firefighters.
cowboys,” Kaiser joked. “I don’t then presented the riders with a Trident House,” Kliemisch said.
“It was a huge emotional and
think they’ll be getting back on specially designed SEAL plaque, “And we did traffic duty, so they
physical thing,” McCormick said
bikes anytime soon.” containing porthole and trident didn’t have to stop for lights.”
of the ride. “Everything imagin-
The Trident House, located along symbols. Navy veteran Allessandro Ama-
able happened. We battled all
the Indian River in Sebastian, of- “But, here’s something you ral came with a contingent from
the elements. But we got such
fers a refuge for families of SEALs might like a little better,” Kaiser the Vero Beach Cycle Club. “I
an overwhelming response from
who have lost their lives, injured said – and then presented the rid- wouldn’t have missed this for the
everyone all along the way.
SEALs and their families, or other ers with specially commemorated world,” he said.
“And to us, bringing this piece of
military members in need. bottles of Jack Daniel’s sour- And members of the FDNY Flori-
steel – that was the most import-
As a courtesy, some of the mash bourbon whisky, whose da Retirees, Martin and St. Lucie
ant thing.
firefighters stayed at the Trident labels bore SEAL-themed logos.
“We know what it’s like to put
House before their trip back to “For the rest of you out there, See SEALS page 10
your life on the line, and to lose
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10 • APRIL 17, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Help cover Blue Angels to
SEALS from page 9
Division, also came to show
Vero Beach Air Show their support. Many of them
are military veterans, as well
as former firefighters.
“I have such pride in the
FDNY – these guys are really
Indian River County Veterans Council, “The out-
fOr VeteraN VOiCe something,” said Army veteran
of-pocket expenses necessary to host the Blue
Tom White, who divides his
Angels will likely reach $40,000.”
PATRIOT MISSION launches www.PatriotWeek- time between Bayside, N. Y.,
The issue is not whether the Air Show can cover
end.com to help raise $40,000 to cover the out-of- and Port St. Lucie.
the costs; the question is what will be left to give
pocket expenses to bring the Blue Angels to the “It’s nice that the coat of
to the charities.
Vero Beach Air Show on May 10-11. armor is still shining, and not
To help raise $40,000 to cover these costs, PA-
Most people think the government picks up dull. That’s a good thing.”
TRIOT MISSION designed a strategy that appeals
the tab when the Blue Angels come to town. Not Army Korean War veteran
to small business sponsors, since many smaller
exactly. Washington only covers the cost of jets, Dan Dooley, who divides his
companies do not have branding budgets to sup-
gas, pilots, crew and some travel expenses. Vero time between Mount Sinai,
Beach has to pay for many expenses including port events like the Air Show. Small businesses Long Island, N.Y., and Stuart,
need to invest marketing dollars into campaigns said, “This brings back such
transporting military ground equipment to sup-
that will produce tangible products or services memories.
port the F/A 18 fighter jets. This misconception
that can directly drive traffic to their product or “There’s a proud hook be-
is one reason business sponsorships for our air
service. tween the FDNY and the Navy
show are much lower than expected.
PATRIOT MISSION’s creative plan honors Amer- SEALs. They truly deserve
The Blue Angels’ performance is a thunderous
ica’s Veterans, raises funds for the Air Show and each other.”
display of United States military might as well as
produces custom video content for a local com- Kaiser said the I-beam will be
a reminder of the veterans who have served our
pany to use on their website, email promotions developed into a special me-
nation.
or stand-alone DVDs. The video production can morial at the museum in the
also be used to record family, community or other coming weeks.
Hosting the Blue
personal content. “I hope we’re able to show
For more information, go to www.PatriotWeekend. these guys (the FDNY) just
Angels and the other fantastic performers will be
com how much what they’ve done
great for Vero Beach. Ultimately, the big financial
PATRIOT MISSION Inc. is a Florida-based for-prof- means to us,” Kaiser said. “It’s
benefit should go to the charities like the Veter-
it corporation. For more information on the pretty hard to put into words.
ans Council and Exchange Clubs. Sadly, they will
Best-selling book, “The PATRIOT MISSION Story,” It’s incredible.
be the big losers if sponsorships don’t pick quick- including interviews or speaking engagements; “But I do know that we have a
ly and substantially. go to http://www.PatriotMission.com or call toll strong bond, and what they’ve
Retired Col. Martin Zickert, Vero Beach Air Show free 855-To-Rebuild [phone]. done just makes it stronger.”
board member and president of
$ DIRECTIVES from page 6 ents, grandchildren or grandpar-
ents, then other relatives, such as
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a I tective hats on when there’s no
W T directives) in a safe place, but
m H (healthcare-decision) surrogate
0 it’s too safe,” Dill said. “We want
u T everybody to know about this.” and find those people who are
e H closest.”
s The Patient Self-Determination
u IS Act, a 1990 law, requires many Spouses, Dill said, are not al-
M ways the best healthcare decision
AO healthcare providers to give
D patients information about ad- surrogates.
“I had a veteran say, right in
vanced healthcare directives. The
F front of his wife, he said, ‘I love
VA is among them. It has forms
her with all my heart, but she’s
to help patients craft advance
3 Display Hangars F medical directives. not going to do what I want’” Dill
said. “She laughed, and said,
Over 30 Aircraft Dill said that in the absence of a
named healthcare decision-mak- ‘You’re right.’”
Dill said that National Health-
Memorabilia A er, the VA has a strict default
care Decision Day was a good
priority list of who can make
Free Guided Tours time for folks who’ve made ad-
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[phone] • www.vacwarbirds.org for o Your Voice News & Views and portation services for veterans to
Special Event Venues Available r cashffers.n Vtheatet rtahne VUonicitee din Vcoertreercatnlys sotfa Stet.d rfoerc eAivper iml 2e0d.i cIta lw ciallr tea, kwea psl asclaet eSda t-
Lucie County Annual Golf Tour- urday, April 26, at Fairwinds Golf
8
38 nament, 100 percent of the pro- Course, Fort Pierce. We apologize
0
1 ceeds of which go to fund trans- for any inconvenience.