Angels Land in Vero from Far and Wide to Gather at Brevard Reunion
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
35 cents VOL. 2/ISSUE 28 THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 Vets flock Angels land in Vero from far and wide to gather at Brevard reunion Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER [email protected] It was a weekend for meeting up with old friends, enjoying good food and music — but most importantly, paying trib- ute to fellow veterans. Tens of thousands attended the Florida Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard Reunion in Melbourne’s Wickham Park through Sunday, May 4, a gathering that marked its 27th year. Though the opening ceremony took place on Saturday, May 3, events began on April 27 when the Traveling Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall was emplaced on the park grounds. On April 28, the presentation of wreaths was made, and the opening ceremony for the Wall was conducted. Live music and a wide as- sortment of vendors filled the days until Saturday’s opening ceremony, which included a Massing of the Colors. Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer U.S. Navy Blue Angles crew chief Bill Asbury signed autographs for the aerobatic flight team’s fan base at the Vero Beach Air Show Saturday, May, 10 in Vero Beach. See REUNION page 2 2 • MAY 15, 2014 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE Elks Lodge gives to Semper Fi Fund The nonprofit group was found- last week presented a donation of Hugh DePuis, president of the Mary Kemper ed by Marine Corps spouses nine $300 to the Jack Ivy Detachment Space Coast Chapter of the Gen- STAFF WRITER [email protected] years ago to aid combat-wound- of the Marine Corps league, rep- eral Motors Retirees Club, which ed veterans and their families resented by Marine Corps veteran organized the presentation, said Most people are familiar with from all services with immediate Dan DePagnier. he was glad to aid the Semper Fi the Wounded Warrior Project, but financial assistance and lifetime “As long as there are veterans, Fund. few have heard of the Semper Fi support. we will always care,” said the Fund. Elks Lodge 2658, Port St. Lucie, Lodge’s exalted ruler, Bill LaSalla. See FUND page 5 REUNIION from page 1 Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris, Medal of Honor recipient, was a key guest. (Editor’s note: See previous cover- age of Morris in Veteran Voice) Also on Saturday was a “Last Patrol” re-enactment, in authen- tic uniforms and equipment. On Sunday, a church service was held, and the closing ceremo- ny was held at the Traveling Wall. The Wall was, throughout, the centerpiece of the reunion. There was never a moment when peo- ple weren’t viewing it. Volunteers helped locate loved ones’ location on the Wall, and handed out complimentary sheets of thin paper and pencils so people could make “rubbings” of their loved ones’ names. Greg Welsh is the Wall manag- er for the Vietnam Veterans of Brevard. The former Air Force master ser- geant and Vietnam veteran said the VVB “created the Wall from funds we raised at one of our reunions. “We introduced it to the public for the first time in April of 2006,” he said. “Since then, we’ve trav- eled the whole country with it.” It’s a pretty big job. Why does he Staff photo by Mary Kemper do it? Karen Baker, of Columbus, Ohio, points to the name of Joseph Danison, a childhood classmate, on the Traveling Vietnam Memorial “Because it’s important to get Wall at Wickham Park, Melbourne, May 1. The Wall was erected as the centerpiece of tributes to veterans at the Florida Vietnam the Wall out to people,” he said. and All Veterans of Brevard annual reunion. “Not everyone can get to Wash- “Even after all these years,” she 1970. through next year,” Earrusso ington, D.C., (to see the perma- said, after composing herself. “I’m just here to make my broth- said. nent memorial). “But you know, when you care ers happy. If they can’t walk to He estimated that 75,000 to “Veterans are entitled to see about someone, it never really see the Wall, we’ll carry them,” he 100,000 will have attended this their memorial, after everything leaves you. He was such a won- said. year. they’ve gone through.” derful guy.” “When I see all the people here “Our event pays for itself as we Welsh said the next stop is Danison married a younger — 99 percent of whom are vet- go,” he said. “We don’t get any Jackson, Miss., and then 15 classmate just before deploying to erans – seeing them be happy — grants, and we don’t have corpo- more stops are planned through Vietnam, Baker said. this is why I was allowed to come rate sponsors. December. Mementos abounded in front of back (from Vietnam),” he said. “If we did, then (Wickham Park) Many people were clearly moved the Wall — not only flowers, but Earrusso has been the director could dictate how they want at the Wall. stuffed teddy bears, photos, and of the reunion for 25 of its 27 things to run, and we want to do Karen Baker, of Columbus, six-packs or single bottles of beer, years. “I might hand it over to it our own way.” Ohio, was there to find the name among many different items. someone else next year,” he said, Earrusso said details on next of a classmate from Marian “People need a chance to grieve “but I can’t seem to get anyone year’s reunion will be posted on Franklin High School, Joseph at the Wall,” said reunion director pinned down just yet.” the event website, floridaveter- Danison. Ralph Earrusso. The reunion is an enormous- ansreunion.com, in the coming When she did find his name, she An Army veteran, Earrusso ly popular event. “We’ve got the months. shed tears, and placed a flower served in Phu Bai from 1968 to campground booked already on the ground in front of it. VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • MAY 15, 2014 • 3 Vet and fallen deputy memorialized Morales and 10 other fallen St. Nicole Rodriguez Lucie County law enforcement STAFF WRITER [email protected] officers were remembered during a service at St. Bernadette Catho- lic Church in St. Lucie West later ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A year that day. after his violent death in the line “It’s nice that they have his of duty, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s name etched up here, but we Sgt. Gary Morales, 35, was eter- miss him dearly.” nally memorialized in stone on In 2002, the Florida Sheriffs two sacred walls that pay tribute Association established the me- to his ultimate sacrifice. morial to honor all the heroes of Morales’ name was engraved in Sheriffs’ Offices killed in the line the granite walls of the Florida of duty. Names are added each Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memo- April, for those who died the prior rial in Tallahassee in April and year. Last year, four Florida sher- unveiled on May 5 during Nation- iff’s deputies, including Morales, al Peace Officers Week. Members were killed in the line of duty. of the Morales family, Sheriff Ken Sgt. Gary Morales was fatally Mascara, Chief Deputy Garry shot on Feb. 28, 2013, during a Wilson and the St. Lucie Coun- traffic stop. The man responsible ty Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard for his death is awaiting trial in visited the state’s capital for the a Martin County jail. Prosecutors ceremonial reveal. are seeking the death penalty. It was a bittersweet moment for William Morales said being the sergeant’s father, a retired Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer surrounded by other families Holly Morales embraces her daughter, Brooklyn, while St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken New York Police sergeant and St. who share his pain was a unique Lucie West resident. Mascara read the accomplishments leading up to the death of her husband, Gary Mo- experience. rales. Morales was killed in the line of duty Feb. 28, 2013. “We are proud of him, very “Many of the survivors of fallen proud of him. We miss him,” heroes were there and it was a nation’s fallen law enforcement realize how fortunate we as a William Morales said at a May 7 great day. It was very comfort- officers should not go unnoticed, community and as country are to St. Lucie County Sheriff’s cere- ing,” Morales said. “You just feel Sheriff Mascara said. have warriors, men and women, mony that honored the agency’s for them also that they’ve lost “Each of the deputies that were six deputies lost in the line of their loved ones.” put on the wall had a story, and See MORALES page 6 duty since its beginnings. Gary The service and sacrifice of the when you hear those stories, you ew N he home o l it t f th l vis e WITH ANY SERVICE A e m OR BODY WORK, e o h C ANY MAKE, ANY MODEL*! T MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH: IF YOU’VE SERVED, YOU SAVE. NOW EXTENDING OUR THANKS TO VETERANS FOR A LIMITED TIME. In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we are pleased to offer the Military Discount to all Veterans, Active Duty members, Reserves, and Retirees — and their spouses — of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. This is your opportunity to save hundreds, even thousands, on the purchase or lease of an eligible, new vehicle, thanks to a special discounted price well below the MSRP. You can also combine this discount with most current offers to save even more. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS EXCEPTIONAL OFFER IS EASY: Go To: www.FortPierceBuickGmc.com 10950 Request an authorization number from the Program menu.