Thousands Honor and Remember Fallen Heroes Palm Beach County Veterans Committee 7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
For the past seven years, a group of local veterans and community activists known as The Palm Beach County Veterans Committee have sponsored a Memorial Day Ceremony to remember and honor our Nation’s veterans
who lost their lives in service to our country. Over 2,500 attended to honor and remember our nation’s fallen heroes at this year’s 7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the South Florida National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2014. The ceremony was a true tribute to those who lost their lives while in service to the United States of America.
The program began with bugler Armando Cedeno who played Reveille and Master of Ceremonies David Knapp of Chapter 25 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The program also included an opening procession by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Pipe and Drum Band, multiple Color Guards collaborating in the presentation of the colors, Pledge of Allegiance led by Battle of the Bulge Army Veteran George Fisher, a special memorial in honor of POWs and MIAs led by former POW Bill Arcuri, Agent Orange Balloon Release, Gary Hodges sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, musical selection provided by Wellington High School Band, a Stearman Biplane and “Huey” helicopter flyover, Keynote speaker Staff Sergeant Brian Mast, wreath presentation by Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, and Echo Taps by Tomas Becerra, Roberto Morgan and Armando Cedeno
of the 1st Panamanian Drum & Bugle Corps of Miami .
The following also participated in the program: Dignitaries US Congressman Ted Deutch, US Congresswoman Lois Frankel, State Representative Mark Pafford, County Commissioner Hal Valeche and Juno Beach Vice Mayor Ellen Andel; Seminole Ridge High School JROTC; Color Guards from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, 11th District American Legion, North Palm Beach Civil Air Patrol, Lantana Civil Air Patrol, Boca/Delray Division U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Young Marines of the Palm Beaches; Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Honor Guard and Reserve Battalion; Children of the American Revolution; Patriot Guard Riders; Boy Scouts of America
and Girl Scouts of America.
Local Veteran’s organizations that were on site with information for veterans included Paws 4 Liberty, Palm Beach Vet Center, West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Southeast Florida Honor Flight, Star Spangled Heroes Project of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation and H.E.L.O. – Heroes Entering Life’s Opportunities. Single roses were generously donated by Passion Flowers and The Blossom Shoppe for attendees to place on the graves of veterans.
In addition to all of the individuals and organizations mentioned previously thanks go to the following who contributed to this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony – Cheney Brothers Inc., Custom Lawn Service, Faith Hope Love Charity, Inc./Stand Down House, Galiano Concrete, Joannie Lincoln, Lee Qualls, Dick Robinson and Gloria Schmidt.
The Palm Beach County Veterans Committee receives no grants or loans from any government agencies and relies entirely on private donations to pay the expenses associated with their events. Donations are fully tax deductible as the Committee has established a relationship with the Friends of Veterans, Inc. which is a Florida not-for-profit corporation, established in 1993, that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you would like to make a donation, please visit http://pbcveteranscommittee.org or contact Friends of Veterans, Inc. Treasurer Aaron Augustus at (561) 844-2004.
PHOTO CREDIT TO: JANIS BUCHER
Paul M. Russo, Director, VA Medical Center, Miami with Kirk Leopard,
Director of the South Florida National Cemetery
Maxwell Nelson, Charleen R. Szabo, FACHE Director, VA Medical Center, WPB and Jerry Klein, Vietnam Veterans of America
Dave Knapp, Vietnam Veterans of America, Joe Green. Korean War Veteran and Lawrence Chayt, Jewish War Veteran
Chaplain & Navy Commander Kim House, VA Medical Center and George Fisher, Battle of the Bulge-Army
Ray Concepcion, Vietnam Veteran-Air Force given flowers from Ashley Weil of Passion Growers
Bill Arcuri, Air Force, Vietmam Ex-POW and Jane Lignore, in charge of the POW MIA Remembrance Ceremony
Mike Nuckles, Roland Potter and George Mc Ewan
Patriotic Flyover – Boeing Stearman it served as the primary trainer for the USAAF, the USN and with the RCAF during World War II
Jerry Klein, Vietnam Veterans of America. His awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Air Medal
Featured Speaker U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Mast, seriously injured in an Afghanistan blast
Staff Sergeant Brian Mast, Army – Featured Speaker for 2014 Memorial Day Ceremony at the South Florida National Cemetery
Staff Sergeant Brian Mast, Army and Roy Foster, a CNN HERO
Featured Speaker U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Mast, seriously injured in an Afghanistan blast
