By: Guadalupe Monarrez
Memorial Day, a federal holiday observed annually in the United States, is a day to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. While Memorial Day did not become an official federal holiday until 1971, many Americans have commemorated fallen soldiers since the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. In celebration of Memorial Day, many observe the holiday by visiting cemataries and memorials, while cities across the United States host large parades that brings civilians and military personnel together.
The Veterans Speakers Forum of Palm Beach County, established in 2010, is an organization that hopes to educate students about the importance of veterans in our community and their history in the United States Armed Forces. Corporal Burt Richards, creator and founder of the Veterans Forum, was able to have all Palm Beach County Schools close on Veteran’s Day as of November 11th, 2011.
“Our mission is to educate the school board and have them see our programs, and to continue using our programs. By hiring war veterans, they will not only have a job, but they will be able to discuss their history during these programs. I hope to see that all schools in Florida are closed on Veteran’s Day from Nov 11th 2012, and there after,” proclaimed Cpl Richards.
Cpl Richards recognizes that there is a strong need for educational programs about war veterans within the Palm Beach County school curriculum.
“Not to take away from our dedicated teachers, but many are baby boomers,” said Richards, “the school curriculum depends on the Veterans Speakers Forum for students to benefit from our educational programs that we present at our own expense.”
Cpl Richards praises all the veterans that are a part of the Veterans Forum and acknowledges that they do such a tremendous job sharing their stories.
Some of the members that make up the organization include lieutenant Jacob Goldman of Boca Raton, who was part of the Air Force and involved in the atomic bombing of Japan. Sergeant Elliott Lichtenstein of Boca Raton, who was a combat medic and aided injured service men. Stanley Saltz, who is a Battle of the Bulge war veteran. Harry Zaslow, who is a World War II combat veteran and a liberator of the Dachau concentration camp. Corporal Bob Everson, who is a Vietnam veteran that was pronounced dead on the battle field, but was miraculously revived while being taken to the morgue. Sergeant George Fisher, who is the founder of the 67th year of the Battle of the Bulge Veteran’s Organization. Erne Greenblatt, who was a paratrooper that landed in Germany to liberate hostages and war prisoners. Tom DeCicco, who uses therapy dogs to aid military personnel. Hank Goldman, who was a navigator on a B-25 attack bomber in the South Pacific during World War II. Michael Kelsey, who served 20 years in the United States Army as an infantryman and a Senior Intelligence Analyst.
On May 29th, Cpl Richards and other war veterans will host a Veterans Speakers Forum seminar, honoring Memorial Day, at Boca Raton Middle School. The seminar will address all social studies classes, which will give students the opportunity to listen to war veterans share their stories.
“We expect to have those who attend to write an essay and turn it in to their teachers as to what they learned on May 29th with our appearance and what they did on their day off, Memorial Day May 28th,” said Cpl Richards.
The Veterans Speakers Forum hopes to build relationships with other organizations as well. By providing educational programs, they hope organizations will be able to raise funds for themselves.
“We are almost like a professional Broadway show, but we are veteran history educators,” said Cpl Richards.
Anyone who is interested in the Veterans Speakers Forum’s programs can contact Cpl Richards at (561)734-7263 or at pr.group@juno.com.
A national moment of remembrance occurs at 3 p.m on Memorial Day every year. So, let us join together to remember the men and women who have risked their lives in the line of duty, while celebrating the veterans that keep their spirit alive. You may also show support to veterans by visiting this Support Wounded Veteran Program.