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Tag: Veterans Month

  • Vet meets family of Bay Pines VA first Black female employee

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A veteran working at the Bay Pines VA recently discovered a book in the archives that details the life of the first African American woman to work there in the 1940s.  

    It’s a piece of history that he was hoping to share with the woman’s family if he ever found them.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 first reported on the late Deotha Parsons story earlier this month. Parson’s rich history of being the first female African American employee to work at Bay Pines VA in the 1940s is all laid out in a book.

    The book is housed in the archives at the Bay Pines VA. That’s where hospital coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans, John Makas, first discovered it six months ago.

    He said he knew then, he had to find and connect Parsons’ family with the book.

    After the story aired and appeared online, the community connected Spectrum Bay News 9 with Monica Hunt and her brother Erik Butler, Parsons’ grandchildren who live in Washington D.C.

    Makas joined the video call to formally meet them and get their reaction to the story.

    “I thought it was amazing,” Butler said.

    Hunt says she was surprised.

    “Yeah, it was great. I had chills. I was like, ‘Oh wow’ and all of those pictures. But to see all of the rest of the stuff in the book, it was nice to see,” she said.

    Deotha Parsons, the history maker, was just a grandmother to them. She had already retired from VA by the time they were old enough to understand her accomplishments.

    “She wasn’t too much affiliated by the time I got to know her,” Butler said.

    After working for Bay Pines VA, for more than 30 years and retiring in the 1970s the book was created for her retirement. It’s something Makas wants the family to have a piece of.

    “I didn’t want that photo album to get lost. So, my DAV here in the Florida Area, we’re going to get together and we’re going to have that book digitally done for you and I want to give that to your family so that you guys have it,” he said. “That’s something you should have to teach to your grandchildren.”

    Once completed, Makas said he will coordinate with the family to hand them over the new digitized copy of the book.  

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Army veteran shares how Semper Fi & America’s Fund has supported him

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — This Veterans Day, Spectrum News wants to recognize those in our community who have served our country like Army Veteran Carl Moore.

    Injured in the line of duty, the Land O’ Lakes vet and Purple Heart recipient said he hopes other veterans and military families can access resources like he has. 

    Moore joined the Army in 2008. 

    He said he wanted to be part of something bigger than himself.

    During his second deployment, he was trapped on a dirt road with no cover. 

    “I was on the ground, firing back from the prone, and it felt like something blew up, like a cinnamon firecracker,” he said. “I don’t know why I smelled cinnamon, but when I tried to get off the ground, I couldn’t.” 

    Unable to walk, Moore pulled himself to safety with just his arms.  

    He would later find out that a bullet had clipped his T-10 vertebrae, among other injuries. 

    He didn’t know what life would be like moving forward, but with support from his wife and the nonprofit Semper Fi & America’s Fund, he has come a long way.

    “Any time I have reached out, they’ve been there, period,” he said.

    Michelle Hall, the director of case management for the nonprofit, met Moore in 2013. 

    The organization has helped with more than just his injuries. 

    His house was struck by lightning a few years ago, destroying every electrical item in his home. 

    Semper Fi & America’s Fund provided support as Moore waited for his homeowners’ insurance to come through.

    “It’s a lifelong relationship,” Hall said. “We meet them at bedside. We follow them through the whole recovery, and we stay with them even in the end. We say it’s today together. Today, tomorrow, together.” 

    Moore said his relationship with the nonprofit is something he values and he hopes others in situations like his know that there are organizations here to help.

    “We answered the call of our nation,” he said. “And you know, there’s a lot of us out here that deal with challenges every day because of it, and a lot of those challenges can be mitigated with support.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Veterans Day events in the Tampa Bay area

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    There are a number of events taking place on Veterans Day in the Bay area. We’ve compiled some of them below.

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    LARGO

    Join the City in honoring local veterans at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be inside the Central Park Performing Arts Center, located at 105 Central Park Drive.

    The ceremony will feature live music, readings, and presentations by local veterans, offering a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude for their service. Attendees can also engage with various service and veteran groups. For more information, please contact 727-587-6740 Ext. 5014.     

    GULFPORT

    One year after the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration was canceled due to the back-to-back hurricanes of 2024, the beloved community tradition returns. The event will take place Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Gulfport’s waterfront Veterans Park, located at 5350 31st Avenue South.

    The Foundation invites the entire community to gather in honor of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation.

    The program will include:

    • Military tunes by New Horizons Band
    • Welcome by the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation
    • Color Guard by Boca Ciega High School JROTC
    • National Anthem performed by Catherine Basset
    • Message to Our Military by a JROTC cadet
    • Address by Gulfport Mayor Karen Love
    • Invocation by Rev. Jon Scott
    • Moment of Silence & Taps by New Horizons Band
    • Retirement of the Colors

    Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served, offering an opportunity for attendees to mingle and share stories. Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair for seating comfort.

    For more information, please contact the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation office at 727-893-1244.

    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

    Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County will host the 61st Annual Veterans Day Tribute on Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 N. U.S. Hwy. 301, Tampa.

    The annual event salutes Veterans of all eras and military branches with a family-friendly celebration that is free and open to all. 

    The outdoor Veterans Day Tribute will feature: 

    • JROTC color guard and patriotic music 
    • Veterans Council Awards and special guests 
    • A variety of resources for Veterans and military families 
    • Free refreshments after the ceremony 
    • A kids’ craft area with take-home creations 

    For the ninth consecutive year, the national Veterans Day Committee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum to its list of official Regional Veterans Day Sites, a recognition of excellence for patriotism and honor to our nation’s military. The park is free and open daily from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. The community is encouraged to tour its many monuments, including the new Gold Star Family Memorial. 

    For information about the 61st Annual Veterans Day Tribute or Veterans Memorial Park, visit HCFL.Gov/Veterans or call (813) 635-8316. 

    ZOO TAMPA

    ZooTampa at Lowry Park will host a special Veterans Day pinning ceremony on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zoo’s Saunders Pavilion. The event aims to honor local military veterans for their service and sacrifice.

    The ceremony will feature remarks from leaders of both organizations and will publicly recognize veterans from all branches of the military. Each honoree will receive a commemorative lapel pin and a letter of appreciation.

    PASCO COUNTY

    NEW PORT RICHEY

    The City of New Port Richey invites you to come together in celebration and gratitude at the Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday at 5 p.m. around Orange Lake near Sims Park in Downtown New Port Richey.

    Honoring the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform, the parade will feature local veterans, active military units, marching bands, community organizations, and civic groups. 

    Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to attend, wear red, white, and blue, and show their support from along the parade route. All are welcome to participate in this memorable celebration of patriotism and community spirit.

    The Downtown Area Roundabout Trolley (DART) will be operating for this event. For more information on the event, click here.

    SARASOTA

    The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will co-host the annual Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m., Tuesday in downtown Sarasota. The parade will begin at Orange Avenue and Main Street.

    Several road closures and vehicle tow-away zones will be in effect for the parade beginning at 3 a.m., Tuesday.

    The road closures are:

    3 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Main Street closed from Links Avenue to Bayfront Drive

    3 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Osprey Avenue closed from Ringling Boulevard to Second Street

    Vehicles not removed by the posted time of 3 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • St. Pete College student chosen for exclusive veteran fellowship

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Petersburg College has joined some of the most prestigious schools in the nation in having a student veteran chosen for the VFW-SVA legislative fellowship. 

    What You Need To Know

    • SPC veteran student Giancarlo Gonzalez was one of six students nationwide chosen for this fellowship 

    • Giancarlo hopes that through the fellowship he will have a chance to raise awareness about issues that veterans face

    • This is the 12th year students could take part in this fellowship


    The semester-long fellowship provides those chosen, such as SPC student Giancarlo Gonzalez, with the opportunity to learn from professionals and receive training on how to become veteran advocates. 

    Giancarlo served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2012. 

    Now, he wants to bring more attention to student veteran issues like housing allowances, issues with the GI Bill not covering certain expenses, and more. 

    He sees being chosen for the fellowship as a step in that direction. 

    “I didn’t get the Leadership Institute, so I was a little upset about it,” he said. “Everyone in the office is like, oh, don’t worry about it. You’re going to get the fellowship, you’re going to get the fellowship, and a week later, I got the email, and I saw congratulations.”

    Trevor McGilvrey, SPC Student Veterans of America Advisor, said his team was thrilled to see Giancarlo chosen, and that being one of just six students selected nationwide shows the kind of person he is.

    “Feels like, almost like a David and Goliath type story where, you know, the guy from Harvard, he’s a White House Intern,” he said. “He’s a Navy SEAL. Some of these people are PhDs. Some of these people have ran, you know, they’re directors of military programs at high-level universities.” 

    Giancarlo recently got back from his first conference in Washington, D.C. as part of the fellowship. 

    He will attend two more, and he has a message that he wants to bring to the forefront.

    “Veterans deserve not just to come home, but to thrive as leaders, professionals, and community builders. I’m ready to bring that mission focus, discipline, and passion to Washington.”

    This is the 12th year students could take part in this fellowship.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Manatee County Veterans Council creates displays to honor veterans

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — November is National Veterans and Military Families Month — and to honor this, Manatee County volunteers are decorating so the community always remembers the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.


    Molly Boardman is a collector of items from the past that now serve as reminders.

    “This means the world to me,” she said.

    Her collection has grown over the last 20 years.

    Now, she’s putting the memories on display at the South Manatee Branch Library in honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month.

    “Well, what I’m hoping it gives people in the community, especially children, is a chance to see these things — and hopefully talk about the sacrifice that people have made for our freedoms,” she explained.

    Molly served in the Army from 1985 to 1989, then was in the Reserves until 2009. She also had a 20-year career as a teacher in Manatee County. Now, she has been selected as Veteran of the Year by the Manatee County Veterans Council.

    “I come from a very, very long line of military people, all the way back to the American Revolution. I wanted to feel like I was doing my part,” she said.

    That family history made her appreciate even the little things about the military. She still has her first pair of boots.

    “Basic training was very, very difficult to get through. I still wear them sometimes,” she said.

    Other volunteers from the Manatee County Veterans Council — like Air Force veteran Victor McKenzie — are hoping this exhibit, which features Boardman’s items, will remind the community of what veterans have sacrificed.

    “I think it’ll help explain the different branches of service, the different periods of wartime, so they know how long we’ve been defending our country,” he said.

    The wall inside the library includes pictures and items from wars dating back to the Korean War.

    “This is what my classroom used to look like — my students would call it the museum.”

    Boardman is more than just Manatee County’s Veteran of the Year — she’s a voice for veterans, showing the impact the military has had on the country.

    Visitors can see the display inside the South Manatee Branch Library until Nov. 12.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Things to do around Tampa Bay for Veterans Day 2023

    Things to do around Tampa Bay for Veterans Day 2023

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    By

    Spectrum News Staff

    Tampa


    PUBLISHED 9:30 AM ET Nov. 08, 2023
    PUBLISHED 9:30 AM EST Nov. 08, 2023

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    Spectrum News Staff

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