Honoring the Fallen - Palm Beach County Veterans Committee 7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
This year's 7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the South Florida National Cemetery and will take place on Monday, May 26, 2014. The ceremony will be a true tribute to the men and women of the armed services who lost their lives while in service to the United States of America. The public is encouraged to attend and show their support for those lost and their families.
- West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL (1888PressRelease) May 14, 2014 - 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.
Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.
This year's 7th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the South Florida National Cemetery, located at 6501 State Road 7, south of Lantana Road in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Florida. It will take place on Monday, May 26, 2014. The ceremony lasts for one hour and will be a true tribute to the men and women of the armed services who lost their lives while in service to the United States of America. The public is encouraged to attend and show their support for those lost and their families.
The program begins promptly at 10:00 AM with bugler Armando Cedeno who will play Reveille and Master of Ceremonies David Knapp of Chapter 25 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Program to follow includes 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 (over 200 biodegradable balloons will be released), Gary Hodges singing the National Anthem and God Bless America, musical selection provided by Wellington High School Band, a Stearman Biplane 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 .
Keynote Speaker Staff Sergeant Brian Mast retired in June 2012 from the U.S. Army's elite Joint Special Operations Command JSOC as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Operator, or Bomb Tech, following the amputation of both legs while serving in Afghanistan. He honorably served his country for 12 years, has been named an honorary member of the 75 Ranger Regiment for his many life-saving actions while assigned to them, and has been awarded among many other medals, The Bronze Star Medal for Valor, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, The Purple Heart Medal and The Defense Meritorious Service Medal. SSG Mast now lives in Fort Lauderdale FL with his wife of 7 years, Brianna, and his 4 and 2 year old sons Magnum and Maverick. He is a full time student of Economics at Harvard University, an Explosive Specialist with the Department of Homeland Security, and a tireless advocate working bring awareness to many veteran and non-profit organizations such as: Honor Flight South Florida, Caddy For A Cure, Wounded Warrior Project, The Bob Woodruff Foundation, and many others.
The following will also be participating 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; Singer Gary Hodges; Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.
Local Veteran's organizations that will be on site with information for veterans include 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.
Shuttle transportation generously donated by the West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center will be available from 8:15 A.M. at two off site locations: 1) The Target Superstore: 5900 State Road 7, Lake Worth, 33449 and 2) Winfield Solutions: 8245 U.S. Hwy 441, Boynton Beach, 33472. There will be NO public parking inside the cemetery grounds. Upon arriving at the cemetery there will be a limited amount of single roses generously donated by Passion Flowers and The Blossom Shoppe that will be available for attendees to place on the graves of veterans. As this is an outdoor event, attendees are reminded to bring chairs and wear sun protection.
In addition to all of the individuals and organizations mentioned previously thanks go to the following who have 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.
Attendees will be given the opportunity to donate to help fund Palm Beach County Veterans Committee events, Memorial Day Ceremony and Veterans Day Parade, as they arrive at the Target shuttle location. 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 pbcveteranscommittee.org or contact Friends of Veterans, Inc. Treasurer Aaron Augustus at (561) 844-2004.
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