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'Because Of You'

JIM REED/The Tampa Tribune

Temple Terrace Police Chief Tony Velong salutes the colors during the playing of the National Anthem during the City's Veterans Day ceremony at Woodmont Park.

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Updated: 11/15/2007 07:11 pm

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TEMPLE TERRACE - The United States' armed forces often have exemplified inclusion.

On Monday, Mayor Joe Affronti alluded to that during the city's salute to military veterans. American men and women of various ages, economic status, nationality and skin color, he said, have fought and died for the freedoms Americans enjoy.

It was the case for veterans who marched in to music of the King High School Band and filled the first three rows of seats near the gazebo in Woodmont Park to kick off the hour-and-a-half-long ceremony.

"No quotas; no discrimination; no hatred among them," Affronti said of those in attendance.

That spirit of inclusion also was evident in the band and audience, as well as King High's Pride Chorus, its Naval Junior ROTC and the Temple Terrace Highlanders bagpipes-and-drum team who performed during the festivities.

"Today is a very special day ... a time to think about love," said the keynote speaker, City Manager Kim Leinbach, who challenged those in attendance to assist homeless and impoverished veterans. "Because of you veterans, I'm here; and because of you, I stand freely."

Guest speaker Lt. Col. Richard Vargus of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base had retired from the Army in 1995 after 21 years of service. Prior to Sept. 11, 2001, he was a special agent for the Federal Aviation Administration and served as a member of the New York Police Department's antiterrorism task force. He rejoined the Army in 2002 and spent more than a year as commander of Iraq's national police academy.

"To my fellow veterans, you are the heroes of yesterday. ... You set the standards that remain the standards of today," Vargus said. "I am proud and honored to be part of this band of warriors. Every day, we should pay homage to those who served."

Among the veterans were men and women from every branch of the service who had served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. One flew bombing missions during World War II; one was a prisoner of war; one was a Citadel graduate; and another worked 10 years for the joint chiefs of staff.

Temple Terrace Police Chief Tony Velong, an Army veteran, spoke of a son who recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Temple Terrace Councilman Ken Halloway, a retired Army colonel, gave the closing remarks.

"When your country called, you answered the bell," he said. "Because of you, we can walk upright in pride and honor."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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