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Military Veterans Remembered

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Young and old alike were drawn to the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex to be part of the city-sponsored Veterans Day ceremony and the free lunch that followed.

"We owe our lives to the warriors who've lost theirs," said Sgt. Maj. C.J. Costello-Jose of U.S. Special Operations Command, who was the guest speaker at the event. "When I see that coffin with a flag draped over it, it never leaves me."

The King High School Jr. ROTC color guard began the observance Nov. 11 with the presentation of colors, and the Take Note vocal ensemble from Florida College sang a series of patriotic songs.

And while veterans formally took their seats near the podium, the Temple Terrace Highlanders filled the venue with bagpipe music.

The Rev. Ted Fielland of Temple Terrace Community Church provided the invocation, and Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti issued the welcoming remarks. City Councilman Ken Halloway, a retired Army colonel, delivered the keynote speech..

During her speech, Costello-Jose said it was a time to salute the valiant veterans of all generations who have survived, many of whom suffered greatly.

"I also applaud their families for the sacrifices they've made - please give the families of all our veterans a hand," Costello-Jose said. "And the greatest gift, by far you can give a veteran, is just to say 'thanks.'"

The mayor, who earlier said "the Army was the best thing that ever happened" in his life, recognized each veteran in the audience. Among the dozens in attendance was Jerry King, who served 33 years in the Army's Special Forces; Dan Saunders, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge; and retired Temple Terrace Police Chief Tony Velong, an Army Special Forces and Vietnam veteran who served in the reserves until 1995. Air Force veteran Don Rimbey, who flew more than 50 combat missions; Don Britt, a Marine sergeant who during WWII spent 105 days as a prisoner of war; and Ted Grevencamp, a retired Army colonel with 29 years of service, were also among those honored.

Even though it was a holiday for city employees, many volunteered their time to help put on the festivities.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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