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City shows appreciation

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: November 18, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - The people assembled during the city's Nov. 11 celebration of Veterans Day provided the picture-perfect backdrop for the military personnel who have fought to keep our nation's freedom.

In addition to the music provided by the Temple Terrace Highlanders bagpipers, the presentation of colors by King High Naval Junior ROTC and the voices of Florida College's Take Note ensemble, it was those who occupied the bulk of seats in the Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center who captured the most attention.

When Mayor Joe Affronti stood before the podium to express how pleased he was to honor the servicemen and women who've laid their lives on the line to preserve what our country stands for, he spoke to an ideal audience. It was one filled with veterans of all ages and experiences.

"We are so proud of you and we want to show our appreciation for all you have done for our freedoms today," said Affronti, who served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54.

Among the those on hand was Army Chief Warrant Officer Romulo "Romy" Camargo of Crystal River, who sat in a wheelchair at the front of the room.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Froberg, who acted as master of ceremonies, invited Camargo to the event after befriending him at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. Camargo has spent 14 months at the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to the back of his neck sustained while in Afghanistan.

"It feels good to be here," said Carmargo, who is a quadriplegic. "I thank God for being here."

His wife, Gabriella, was at his side.

"This is a special day for all of us," she said. "It's a day to show our appreciation for what our veterans go through to protect us."

Army Maj. Jeff Hudson of MacDill Air Force Base's U.S. Special Operations Command gave the keynote address. The U.S. Military Academy graduate has been deployed to Afghanistan six times and to Iraq once.

In addition to recognizing the servicemen and women, he thanked the spouses who have supported them.

"They carry the burden as well," said Hudson, who noted he also refers to veterans' family members as "veterans."

At the conclusion of Hudson's remarks, Affronti strolled up and down the aisles with a microphone in hand to allow veterans in the audience - who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan - the opportunity to identify themselves.

Army veteran Grover Good, 88, came dressed in his 65-year-old uniform. The longtime Temple Terrace resident was there to pay respect to buddies killed during WWII.

"For our younger people, war is an everyday experience to them. Many don't realize the sacrifices our veterans made so they can enjoy what they have today," Good said.

Councilman Ken Halloway, an Army veteran and also a West Point graduate, reminisced about times spent with his classmates at the academy.

He also lamented the loss of some of those buddies during the Vietnam War and spoke of his longtime reluctance to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"I still remember them as kids, because that's what we were back then. Just kids," Halloway said.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

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