Eighty Veterans received the Governor’s Veterans Service Award at a ceremony in Brooksville on May 31st.
They arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, May 31. Their ages ranged from ninety years old to the early twenties. Men and women from all branches of the military came to the National Guard Armory in Brooksville to receive the Governor’s Veterans Service Award from Governor Rick Scott. Eighty of these gold medallions were presented to men and women who are currently serving or had served in the Armed Forces or the National Guard.
Besides the veterans, their families and friends, representatives from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) and the National Guard Armory were present for the ceremony. County Commissioner, John Mitten, also attended the event.
Mitten stated, “It was an honor to be there. These men and women have faced danger, risked their lives and given up time and freedom to protect us. I wanted to look them in the eye and personally thank them on behalf of myself and my family.”
Governor Scott, a Navy veteran, stated, “One of the nicest things I do is award these veterans medals. I can’t express enough of my gratitude for all those who have served and those who have lost their lives and for every brave man and woman who has put the uniform on.”
FDVA officials included Lt. Colonel (Ret) Glenn Sutphin, Executive Director and Lt. Colonel (Ret) Steve Murray, Communications Director.
The event was not just a way to honor military personnel, but was a means to inform veterans of the benefits they are entitled to for having served their country. Any active-duty or honorably discharged veteran or member of the Merchant Marines, no matter how long he or she served, is eligible for this award. Governor Scott took time to talk personally with each veteran and pose for pictures. This ceremony is conducted every year all over the state.
Colonel Murray stated, “While we are checking the veterans in we are asking them questions like ‘Have you taken advantage of your veterans’ benefits?’ and providing them with copies of a guide outlining their federal and state benefits. It’s a way to capture hard to reach veterans in some of the smaller communities.”
Colonel Sutphin, speaking at a press conference after the event addressed this issue, “If you [veterans] have had problems [getting your benefits] before, please come see our people. We can fix them for you. Thirty-five percent of qualified veterans in Florida have not signed up for their benefits. Uncle Sam owes them and we need to get it done.”
Major General Michael Calhoun, Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard, is the governor’s military advisor on the Air and the Army National Guard. He has been in that position since 2015.
General Calhoun, commented, “I’ve been in the Air National Guard for thirty-four years. My first battalion command was here in Brooksville. Now I’m stationed at the headquarters in St. Augustine. While in the Army National Guard I was deployed in Kuwait in 2004. I had to make some of the sacrifices that these veterans had to make so I understand their feelings.”
Many people don’t know what a vital role the National Guard plays, both in domestic and foreign situations. In the last fifteen years, the Florida National Guard has deployed over 20,000 soldiers to combat areas and many have died. National Guardsmen have been sent to fight wildfires and handle natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
The governor awarded First Sergeant Daniel Cabrera a special medal. Cabrera joined the military in 1983 and after three years of active duty joined the Army National Guard. Sergeant Cabrera is now an aviation regiment crew chief with the First 185th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Brooksville. He was deployed twice to Iraq and served in Kosovo. He was also stationed in Mississippi and Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. He faced danger numerous times. During his more than thirty years of service he has received three air medals and Army commendation medals, along with Global War on Terrorism and Humanitarian Service medals.
“During Katrina it was dangerous because we had to land in areas that were flooded. We were taking people off of rooftops. Anything could go wrong. We had to keep an eye out for each other. Things could go bad very quickly,” Cabrera commented.
Probably three of the most senior recipients of the Governor’s Veterans Service Award are residents of Baldomero-Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land o’ Lakes, Florida. Eighty-five year old Lt. Colonel Pauline Ellis, a twenty year veteran of the Air Force was a clinical and flight nurse. Ninety-four year old Oakley McIntosh was a bomber pilot during World War II. Eighty-nine year old Victor Belson served during the World War II and Korean War eras as a military policeman.
Younger soldiers who received the award included Specialists Emily Wilkins and Breshana Major, along with Private First Class Latisa Martin. All three of these young women in their twenties are stationed with the National Guard in Brooksville.
Men and women who served in the World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam eras, as well as the more recent conflicts in the Middle East were well-represented. For example, Tanya Pye served in the Army during the Desert Storm conflict, but did not see combat. Her husband, Bronoris, was in the Marine Corps and served in the Middle East.
As Governor Scott stated in his opening remarks, “The service and sacrifices of these men and women need to be honored each and every day.”
For more information on veterans benefits and to find out more about the Governor’s Veterans Service Award log on to http://floridavets.org/
Top Image: Highly decorated 1st. Sergeant Daniel Cabrera – National Guard Active Duty with Gov. Rick Scott
Second Image: Tanya Pye – former U.S. Army with Gov. Scott
Third Image: From L to R: Gov. Scott, Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, Lt. Colonel (Ret) Glenn Sutphin, Comm.John Mitten; Front: PFC Latisa Martin, Specialist Howard Lee, PFC Lucien Dormevil, Specialist Chase Pasquotto.