Scrapbook Photos
On January 25 four members of the Department of Defense came to Leesburg to honor the members of the Korean War Veterans Chapter 169 and to present certificates signed by Leon Panetta Secretary of Defense. Mayor Sanna Henderson welcomed the 200 veterans, wives and widows that attended the ceremony.
Colonel Clark, Executive Director of the KW60 committee of the DOD. He spoke about the 60th anniversary of the Korean War
Tom Theil, President of the Korean War Veterans Chapter 169 welcoming the Veterans and the widows of former members of Chapter 169
Mayor Henderson, Colonel David J. Clark from the DOD and President Tom Theil at the wreath laying ceremony
Part of the 200 veterans, wives and widows that attended the ceremony
The following pictures are of the dedication ceremony of the flag pole which was the project of Austin Rumbley to earn his Eagle Scout Badge. To view the entire ceremony click on FLAG DEDICATION.
FLAG DEDICATION-- Video - Click Here
Eagle Scout Austin Rumbley and this father Cliff placing flag on halyard in preparation for raising.
Eagle Scout Austin Rumbley leading the "pledge of allegiance"
Speakers platform with honored guests
The family of Eagle Scout Austin Rumbley, Dad, Mom sister Raechel and Grandmother Dorothy Staarling.
On Saturday. May 22 at 11:00AM. hundreds of individuals attended the ground breaking for the Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park in Leesburg. Eight color guards from various veteran organizations in Lake County presented their unit flags. The highlight of the program was the unveiling of the black granite monolith which featured the various military branches of service and a list of the wars and casualties. This monolith will be centered in the middle of the monument. Soon a 30 minute program that appeared on TV Channel 22 will be posted.
Click here to see the opening ceremony video
Bag piper John Rice of the
Leesburg Fire Department leads the Civil War
re-enactors, Leesburg High School Air Force ROTC and
the eight Color Guards
into the Memorial Park. Chuck Madrid of VFW Post
8087 was the Honor Guard
Commander.
Part of the 100's that attended the ground breaking ceremony.
Civil War reenactors
Members of the Leesburg High School Air Force ROTC
Don Van Beck,
Executive Director, opening the ground breaking
ceremony.
Note the covered monolith in front of the lectern.
Russ Sloan, a
member of the Memorial Advisory Board is shown
introducing Jacob Temares, Eagle Scout
and member of troop 250 of the 1st Methodist Church
of Eustis who led us the the Pledge of Allegiance. A
Bit of history....both the first Scout Troop and the
first Eagle Scout were from Leesburg.
Brigadier General Tom Sullivan, (ret) of the Florida National Guard
Senator and 1st Sergeant Carey Baker of the Florida National Guard
Jane Sexsmith,
Director of Volunteers introducing Arthur Canale,
Richard Phaler and Don Van Beck
Don Van Beck,
Richard Phaler and Arthur Canale preparing to turn
first shovel of dirt for Memorial.
Turning first shovel of dirt to begin the building project
Monolith to be
the center of the Memorial Wall. Note the wars
listed
with the killed in action, wounded in action and
total number serving.
Closing remarks by Executive Director, Don Van Beck
Harold Seivers,
Korean War Veterans Association State Chaplin
with the closing prayer.
January 29, 2009
Veterans from 5 major wars gather during the site dedication ceremony of the proposed Lake County Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park in Leesburg to dedicate the site. The memorial will honor all Lake County Veterans who served our country in time of war, whether here or overseas. The Veterans are, left to right, Mary Ellen Beyer, Korea; Ballard “Steve” Keesee, World War 2; Richard Pfahler, Korean War, Jesse Smith, Viet Nam; James J. Wojciechowski. Gulf War; State Senator Carey Baker, Iraq War.
The 6 veterans are joined by others, including a group of National Guard troops from the nearby armory who were preparing to be shipped overseas.