American Veterans Traveling Tribute in Cape Coral
The largest Vietnam memorial wall replica made its way from Punta Gorda to Cape Coral 11-13-14 Thursday afternoon - giving locals a chance to pay their respects to the nation's heroes. Film with a DJI Phantom Vision 2
Vietnam War Vets: Thomas F. Gillaspie
After graduating from veterinary school, Tom Gillaspie was drafted to the 175th U. S. Army Veterinary Detachment in Chu Lai, Vietnam in 1971. At the height of the Vietnam War it’s estimated there were about 5,000 scout dogs working for the U.S. Armed Forces in this war zone. During his yearlong tour of duty, Capt. Gillaspie traveled throughout Vietnam tending to the needs of sick and injured service dogs. In addition, veterinarians participated in the 'Vietnamization' process whereby they tried to win the hearts and minds of local people by treating their livestock. Members of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps were also responsible for all food inspection on U.S. bases. Upon his return to the United States, Gillaspie retired from the Army Veterinary Corps and opened his own veterinary practice in Fort Myers.
Honor Flight for World War II Veterans
VETERAN'S HONOR FLIGHT for World War II vets. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. In most cases, they transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.
This particular flight was a short (local area) version of that premise. Taking place at Page Field in Fort Myers, FL, it was arranged by Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization established and dedicated to honoring seniors and United States military veterans. Their primary focus is on individuals living in long-term care communities. Their mission is to “Give Back To Those Who Have Given”. Through their donors, the Foundation provides Dream Flights in a Boeing Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the 1940’s.
Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.
On November 12th, 2014, at age 93, my father, Lieutenant (JG) Walter S. Holt, was invited on this flyover. Dad served in as a midshipman in WWII in Douglas MacArthur's US Navy Pacific Fleet on the USS Breton, an aircraft carrier escort. It was his very last adventure. He died 44 days later.
Thank you to all our veterans. Freedom is not free.
(And a BIG thanks to Mike from Ageless Aviation.)
VA reaches out to Veterans in Tampa after Hurricane Irma
Dr. Miguel LaPuz, VA’s acting principal deputy undersecretary for health, joined James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital director Joe Battle in visiting a special needs shelter at the University of South Florida Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The leaders met with Veterans who had evacuated their homes at the approach of Hurricane Irma and assured them that VA was ready to assist them in any way possible as hurricane recovery efforts continued.
Presidential Inauguration Parade for 45th President of USA D. Trump. Washington D. C.
Briefly in 25 min. Парад в честь Президента США Д. Трампа в рамках церемонии инаугурации. Сокращённая 25 минутная версия
See all inaugural videos:
Participants:
•1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment – Fort Hood, Texas
•1st Infantry Division Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard – Fort Riley, Kansas
•Boone County Elite 4-H Equestrian Drill Team – Burlington, Kentucky
•Caisson Platoon, Fort Myer – Fort Myer, Virginia
•Cleveland Police Mounted Unit – Cleveland, Ohio
•Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums – Palm Coast, Florida
•Columbus North High School Band – Columbus, Indiana
•Culver Academy Equestrian – Culver, Indiana
•First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
•Fishburne Military School Army JROTC Caissons Battalion - Waynesboro, Virginia
•Frankfort High School Band – Ridgeley, West Virginia
•Franklin Regional High School Panther Marching Band – Murrysville, Pennsylvania
•Indianapolis Metro Police Motorcycle Drill Team – Indianapolis, Indiana
•Lil Wranglers – College Station, Texas
•Marist College Band – Poughkeepsie, New York
•Merced County Sheriff’s Posse – Hilmar, California
•Michigan Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team & Color Guard – Ann Arbor, Michigan
•Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team – New Buffalo, Michigan
•Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums – East Meadow, New York
•North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association – Hillsborough, North Carolina
•NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums – East Moriches, New York
•Olivet Nazarene University – Bourbonnais, Illinois
•Palmetto Ridge High School Band – Naples, Florida
•Russellville High School Band – Russellville, Arkansas
•Talladega College Band – Talladega, Alabama
•Texas State University Strutters – San Marcos, Texas
•The Citadel Regimental Band & Pipes and Summerall Guards – Charleston, South Carolina
•The Freedom Riders – Kersey, Colorado
•Tupelo High School Band – Tupelo, Mississippi
•University of Tennessee Marching Band – Knoxville, Tennessee
•VMI Corps of Cadets – Lexington, Virginia
•West Monroe High School Marching Band – West Monroe, Louisiana
•American Veterans - National
•Boy Scouts of America - National
•US Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations - National
•Disabled American Veterans - National
•Paralyzed American Veterans - National
•Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors– National
•US Border Patrol Pipes & Drums – National
•Wounded Warrior Project - National
•Kids Overseas - National
The First Female Army Helicopter Pilot On June 4th 1974 Honored: Ret. Col Sally Woolfolk Murphy
On June 4th 1974, Sally Murphy became the first woman to qualify as an aviator with the U.S. Army. She was born in Wichita, Kansas and grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, attended Shawnee Missloo High School in 1967. A month after graduation, she joined the United States Army. Following completion of the course, entered into the Aviation School when it opened its ranks to women. During flight school on her first day, the officer in charge singled Murphy out in front of the class and announced that she was the first woman to go through flight school at Fort Rucker. A captain once demanded to know what she was doing wearing a flight suit and accused her of making a mockery of it. Later, learned some civilian contractor flight instructors refused to train her. She never suffered any sexual harassment, only sexual discrimination because of the policies that barred women from fighting alongside men on the ground. After 26 years of service, retired as a colonel in 1999 and received the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Veteran Commendation. In March 2009, was honored at a ceremony at Fort Myer in Arlington County, Virginia. During the service, she was lauded as a groundbreaker that made progressing through the army easier for the women who wanted to follow in her footsteps. Murphy’s first marriage ended in divorce. After flight school, she married a combat Huey helicopter pilot who had served in Vietnam. They have a son, now a 29-year-old captain with the 82nd Airborne Division who has deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. Her daughter-in-law is also a soldier and has served two tours in Iraq. In 2009, an event celebration of retired pilots, when an emotional Murphy took the stage, she wasted no time telling the audience how she felt about her many years in service. “I love being in the Army, I love being an aviator, and I love being in intelligence,” she said, fighting back tears.
Army honors its first female helicopter pilot:
FORT MYER, Va. (Army News Service, March 27, 2009) -- Members of Freedom Team Salute honored retired Col. Sally D. Murphy, the Army's first female helicopter pilot, Wednesday at Fort Myer Spates Community Club.This year marks the 35th anniversary of Murphy's graduation from the Army Aviation school at Fort Rucker, Ala., when she became the Army's first female helicopter pilot. She joined the Army's Women Army Corps in 1972, and entered the aviation school when women were first allowed in. Murphy flew helicopters for the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., and commanded the 62nd Aviation Company in Germany and the 78th Aviation Battalion (Provisional) in Japan. Col. Laura J. Richardson, Fort Myer Military Community garrison commander, is one of thousands of women who have followed in Murphy's footsteps as a female aviator. She spoke at the event about how Murphy's shadow loomed over her during aviation training. From my own experience as a female helicopter pilot, I understand and appreciate the time, effort, knowledge and dedication it took Col. Murphy to become the Army's first female helicopter pilot, Richardson said. More importantly, I appreciate the tough road that Col. Murphy forged, making it possible for me and other female Army aviators to follow along in a ready made path, making it so much easier for us.After Richardson spoke, Judith Matteson of the U.S. Army Women's Museum spoke about the history of women aviators. She mentioned Bessie Coleman, civil aviator, who became the first African-American airplane pilot. Matteson introduced a brief video that highlighted women's contributions to the Army in its many conflicts. Col. David Griffith, director of Freedom Team Salute spoke next. He mentioned the 1.9 million Soldiers that FTS has recognized before talking about Murphy's contributions to the military.Freedom Team Salute is an Army program that recognizes the bond between Soldiers, family and their community; celebrates the sacrifices made by all those who support Soldiers; and honors the millions of Army veterans who have served and who remain as a living connection to generations of duty, honor and patriotism.Because of (Murphy), women make up 15 percent of the Army, and are present in 91 percent of the Army's occupations, Griffith said. He then presented Murphy with her official commendation from FTS, and Murphy took the stage. Her voice broke at times, but she managed to tell the story of how she became the first female Army aviator, from her childhood as a tomboy through her time in Military Intelligence, all the way to her service with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. I love being in the Army, I love being an aviator, and I love being in intelligence, she said. She spoke about how her husband, son and daughter-in-law are all currently serving in the Army, and that she was proud of all of them. She exited the podium to a standing ovation, and the audience of Soldiers, civilians and retired female Soldiers enjoyed a luncheon.
#FemalePilot #USArmy #MemorialDay
Korean War Vets: Dale Riggs
Retired Fort Myers resident, Private 1st Class Dale Riggs joined the United States Army in 1950 when he was only 17 years old. Immediately deployed to Korea, Dale was assigned to the 52nd Medical Battalion and for the first five months worked as an ambulance driver. After the war Dale left the army and worked for General Motors. He moved to Florida with his family in 1995. View more portraits at
S. Hadley residents want torn and tattered American Flags removed
Some people are upset about the condition of American Flags flying from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge in South Hadley.
Colonel William E. Missildine, Vietnam
BILL IS MY HERO!!! I was so blessed to interview him in Destin, Florida, February 2012. I miss him dearly!!
What you have seen here is the end of the 60 minute interview I did with him.
EMAIL: lcappetto@icloud.com
WEBSITE:
Produced by Larry Cappetto.
After a prolonged and courageous struggle with cancer, Colonel William E. Missildine, another valiant, highly decorated American Warrior, fought his last battle on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, with his wife Rita of 49 years by his side.
Bill entered the Army after graduating from Marietta High School in Georgia. He was selected to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned as a Second Lt. of Infantry at the age of 20. He went on to complete the Airborne and Ranger Schools. He continued his education in the military, ultimately attending Senior Service College at Ft McNair in Washington D.C. He also qualified for a Bachelor of Science in business management with honors, and a master's degree in business management while on active duty.
He started his career as a platoon leader with 40 men in the 101st Airborne Division, and commanded from all level from company, battalion, and brigade level with over 2,000 troops.
His assignments took him from Ft. Campbell to Berlin, to the Presidential Honor Guard at Ft. Myer. He had the honor of serving as the White House Social Aide to President John F. Kennedy. His other assignments included 30 months of combat in Vietnam. He served on the Army Staff, and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. His final assignment was the Commander of the Southwest of the Southeast Region Recruiting Command at Ft Glillem, Ga.
His decorations, medals, and badges include Airborne Wings, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, two Legions Merit, three Bronze Stars with the V for valor, the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After retiring from the military, Bill became active as a Motivational Speaker for an international company out of Fort Worth, Texas. He gave over 1,500 seminars. He also dedicated himself to serving his communities, including coaching youth football and soccer. He has served as chairman of several committees, and a president of two different Golf Associations. He served on the board of the Florida State Golf Association as a course rater, and a Committee Member for significant golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Qualifying Tournaments.
Bill and his wife Rita shared a passion for golf, tennis, family, and friends. Other interests included dancing and traveling, and enjoying life together with friends.
Bill leaves behind his dearest friend and wife, Rita. They met at Ft. Benning Ga., and it was love at first sight. He is also survived by his daughter GiGi, who brought him his delightful granddaughter Ava, and his son Lance and his wife Jennifer, who gave him two fine grandsons, Mitch and Colt. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother and Brother.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. at the Destin United Methodist Church at 200 Beach Road, Destin. A reception at the church will follow immediately after the service. All are invited.
Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bill's name would be very much appreciated.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Grand Boulevard for the care they provided, and as well for all of the love and support of family and friends.
#OffScriptOn9: Confederate statues inside the U.S. Capitol
In the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection, there are three-times as many statues of Confederate soldiers and politicians as there are statues of black people in the entire Capitol complex.
Florida Minks : johnBobCarlos
Description
Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Veterans Special Recognition Ceremony
Naval Station Mayport was proud to participate in the eighth annual Veterans Special Recognition Ceremony sponsored by Florida Congressman Ander Crenshaw. At the ceremony, 140 veterans who served between 1941 and 1970 were honored by Crenshaw. During this year's ceremony, the guests were treated to a special passing of the flag ceremony. The flag was passed from Sailors wearing uniforms of the different services and spanning World War I to the Vietnam War. The flag was passed from the detail to Crenshaw, who then presented it to William Surcey, a member of the original Tuskegee Airmen, and WWII veteran. The event was completed with a 21-gun salute from the NS Mayport Color Guard and the playing of taps by a member of the Navy Band Southeast.
Terminally ill veteran honored
An Iraq war veteran honored at the Iraq War Memorial in Cape Coral.
Supporting Our Troops
From toiletries to candy, even letters—“They always get socks. We always send toilet paper. We always send beef jerky in the summer. Girl Scout cookies, they always get that in March. We don’t buy anything. Everything is by donation,” said Kim Gaide, community outreach program coordinator with Lee Health.
In addition to the supplies, the space is also donated. “I am very grateful that Lee Health is able to let me do what I need to do so that we can take care of our deployed servicemen and women and our families,” said Gaide.
The Military Support Program started at Lee Health in 2003 with the focus of supporting the military, their families, and the thousands of veterans in Lee County. “We send the care boxes every month. They can go anywhere from Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, on the ships, in the subs, in the air, wherever they are if we have an address those boxes will catch up to them,” she said.
Since 2003, 1,500 local troops have received care packages—each filled with necessities and gifts from home. “I think they look forward to it. I know we’ve got some really nice thank you notes,” said Jane Wylie, a volunteer for the program. Wylie has volunteered for years—and like many involved, her passion for the program is personal. “My dad was in World War II, my husband was in the reserves during Vietnam, and my son is an active duty Marine. I’ve always found the military is just a way to give back to them and to what they have done for our country.”
A unique program designed to serve those who serve us.
View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/
Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.
Visit LeeHealth.org
Honor flight 10/28/2017
WWII, Korea, Viet Nam Veterans arriving at Reagan National Airport to visit war memorials
Honor Flight 275 Baltimore Washington International Airport April 19 2015
Honor Flight arriving at BWI on April 19, 2015. This consisted of approximately 25 Veterans from World War 2 and the volunteers who help support this cause. I was very fortunate to observe this. It was one of the veterans birthday. He turned 97.
Vice President Pence's Motorcade Leaves the White House/ Constitution Gardens
Today, vicepresident Pence's motorcade leaves the White House. Also, I go to Constitution Gardens and I set the video to a dreamy musical piece called Sunset Piano.
Local vets react to Obama not sending military to Iraq
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -
Just hours after President Obama on Friday ruled out sending U.S troops back into Iraq, veterans in southwest Florida said they question whether prior efforts in Iraq were worth it.
My opinion is that we shouldn't have been there to begin with, said Pete Nicholsen, whose son spent two tours of duty fighting against militants during the height of the Iraq War.
As a veteran himself, Nicholsen said he tried to warn his son about what he was getting himself into. I explained to him in the beginning, I'm a Vietnam vet, and it looked to me like it was going to be another Vietnam War.
For Nicholsen, that belief is stronger than ever, given the fact that insurgents have made a comeback in the war-torn country, two-and-a-half years after U.S. combat troops were originally pulled out.
I'm sure some of them felt that way when we pulled our troops out. If we're not finished, why are we here? Asked Ralph Santillo, the president and founder of Invest in America's Veterans Foundation, a veterans advocacy center based in Cape Coral.
Some of these young people have been over there a long time doing multiple tours, said Santillo. To have them go back I think would be a traumatic experience for most of them.
One Iraq War vet who declined to speak on camera said the recent violence in the country makes him question whether his time spent in the country was all in vein.
But parents like Nicholsen applaud the president's position, and say as hard as it might be, it may finally be time to move on. We give these people money, all the time. And they just stab us in the back. I think its time to say no, he said.Subcribe on my channel
Korean War Vets: John Weliver
Retired Fort Myers resident, Gunnery Sergeant John Weliver served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Deployed after the beginning of the war, he was assigned to squadron VMO6 as aircraft Crew Chief on the observation helicopter squadron. After the war, John continued to serve in the Marine Corps for another 23 years. View more portraits at
Pocahontas Parkway (VA 895) westbound
Opened in 2002, the Pocahontas Parkway connects I-295 east of Richmond with I-95 & Chippenham Parkway in South Richmond.
Highlights: Richmond International Airport, Henrico County Toll Plaza, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, END VA 895; JCT I-95; BEGIN VA 150
Civil War Highlights: Richmond-Petersburg Siege Line, The Seven Days, James River