On this page: 

(Please scroll down page for articles)

• Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 16th Annual 

"A Day To Remember" Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, 2021

• West  Palm Beach VA Medical Center begins COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

• Veterans Day Parade, West Palm Beach, 2019

• Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 14th Annual

"A Day To Remember" Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019

• Veterans Day Parade Lake Park

Sunday, November 11, 2018

• Veterans Day Parade West Palm Beach

Sunday, November 4, 2018

• In Memoriam:

Brig. Gen. Albin F. Irzyk U.S. Army (ret)

January 2, 1917 - September 10, 2018

• In Memoriam:

George Fisher, February 3, 1925 - July 8, 2018

• Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 

13th Annual "A Day to Remember"

Memorial Day 2018

• Quilts of Valor Foundation Donate Quilts to Veterans

• Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Meeting March 24, 2018

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge 

Christmas Luncheon December 2017

• Veterans Day Parade, WPB, 2017

• Memorial Day 2017

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge 

Hold Spring Luncheon April 2017

• The Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society Holds Spring Luncheon

• Veterans' Day Parade West Palm Beach, Nov. 6th

• Florida Chapter of 8th Air Force Historical Society 

Holds Fall Luncheon

• GREETINGS FROM ...

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge St. Louis Gateway Chapter

• Memorial Day 2016

• VBOB Spring Luncheon, April 17, 2016

• Combat Infantrymen's Association 

Hold Spring Luncheon, March 17, 2016

• Students: "Remembering Our Veterans"

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 13, 2015 Luncheon

• Veterans Day Parades: 

~ West Palm Beach, Sun., Nov. 8; ~ Lake Worth, Wed., Nov. 11

• 70th Anniversary of the End of World War 2

• VA Summer of Service: Volunteer Recognition

• Forgotten Soldiers Outreach realigns its mission

• Bealls Dept. Stores present donation to FSO

• WWII Veterans Return from Honor Flight May 30th, 2015

• Memorial Day Services, Monday, May 25th

• VBOB Holds Spring Luncheon

• Forgotten Soldiers Volunteers photos

• G-Star School of the Arts Receives 

WWII Submarine Memorial Plaque

• Special Wreath Ceremony for 70th Anniversary of VBOB

• Home for Veterans is a Dream Come True

• Boynton Veterans Council Unveils Monument to 

Battle of the Bulge Veterans

• VBOB 70th Anniversary Gala, December 2014

• Veterans' Day Parades 2014

~ Lake Worth and West Palm Beach ~

• Combat Infantrymen's Assn. Hold Fall Luncheon

• Returning Honor Flight WWII Veterans, Oct. 24th at P.B.I.A.

• Boynton Veterans Council Dedicate Two Markers 

Honoring 911 Victims

• American Veterans Awarded French Legion Medal of Honor

• FSO 9th Annual "A Day to Remember"

Memorial Day 2014

• VBOB Spring Luncheon April 27, 2014

~ "The Kiss" (photo)

~ "The Cake" (photo)

~ Korean War Veterans at VBOB luncheon

~ Monument honoring VBOB planned for Boynton Beach Veterans Park

• Fla SE Chapter of the 

Combat Infantrymens Association Spring Luncheon

• VBOB Donates TV to Faith, Hope, Love, Charity

• VBOB Christmas Luncheon 2013

• Veterans' Day Parades, Lake Worth & West Palm Beach

• Stand Down House holds 13th annual picnic

• Memorial Day 2013 Activities

• VBOB Spring Meeting April 21, 2013

• CIA Chapter revived

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Luncheon Dec. 16, 2012

• Wreath Laying Ceremony at 

Riviera Beach Coast Guard Station, Dec. 15, 2012

• Attention Korean War Veterans

• Veterans Day Weekend, November 10 & 11, 2012

Parades in Lakes Worth and West Palm Beach

• Honor Flight article

• Memorial Day Events, May 28, 2012

• Nam Knights Motorcycle Club's 14th Annual Rock 'n Roll Sunday

~ VETERANS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE ~

• Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Florida SE Chpt. (62):

~ Spring Luncheon held, Sun., April 15th 2012 ~

• POW Pledge of Allegiance,  

submitted by Murray Stein, P.Pres. 106th Div.

• Gen. Carlson's speech at the April 2003 VBOB meeting

• "What is a Veteran?" submitted by Jimmy Walker, C.I.A. Cdr.

• Korean War Memorial Unveiled on 60th Anniversary

• A Visit to Omaha Beach

• Helping Homeless Veterans - Stand Down House, Lake Worth

 • Veterans' Organizations Directory 

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW STORIES

VETERANS' HOT LINKS

Last Updated 06/08/2021

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and Palm Beach Memorial Held Their 16th Annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day Service

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

A volunteer carries the wreath 

for the Golden Lakes Italian/American Club.

Photo by Betty Thomas

By Betty Thomas

Memorial Day, May 31st, 2021 was back! The Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and Palm Beach Memorial Park presented their 16th Annual "A Day to Remember".

This year’s theme was Honoring Women in the Military Past, Present and Future. Jim Sackett presided over the day’s activities which included Keynote Speaker, Colonel Eileen Watson, United States Army (Ret.), a Vietnam Veteran; "Greetings from the Military" was given by Lt. Cmdr. Thea Lopez, currently the Commanding Officer of Navy Operational Support Center in West Palm Beach.

The opening ceremonies included the Assembly and Massing of Colors, The Raising of the Flag of the United States of America, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Bryson Baggett, The National Anthem play by bugler Jose Dudley, the Invocation by Kim House, Chaplain, the POW/MIA Ceremony by Captain William Arcuri, USAF, POW "Some Gave All" Billy Ray Cyrus, the Welcome by Chamely "Melly" Toro of Palm Beach Memorial Park and Lynelle Zelnar of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc.

The wreath presentation had 26 participants plus the Wreath of Honor which was carried by Charlotte Rebilliard and Tracy Caicedo. "Taps" was played by Buglers Jose Dudley (National Anthem), Armando Cedaeno (Call to the Colors) and Samuel Millington (Echo Taps) which was followed by the Dove Release by Daisy troops #20609 & 20345. After closing ceremonies refreshments were available --- hot dogs, chips, ice cream sandwiches, iced drinks and ice water. As always, the event was well attended, and very well organized.

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center begins COVIE-19 Vaccine Distribution

(12-31-20)

West Palm Beach, FL — The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center began COVID-19 vaccination today following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization.

"The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is excited to offer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel, community living center residents and other congregate living units at our facility," said Cory Price, director of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. "Receiving the vaccine at this time of the year offers us a renewed hope going into the new year. As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all enrolled veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated."

Thirty-seven medical centers began offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and Veterans Dec 14. The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center was one the additional VA facilities to receive an allocation of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 21.

Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, employees and Veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often.

As vaccines become available for more groups of Veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible Veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on VA’s VA COVID-19 vaccine webpage, which launched on December 11, 2020, and sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine on the VA’s Stay Informed page. They may also contact their health care provider or call the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center toll-free at 1-877-741-3400.

Veterans Day Parade 

West Palm Beach, 2019

Photos by Betty Thomas

Project 425 Crew. Project 425 is a tribute to the United States Military. 

It started with the restoration of a Huey Helicopter.

L-R, Sgt. Wayne Jackson, Jr. and Gen. Wayne Jackson (ret), 

Grand Marshal of the Parade

Military Order of the 

Purple Heart Post 717: 

L-R, Charlie W. Dykes, Cmdr.;

Tom Ashfeld and Peter Kost.

VFW Post 4360 & Aux. 

Palm Springs: 

L-R, Joey Bellopede (PCdr.), Mitchell McCoy, Pres (Aux), 

Rick Kalbach, 

Mike Farley, 

Karen Brown.

JWV Post 440: 

L-R, Richard Cooper, 

Kurt Leuchter, Arnold Zenker, 

Jerry Schnur (Sr. Vice Cmdr. and Past Cmdr.)

VFW Post 4360 & Aux. Palm Springs: 

L-R, Joey Bellopede (PCdr.), Mitchell McCoy, Pres (Aux), 

Rick Kalbach, Mike Farley, 

Karen Brown.

American Legion Post 12: L-R, 

Col. Bob Rehbert 

(Lt. Cmdr.of the Post), 

and Hercules Apostoudis.

Robert Flynn, Yoeman 2nd class., US Submarine Force in Vietnam, and Mary Sassone (she joined the Florida Elk's because her dad was a POW for 17 months). 

The Elk's Club offers Mobile Children's In-home therapy since 1999

Bob Clark, WWII, 10th Armored Division, Battle of the Bulge and a member of the Florida Elk's Club.

On Sunday, November 10, 2019 over two thousand veterans and supporters of veterans will marched in the largest Veterans Day Parade held in Palm Beach County. Held for the past 11 years in downtown West Palm Beach, this year’s parade welcomed Presenting Sponsor Office Depot.

The Veterans Day Parade, produced each year by the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee, began at 2 p.m. and traveled from west to east on Clematis starting at Rosemary and ending at Flagler Drive. 

Leading the parade was the 2019 Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshals Major General Wayne P. Jackson and his Project 425 Crew. Project 425 is a tribute to the United States Military. It started with the restoration of a Huey Helicopter, has grown to serve as a rally point at parades, meetings, service organizations and support groups. It is dedicated to the memory of those who have served in the armed forces and to the education of kids and adults by giving them a tangible connection to the historic equipment used in warfare. Vehicles in this year’s parade included: Huey helicopter, Jeep, Duce and Half, ¾ ton Dodge Power Wagon, 5 ton and a Humvee.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 14th Annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2019

Photos by 

Betty Thomas & Jimmy Shirley

Assembly & Massing of Colors

Sgt. Scott Martin, 

Maj. Gen. Wayne P. Jackson and

 Chaplain Anthony Beazley

Seymour Kirschner, JWV Post 440, lives at Lucerne Greens. 

He is a Korean War Veteran.

Golden Lakes America Social Club wreath presented by Girl Scouts, Troops 20609 & 24501

Golden Lakes Italian American Social Club wreath presented by Boy Scouts of America Troop 395

Wreath of Honor presented by Master Sergeant Dale Strand, US Army Retired (seated) assisted by Petty Officer Francine O’Brien, US Navy Active Reserves

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and Palm Beach Memorial Park presented their 14th Annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day Ceremonies and Wreath Presentations at the PB Memorial Park Cemetery Monday, May 27th.

Opening ceremony started with the Assembly and Massing of Colors followed by the raising of the Flag of the United States accompanied by the Bugle Call "To the Colors", the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Bryson Baggett, the singing of the National Anthem, the invocation by James Gavrilow, Pres/CEO of the Education Foundation of PB County, the Hero’s POW/MIA Ceremony by Bill Arcuri.

Twenty nine patriotic organizations presented wreaths followed by the presentation of the Wreath of Honor. Emcee Jim Sackett introduced dignitaries & honored guests. Greetings from the Military was given by Sergeant Scott Martin, US Army. The Keynote Speaker was Maj. Gen. Wayne P. Jackson Retired US Army. Jackson also served in the US Marine Corps and the US Army Air Corps. Benediction was provided by Chaplain Anthony Beazley, VA Medical Center, Retired US Airforce. The Rifle Salute by the PG County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard; Taps, and the Dove Release finalized the day’s event.

And, the weather was perfect!

Veterans Day Parade

Lake Park, FL

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Photos by Betty Thomas

Lake Park, FL, held their first annual Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 11,m 2018, followed by their 13th annual Antique Auto show. Pictured (l-r): Town Mgr. John D’Agostino, Mayor Michael O’Rourke, Vice Mayor Kimberly Glas-Castro and Commissioner Roger Michaud.

VFW Riders, Post 9610, Lake Park

Lake Park resident Gerald Kielty watched the parade along Park Ave. after which he went to the Town’s 13th Annual Veterans Day Car show hosted by Mike Scott. Kielty worked for the Palm Beach Facilities Development & Operations Dept. before retiring. And ... he knew Condo News founder Jerry Heacock.

Veterans Day Parade 

West Palm Beach, FL

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Photos by Betty Thomas

Korean War Veterans Chapter 17, Delray Beach

L-R: Howard Garlin, Harry Rosenstein, Jerry Gerson, Sal D’Angelo,  

George Pearlman, Cdr.Stanley Gavlick, Neil Mitchell.

American Legion Palm Beach Post 12

Front: Pete Miller, Back Seat: Art Wroble, Driver: Hercules Apostolidis

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4360 Palm Springs

L-R: Paul Bosco, Cdr.; Marie Sande, Qtr. Mstr.; Joey Bellopede, P.Cdr.;

Carol J. Noll, 4x P.Pres./Dist.3 Pres.; Ruthie Lee, Driver;

 Brian K. Hedrick, P. Cdr.

Jewish War Veterans Post 440, Boynton Beach

L-R: Richard Cooper, Arnold Zenker, Jerry Schnum, Cdr.

West Palm Beach held their Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, November 4, 2018. The largest Veterans Day Parade being held in Palm Beach County drew thousands of spectators. The parade route traveled the entire length of Clematis Street from Rosemary St. and ended at Flagler Drive. The Grand Marshal was Judge Ted Booras, also a veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. The 2018 parade included more participants than ever before with veteran's groups, bands, show  cars, motorcycles, floates, armed services vehicles and a Car Show featuring over 100 vehicles at the end of the parade route in Flagler Park. Above are some of the Veterans Organizations found by the Condo News camera.

IN MEMORIAM

Brig. Gen. Albin F. Irzyk

U.S. Army (Retired)

January 2, 1917 - September 10, 2018

Brig. Gen. Albin F. Irzyk (ret) at the Dec. 17, 2017 VBOB luncheon. This was the last time for the chapter to meet. Also, last photos of Gen. Irzyk. The Chapter celebrated the General's 101st birthday at that meeting. 

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

(9-26-18)

I met Gen. Irzyk at the first meeting of the newly formed Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fla Chapter (62) on December 16, 1999. The meeting/luncheon was held at the 391st Bomb Group Restaurant which was located on Palm Beach Inbternational Airport’s south side property. It was the 55th anniversary of the WWII Battle of the Bulge. The General gave a thorough account of his role as Tank Battalion Commander of the 4th Armored Division under Gen. Patton. This was the first of twice yearly meetings over the next 19 years, 4 months. I was blessed to have attended every one of them. Gen. Irzyk’s death marks the end of an era. Our beloved "Greatest Generation" is leaving us. God bless them one and all.

Following is the obituary for Gen. Irzyk provided by his son, Al Jr.

— Betty Thomas, publisher

Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk USA (Retired), son of Felix and Sophie Irzyk, died September 10, 2018. He was born in Salem, MA on January 2, 1917 and was educated in the Salem Public School system where as a high school senior he was voted most likely to succeed. He graduated from Massachusetts State College in Amherst with a BA in English in 1940. While in College Irzyk was a three time letterman in baseball and football, and was awarded the Allan Leon Pond Memorial Medal for his outstanding play on the football team. Years later, in 1964, Sports Illustrated Magazine would select Albin Irzyk to receive their Silver Anniversary All America Award. Academically, Irzyk was President of his college honor society, a member of the student government body, President of his fraternity and upon graduation was selected as "Man of the Year." While at college Irzyk was a member of the Reserve Officer's Training Program (ROTC).

General Irzyk began his military career on July 1, 1940 with the 3rd United States Cavalry (Horse) Regiment at Fort Ethan Allen, VT. His Regimental Commander was Colonel George S. Patton, Jr. General Irzyk fought World War II as a twenty seven year old Tank Battalion Commander in the famed 4th Armored Division, which spearheaded General Patton's Third Army all across Europe. He commanded the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment along the "Iron Curtain" at maximum alert during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. General Irzyk was the Commanding General of Headquarters Area Command (HAC) in Saigon during the TET Offensive of 1968. His next assignment was as Assistant Division Commander of the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. General Irzyk's last assignment, prior to his retirement from active duty in 1971, was Commanding General of Fort Devens, MA.

His decorations for valor include the Distinguish Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. His other decorations include the Distinguish Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, and eleven Air Medals. General Irzyk's foreign decorations include the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Czech War Cross and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. On February 18, 2017 he was awarded the Officer in the Order of the Crown of Belgium for his exploits in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.

General Irzyk's accomplishments outside the service are noteworthy. He served as General Manager and Headmaster of a private secondary school. He sat on boards as a Director for such organizations as Rotary and the American Red Cross in addition to being the President of the European Council of Catholic Men, for which he received the Sir Thomas Moore Award. The United Stated Armor Association awarded him the prestigious Gold medallion, Order of St. George.

General Irzyk has been a frequent guest speaker at Veteran's meetings, ceremonies, parades and dedications. He was a founding member and continues as the Vice Chair of the South Florida Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. In addition he has made numerous talks at schools of all levels to discuss the holocaust and what he encountered in April of 1945 when his battalion liberated the first concentration camp in Germany.

General Irzyk is the author of six books, four about World War II, the TET Offensive in Saigon, Vietnam in 1968, and the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His most recent book was published the year he celebrated his 100th birthday.

General Irzyk has been a guest on the Weather Channel's program "When Weather Changed History," On Oliver North's program "War Stories – the Remarkable Life and Mysterious Death of General George S. Patton, Jr.," two programs on the History Channel series Great Tank Battles – "The Battle of the Bulge" and "The Arracourt Tank Battle," and the Military Channel Series "Patton 360."

General Irzyk is survived by his wife of 72 years Evelyn, three children, a nephew, five grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Annette and George 

at Brooklyn College, Sept. 1946

Annette and George 

looking VERY classy 

at the Copacaba, June 1948. 

Annette Fisher 

with her sons 

(l-r) Gary and Robert 

after the funeral. 

(7-18-18)

By Betty Thomas 

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

We are deeply saddened to report that George Fisher, President and founder of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fla SE Chpt (62) passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 6:00am. Most of us here in Palm Beach County knew him as a tireless advocate of the Veterans, using every opportunity to educate children (10th and 11th graders at their schools) about that part of WWII that he endured - The Battle of the Bulge as it came to be known. He founded the local VBOB in 1999 with the first meeting/luncheon -- "The Christmas We Never Had" -- on the 55th anniversary of the battle, December 16th. It was held at the former 391st Bomb Group Restaurant that was located at the south end of Palm Beach International Airport. He figured on 34 veterans and guests to attend.

The Chapter grew in leaps and bounds. Future luncheons would be held at a nearby Hotel in their banquet room. The chapter had some 300 members at one point, the largest in the country according to George. He would go on for the next 18 years to organize meeting/luncheons every April and December.

I was fortunate to be invited to every luncheon from the first to the last which was on Dec. 17, 2017, the 73rd anniversary of the battle.

George served in the 26th Inf. Div. of General Patton’s 3rd Army. He landed in Normandy 90 days after D-Day. After only one month of training in France, they were ordered to the front lines which were in the frozen forests of the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg. The Battle of the Bulge began Dec. 16th, 1944. It was over Jan. 25, 1945 and was one of the bloodiest battle of WWII. It was a turning point -- the American forces held back the Germans, but the cost was dear. There were 80,000 casualties, 19,000 dead.

Fisher was wounded on Jan. 3rd. He said: "Luckily I was wounded. Shrapnel went through my legs in January -- Jan. 3 to be exact. I spent almost a year in a hospital and then I was discharged."

George Fisher was married to his college sweetheart, Annette, for 70 years. He liked to tell people that their formula for their marriage lasting so long was: "It’s simple. We go out to dinner twice a week. I go Monday and Wednesday and she goes Tuesday and Thursday and it works out very well."

George and Annette lived part time at the Claridges Condominium in Palm Beach and summers in New York. Eventually, they made Palm Beach their year-round home. He would say that he didn’t want to see snow ever again. "It snowed for 10 or 12 consecutive days (in the Ardennes). It was so cold you couldn’t dig a foxhole. We couldn’t light a fire because the smoke would give us away. So there was no way to warm up. We urinated on the rifles in a circle to keep the bolts from freezing. Otherwise the rifles would not work," he would explain.

George Fisher was a "Master Organizer." In Florida, he worked at a Real Estate firm in the south end of the county. They were a small company, but George taught them how to grow their business and now they are a large successful company. His sons related many stories about George and how he always had projects going on. Going is the key. He was always going somewhere and would say to Annette and the boys, "Keep up or catch up." He was dubbed "St. George the Good."

You could always find George in the Veterans’ Day parades, sometimes two -- West Palm Beach and Lake Worth parades. He was very detailed about where he wanted to be placed in the line-up for the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Post 717, of which he was also a member. Charlotte Rebilliard, one of the West Palm Beach parade organizers told me that George was so detailed as to his place in the parade that she would start with George and plan the rest of the parade around him.

On Memorial Day, George would first attend the ceremonies at the National Veterans Cemetery in west Lake Worth and then hurry over to Lantana to participate in the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach wreath presentation and services at the Palm Beach Memorial Park. I don’t know how he managed. He was present for the wreath ceremony this year on May 28th. That was the last time I saw him.

George leaves his lovely wife of 70 years, Annette, his two sons Robert and Gary, and his grandson Eric (Robert’s son). Interment was Thurs., July 12 at the S. Fla. National Cemetery.

Jim Sackett

Bill Arcuri

Jason Keating

Lt. Kate Arrizzo

George Fisher with Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Wreath

Gen. Wayne Jackson (ret), Sgt. Wayne Jackson, Jr., and Fr. Sanford

 Sears, Retired Coast Guard, Post Chaplain at Pt. Everglades 

and Sons of the Am. Revolution.

Sons of Confederate Veterans: Cdr. Jimmy Shirley, Adj. Pete Johnston, and Kathy Clark-Tilson, OCR, present the SCV wreath.

The POW-MIA Ceremony Table: 

This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, 

alone against his or her suppressors.

The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions 

to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single red rose in the face signified the blood many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. 

This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.

The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. 

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the 

countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted - they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair is empty - they are not here.

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts 

to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, 

to the open arms of a grateful nation.

Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.

By Betty Thomas

Palm Beach Memorial Park and Forgotten Soldiers Outreach presented the 13th annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day ceremony and wreath presentation on Monday, May 28th, 2018.

The program, Emceed by Jim Sackett, began with the Assembly & Massing of Colors by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Boynton Beach Fire Department Honor Guard, the Boca Delray Division of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Forest Hill High School JROTC Drumline, Olympic Heights High school Marine Corps JROTC, the Royal Palm Beach High School JROTC, the Santaluces High School Army JROTC, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 395, and the Cub Scouts of America Pack 241.

The raising of the U.S. Flag, Bugle call "To the Colors" was performed by Maxwell Nelson & Armando Cedeno; the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Bryson Baggett, the National Anthem was sung by Haileigh Galloway; the Invocation was given by Fr. David Kennedy.

The POW/MIA ceremony was narrated by Bill Arcuri followed by the Wreath Presentations. Jason Keating, US Marine Corps, gave Greatings from the Military. Keynote Speaker was Lt. Kate Arrizzo, former U.S. Navy Officer (1999-2009).

The Wreath Presentation was offered by more than twenty patriotic organizations followed by the Wreath of Honor presentation by Barry Tootin, Korean War Veteran and Maxwell Nelson, Vietnam War Veteran.

Haileigh Galloway sang "God Bless America", followed by the Benediction by Fr. Sears.

The Sheriff’s Honor Guard gave the Rifle Salute; "Taps" was played by Buglers Maxwell Nelson & Armando Cedeno.

The Dove Release was handled by the Tiger Cubs from Cub Scouts Pack 241.

The ceremony was capped with hot dogs, chips and soft drinks for all in attendance.

The Memorial Day Planning Committee included: Rosemary A. Mouring, Event Chair, Brandan Widner, Neanelle Knecht, Ken Harris, Lara Lefebvre, Lynelle Zelnar and Maxwell Nelson who are to be commended on another flawless event. And the weather cooperated with perfect temps and not too strong wind.

Quilts of Valor Foundation

Quilts for Veterans

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

(L-R) Linda Boubier, Kathy Wilmore (Aide, Morse Life), 

Lee Hasse, George Fisher, Kristi Kristol (Linda’s daughter), 

and BarryTutin (Korean War Assn, Ch 17)

Patch inside the quilt with presentation message (see story)

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

Diane Paquin Provost- chairwoman for Quilt Guild by the Sea’s 

Quilt of Valor outreach program (photo provided)

By Betty Thomas

Quilts of Valor is an outreach program which was begun by Quilt Guild by the Sea to provide quilts made by their members to veterans and service members who have been touched by war. Founder Catherine Robert, decided to make her son a quilt using patriotic fabrics after he returned from active duty in Iraq. When her son received the quilt, his whole demeanor changed from despair to hope and well-being. Soon she and her friends formed the Quilts of Valor foundation. To date more than 185,000 quilts have been awarded to veterans by members of the foundation, all volunteers.

A label inside the quilt reads:

This quilt was made with loving care as a gift of thanks for all 

that you have done to defend and protect our country. 

We are sincerely grateful for your sacrifice. 

May this quilt provide you with warmth and comfort.

Pieced and Quilted by members of

Quilt Guild by the Sea, Boca Raton, Florida 2018.

On Friday, May 25th, Quilts of Valor presented a quilt to George Fisher in appreciation for his military service and the outstanding service he has provided to Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fl SE Chpt (62) organizing the VBOB meetings twice a year since Dec. 16, 1999, the 55th anniversary of the Battle. George is founder and president of the VBOB chapter.

For more information about Quilts of Valor, visit their website at:

https://www.qovf.org/

Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society Spring 2018 Luncheon & Meeting

By Kathy Sreenan, Board Member

Photo by Kathy Sreenan

(4-25-18)

Members and guests of the Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society met again to honor and help continue the legacy of those who served in the 8th Air Force. Our Spring luncheon and meeting was held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at noon at the Gallery Grille Restaurant in Tequesta, FL.

We had 30 people in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kathy Sreenan. Sidney Katz led us in singing the Air Force Song and God Bless America. President Bill Uphoff introduced the Board of Directors. The minutes were read by Secretary Esther Cheriff. Nicholas Apostal gave the financial report for the Treasurer.

President Bill Uphoff started the meeting with a touching toast "to the west" and Jim Hart gave a stirring prayer prior to a delicious lunch.

We were honored to have guest speaker Carl Verstrepen, three of his colleagues and their wives from Lochristi, Belgium. Here is how Carl came to be speaker:

The annual Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade, is the largest first responder parade in the world, and has long been dedicated to the men and women of emergency services who protect citizens on a daily basis. In 2016, the parade committee decided to also honor sixty WWII veterans who served when America and the world needed them most. Every veteran was escorted by a uniformed fire/rescue or law enforcement officer from the local area and from around the world. Carl Verstrepen escorted Bill Uphoff, our President of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and US Army Air Corps B-17 pilot through the parade.

Carl has been part of a group of Belgian and Dutch firefighters who faithfully travel to Florida to march and represent their countries in the parade since 2012. In 2016, when they found out that sixty American WWII veterans were scheduled to lead the parade, they made a tribute video to our veterans, never forgetting how these men fought for their liberation.

After the parade, Carl had a moment with Bill and reverently bestowed to him his official Fire Observer’s badge as a thank you for helping liberate his country long ago. Carl said later, "It was my honor, and I can speak for the other Belgians as well, to have participated in this parade to honor those vets and to have shown them my utmost respect and gratitude for what they did a little over 70 years ago."

Since then, Carl has escorted Bill in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2017 and also in this year’s parade.

Carl is currently active within the Fire, Emergency Service and Helicopter Emergency Services in Lochristi, Belgium. He is also a Rescue Swimmer, Fire Instructor, EMS instructor and Trauma and Critical Care Transport team member. He is CFO of the Fire Observers of Belgium.

We were all moved (many to tears) by Carl’s presentation. To tie in his gratitude to those men and women who fought to liberate his country in WWII and his meeting of Bill Uphoff, Carl traveled to many memorials and cemeteries in Belgium and tracked down 8th Air Force members buried in these resting places, and told their stories, or what he could find on them. He soberly explained the importance of these men and others who served and serve today: "Millions of Americans have fought and dies on battlefields here and abroad to defend our nations, our freedom and our way of life. Today your troops continue to make the ultimate sacrifices, and even as you lose troops, more Americans step forward to say: I’m ready to serve! They follow in the footsteps of generations of fine Americans. They march in the footprints of the Greatest Generation!"

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fla SE Chpt. (62) hold Dec. 2017 Luncheon

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Brig. Gen. Al Irzyk (ret), Chapter Cdr., celebrated his 101st birthday. He was presented a cake at the luncheon.

R. Steven Murray, Lt. Col. USAF (ret) Communications Dir. of the Dept of Veterans Affairs presented George Fisher a plaque declaring Dec. 16 Battle of the Bulge day in Florida and a photo of Fisher with Fl. Gov. Scott at the presentation of Fisher and other local vets of the Gov's. Fla. Vet. Service Medals.

Guest speaker for the luncheon was Ms. Donna Katem-Bahensky, the newly appointed Director of the West Palm VA Medical Center. George Fisher, Chapter President, presented her with a commemorative clock.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Irzyk (U.S. Army Ret), commander of the Chapter, with Lt. Gen. Joseph DisSalvo, U.S. Army Armored Cav., Southern Command. Gen. Irzyk was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame by Lt. Col. R. Steven Murray.

Group picture of the VBOB chapter members.

Donald Mates of 3360 S. Ocean Blvd., shared a table with friends and family. Standing, l-r: Lewis Kapner (former judge); Eric Aronheim (Purple Heart;, Donald Mates (3rd. Marine Division, Purple Heart); Kevin Morris, Arnold Alexander. Seated, l-r: Barbara Mates-Morris; Ilse Aronheim; Layne Abrams; Nancy Alexander.

(L-r): Lt. Gen. Joseph DeSalvo, U.S. Army Armored Cav., Southern Command; Norman Frajman, President & Chairman Speakers Bureau and child survivor of the Holocaust; Lee DeSalvo and Shelley Frajman.

Members of the Young Marines of the Palm Beaches and the Naval Sea Cadets were guests of the VBOB. They also presented the Colors.

By Betty Thomas,

The 73rd Anniversary Gala "The Christmas We Never Had" luncheon was held at the Hilton Hotel, Palm Beach Airport, on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Some 160 members and guests attended.

The chapter meets twice a year, in December and in April.

For information about the Chapter, please contact George Fisher, president and founder, at (561) 585-7086, OR EMAIL HIM AT GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com.

Veterans Day Parade

West Palm Beach

Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017

Photos by Betty Thomas

(L-r) Roy Foster, founder of Faith*Hope*Love*Charity; 

Joe "Jiggs" Petrucci, WWII (VBOB); 

Jerry Klein, Vietnam Veterns of America Ch 25; 

George Fisher, WWII, (Founder of VBOB); 

and Barry Tutin, Korean War Veteran.

Purple Heart Chpt. 717: 

front - Charlie Dyks, Cdr; George Fisher and Bill McCaw, chaplain.

JWV Post 440: 

Arnold Zenker 

and Jerry Schnur, Cdr.

George Fisher with 

Donna Katen-Bahensky,

 new director of the 

VA Hospital in WPB

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 12th Annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day 2017

Photos by Betty Thomas unless otherwise noted

George Fisher, Pres. and Founder of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fla SE Chpt. 62 with the Chapter’s wreath.

(l-r) Maj. Wayne Jackson (ret) and Sgt Wayne Jackson, Jr. with Col. Banna Ghioto (ret) were among the dignitaries present at the event. Col. Ghioto celebrated her 100th birthday on April 27th. She has lived in Lake Clark Shores for 59 years and is the oldest resident of the town. Banna enlisted in the Army as a nurse in 1931.

Above: Toni Paige (right), Golden Lakes Village

Left: (l-r) Enid Cohen of Cresthaven Emory, and Betty Thomas.

(Photo by Jimmy Shirley)

(6-7-17)

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach 12th Annual "A Day to Remember" and Palm Beach Memorial Park in Lantana held their 12th Annual "A Day to Remember" service on Monday, May 29th.

Wreath presentations were made by patriotic organizations. Keynote speaker was Vietnam Veteran Tech. Sgt. Michael W. Coleman (ret Air Force).

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Hold Spring Luncheon

By Betty Thomas

Photos by Betty Thomas

Maj. Gen. John Van Blois (ret) holds a clock presented to him by George Fisher (26th Inf. Div.).

(l-r) William Langfan 

(WWII U.S. Army anti-aircraft unit) and son Mark Langfan

Standing, l-r: Carl Candela, Maddy Greenberg, Donald Mates (3rd Marine Division, Purple Heart), Kevin Morris, Eric Ahronheim (Purple Heart); Seated, l-r: Barbara Mates-Morris, Carol Mates-Candela, Layne Abrams, Ellie Hart-Alpert, Ilse Ahronheim.

L-r: George Fisher, Pres. VBOB, with Charlie Morgenstin, Exec. Dir. VHH, Irwin Stovroff, founder, Sharon Morgenstein, Maj. Gen. John Van Blois (ret), and Cash, the VHH team. VHH provides the financial support for assistance dogs that are trained by professionals for veterans who have served honorably and for active duty military personnel injured during service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Vets Helping Heroes patch.

(4-27-17)

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Florida Southeast Chapter (62) held its spring luncheon Sunday, April 23, 2017, at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport.

Presentation of Colors was by the Young Marines of Palm Beach. George Fisher, Chapter President and founder was Master of ceremonies. Dr. Harold Berkman led the Pledge of Allegiance and Rev. Anthony Beazley, Chief Chaplain of the VA Medical Center gave the Invocation and Moment of Silence for Fallen Comrades.

Other speakers were Sonia Foster, President of the Navy League of the U.S., Palm Beach County Committee; and Bob Erskine, VBOB Board Member.

Keynote speaker was Major General (ret) John Van Blois, USAF, who served during the Berlin Crisis, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and first Iraq War. He was a graduate of Air War College and served 39 years. He has a BS in Engineering and Doctorate in Computer Science.

He spoke about Vets Helping Heroes, a 501(c)3 organization that sponsors assistance dogs for veterans by raising funds for the purchase and training of the dogs. So far, the organization has sponsored over 300 dogs. 92% of all money collected goes to buying and training dogs, said Blois.

Founder of Vets Helping Heroes is Irwin Stovroff who was present with his service dog, Cash. Stovroff, a Lt. during the war, served with the 8th Air Force during WWII, was shot down and was a POW at Stalag Luft-1 for 1 year. He was in the service a total of 4 years. Stovroff also received an honorary Doctorate.

With Blois and Stovroff were Vets Helping Heroes Exec. Director Charlie Morgenstein, Esq., and his wife Sharon, also with Vets Helping Heroes.

Anyone interested in Vets Helping Heroes may contact them at 561-953-5250 or email: vhhinfo@ VetsHelpingHeroes.org.

For information about Veterans of the Bulge Chapter please contact George Fisher at 561-585-7086 or email him at GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com.

The Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society Holds Spring Luncheon

By Betty Thomas

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Bill Uphoff, Pres.

Jim Hart, V. Pres.

Josh Liller, Jupiter Lighthouse Historian

(4-26-17)

Members of the Florida Chapter Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society, held their Spring Luncheon on Saturday, April 15th, 2017, at the Gallery Grill in Tequesta.

Pledge of Allegiance, led by Sid Katz, was recited and Air Force Song was robustly sung by the membership, President Bill Uphoff led the Toast, and V.Pres. Jim Hart led the prayer.

Following lunch, the Board of Directors were introduced and minutes were read by Esther Cheriff. Jim Hart gave the treasurers report.

The keynote speaker was Josh Liller, historian and collection manager at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, gave a very interesting talk about how WWII affected Palm Beach County, as well as along the coast of Florida. There were blackout restrictions, including lights from homes, hotels, streets, parks. This was important because the lights could silhouette allied merchant ships making them a target for German U-boats. The merchant ships were used to carry war supplies and fuel. They were targets of the U-boats carrying torpedoes. In February, 1942, two ships were sunk off Jupiter Inlet.

The Lighthouse Reservation, as it was called, was the site of an important installation, that, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, was called the U.S. Naval Supplementary Radio Station Jupiter. It had the code name of Station J. When the submarines would surface every night to charge their batteries and send reports back to Germany, Station J could pinpoint the U-boats, ID them and transmit their location to US Gulf and Atlantic stations who would deploy aircraft attack the U-boats. These attacks put an end to the German dominance in the Atlantic.

For information about membership in the Florida Chapter 8th AirForce Historical Society, call Bill Uphoff at 561-747-4295.

West Palm Beach Veterans' Day Parade, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016

Photos by Betty Thomas

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Fla SE (62);

L-R: Bob Erskin, George Fisher (Pres. and founder), 

and Jiggs Petrucci. 

Seated in the car is Jane Erskin.

Post 440 Jewish War Veterans: L-R: Irv Shildkraut, Kurt Leuchter, Cdr. of the Color Guard, George Fisher and Jerry Schnur, Cdr.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, 

Palm Springs Post #4360: L-R: Dick Hughs of Palm Springs brought his 1930 Model A Roadster. Riding with him are Joey Bellopede, Past Cdr. National Divi. of VFW & V. Pres. Korean War Veterans Assoc.; and Ron Panton, 4th Inf. Div. Vietnam.

Military Order of the 

Purple Heart Ch. 717: 

L-R: John Dougan, Charles Dykes and George Fisher

Vietnam Veterans of America, Ch. 25: 

L-R: Jerry Klein, P. Pres; Ken Link, Marc Goodell, Ron Kasperek, Aaron Augustus, Jane Lignore and (seated) Tom Corey, Founder and Past National Pres.

American Legion Palm Beach Post 12: 

L-R: Bob Rehberg, Cdr.; Hercules Apostolidis, Warren O’Brien, V. Cdr. and Peter Miller.

Forgotten 

Soldiers 

Outreach

On Sunday, November 6, several thousand spectators lined Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach for the largest Veterans Day Parade held in Palm Beach County with over 1,800 participants walking, marching or riding.

"Our hometown Veterans Day Parade was a perfect way for the entire community to came together to show respect and appreciation for the men and women who have given and continue to give their all to insure the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America," said David Knapp, Parade Chair & Vietnam Veteran.

The Palm Beach County Veterans Committee thanks all who came out in support including volunteers, participants and donors.

The Veterans Day Parade was generously supported by the City of West Palm Beach; Platinum sponsor Florida Public Utilities; Silver sponsors Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath LLP, Murray & Guari Trial Attorneys PL and Palm Beach Kennel Club; Bronze sponsors Broad and Cassel, Earl Stewart Toyota; donors Alliance of Delray Residential Association and City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Ryan; and Media sponsors AlphaMedia WIRK/WFTL and The Palm Beach Post.

The mission of the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee, Inc., is to proudly honor through the Memorial Day Ceremony and the Veterans Day Parade our past, present, and future veterans in this our Country the United States of America.

The Palm Beach County Veterans Committee is comprised of volunteers from local veterans’ organizations and community activists. They receive no grants or funds from any government agency and rely entirely on private donations. The Committee was established as a DBA by the Friends of Veterans, Inc. (FOV). The FOV is a Florida not-for-profit corporation, established in 1993, that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FOV is licensed to receive charitable contributions by the State of Florida.

For additional information please visit pbcveteranscommittee@gmail.com or email pbcveteranscommittee@gmail.com.

Florida Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society Holds Fall Luncheon

Story & Photos by Betty Thomas

V.P. Jim Hart & Pres. Bill Uphoff

Secy. Esther Cheriff and

Board Member Sid Katz

Speaker Irwin Lebow

Judith and Irving D. Lebow

About 20-25 members and guests, including some high school students, attended the Oct. 22nd luncheon which had originally been scheduled for Oct. 15. The date was changed due to the forecast of a possible direct hit by Hurricane Matthew. Fortunately, the storm took a right jog and missed Palm Beach County. There were some 50 reservations for the Oct. 15th date, but many were unable to attend on the 22nd. 

On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, some 25 members and guests met at Duffy’s Sports Grill in Palm Beach Gardens for the Fall Luncheon of the Florida Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. Jim Hart, Vice Pres., called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Air Force Song enthusiastically sung by the members. Bill Uphoff, Pres., gave a toast and Jim Hart led a prayer. After introducing the Board of Directors, Secretary Esther Cheriff read the minutes. Lunch was served.

The keynote speaker was Irwin Lebow of Boynton Beach who flew with the 27th Fighter Group which was reactivated in 1942. His plane was a P47-D Dive Bomber. He flew 93 missions over Italy, France and Germany. The 27th was the Patton Support Group. His most memorable mission was the 1945 Rocon -- flying over a P.O.W. camp, they caught a troop of SS Soldiers which they "eliminated."

But Irwin’s back story was equally interesting. He and his wife met on the beach. Actually, she says she "picked him up." She was with her parents (she was a teenager) and he with his. She and Irwin got married just 4 days before he was called to report for training. He wife followed him and they were together until he was shipped out.

GREETINGS FROM ...

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge 

St. Louis Gateway Chapter

Hello, Dear Condo News, Inc., Family, Friends, & Associates,

In looking on your website, it reminded me to tell all of you that I’ve always loved Veterans with the greatest admiration and honor.

I am a Lifetime Associate Member of our local St. Louis Gateway Chapter VBOB, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. In 2003, I was accepted, decorated, and honored through my (Late) Great Uncle Louis Danz (my Dad’s uncle) that was a U.S. Army Battle of the Bulge Veteran. Enclosed is a pic of our local VBOB group at the last Webster Groves, Missouri July 4th, 2015 Parade, featuring our U.S. M3 Armored Halftrack.

I was also honored by the WWII Veterans from Australia, Canada, England, and from United States in another group in West Palm Beach, Florida known as: Warbirds of the Royal Air Force "specializing" as a Royal Air Force historian for over 20 years in 1994.
Sincerely Yours,

Kevin Turner

(www.gatewayvbob.org)

*P.S. Am also a Patriot Guard Riders Member as well.

*Always Remember Our Veterans, Everywhere, Everyone*

Memorial Day, May 30, 2016

South Florida National Cemetery Memorial Day Program

Palm Beach Memorial Park and Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Inc 11th Annual Memorial Day Wreath Presentation Service

Photos by Betty Thomas

George Fisher, keynote speaker. 

(If it seems that George is everywhere, he is.)

Col. Banna Ghioto (Ret) celebrated her 99th birthday on April 27th. She has lived in Lake Clark Shores for 58 yrs. and is the oldest resident of the town. Banna enlisted in the Army as a nurse in 1931. She is wearing her original uniform.

George Fisher with the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge wreath.

Jimmy Shirley, representing the Sons of Confederate Veterans presents the CSA wreath with Kathy Clark-Tilson, representing the Order of the Black Rose. Kathy is dressed in "widow’s weeds", the traditional mourning dress of the 1860s.

Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar (far right) with her parents, David and Marcia Chauncey.

Memorial Day in South Palm Beach

Photos by Maddy Greenberg

Color Guard 

Flag Presentation Ceremony

Town of South Palm Beach Memorial Day Celebration. Purple Heart Vet, Eric Arenheim leading the pledge with our young generations participating.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Spring Meeting, April 17, 2016

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

"Seven Stars and One Stripe"

(L-r)  Lt. Gen Pete Osman (ret), U.S. Marine Inf., (Gen. Irzyk’s son in law), Lt. Gen Joseph DiSalvo, U.S. Army Armored Cav., Southern Command, and Brig. Gen. Alvin Irzyk (U.S. Army Ret). and commander of the V.B.O.B., and George Fisher (Pvt).

Fisher Family -- Three Generations

George and Annette Fisher are pictures (seated) with their sons Gary at left standing and Robert (right), and their grandson Eric (center). Eric is Robert’s son. Eric is a technology product designer. He has created the social design at Facebook, worked at Google, Apple, and other "social media" companies. At Facebook, Eric worked with Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook. George and Annette live at Claridges Condominium in Palm Beach. George is President of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge local chapter.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge held their spring luncheon on Sunday, April 17, 2016, at the Hilton, Palm Beach Airport. Over 100 members and their guests were in attendance. Keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. Joseph P. DiSalvo, U.S. Army, Mil. Dept. Cmdr, U.S. Southern Command. He served 7 years in Europe, commanded the 1st Sqdn., 3rd Armored Cavalry Reg. and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div. He served on the Army Staff and the Joint Staff. His duties included analyzing the U.S. Army drawdown in the 1990s, Iraq Div. Chief during the surge; Dep. Dir. for U.S. Homeland Defense. and Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command. In Bosnia, he was a Dep. Div. G2 and aid to the Stabilization Forces Cmdr. In Iraq he was a Brig. Combat Team Cmdr. in Fallujah and Sadr City and was the U.S. Forces-Iraq Dep. Chief of Staff focusing on the transition to Iraqi Security forces.

Combat Infantrymen's Association Hold Spring Luncheon, March 17

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

George Fisher (right) presents 

Don Mates with a 

commemorative clock.

Regarding the flag raising at Iwo Jima: "The photographer Joe Rosenthal was so busy setting his camera up for the shot, he nearly missed it." 

The C.I.A held their spring luncheon on March 17, 2016. Pictured are members of the Order of Purple Heart, Chpt 717, l-r, James Mayes, US Army; and Kip Monroe, Past Cdr. with his niece Joanne Robson, who was visiting from Wisconsin.

l-r: Annette Fisher, 

Connie Roth and 

Muriel Berkman

Marilyn and Milton Milbauer

Joseph "Jiggs" Petrucci lives in Boundbrook Condominium

in Palm Springs

Seymour Kirschner, JWV Post 440, lives at Lucerne Greens

Harold Berkman, 

80th Div. Patton’s 3rd Army

By Betty Thomas

The Combat Infantrymen’s Association Company B held their spring luncheon on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton. Keynote speaker was Don Mates, a Marine Corps veteran of WWII with the Third Marine Division. He fought in the Pacific Theater in Guam and then, with the Fourth Division, he was sent to Iwo Jima with the Fourth Platoon, a recon company, night fighters who were to locate the Japanese spigot mortars.

Mates told of his friendship with Walter Tremble, the baseball pitcher with the Washington Senators. They were friends before the war, went to Combat Intellegence School together, served together and shared a foxhole in Iwo Jima. Also in the platoon was William Manchester, the famous author.

During the battle, Tremble hollered "grenades." Tremble was in the fox hole and a grenade went off between Mates’ legs. Tremble has been bayonetted in the shoulder, then a Japanese armed with an explosive strapped to him jumped into the foxhold, Mates rolled away. The Japanese pulled the cord, and Tremble was killed. Mates, severely wounded by the grenade, was treated by the medics who used belts as turnicates, and their own bandages. Though his wounds were severe, he recovered completely ... he has 3 children, 7 granddaughters, and 1 great granddaughter.

Regarding the flag raised at Iwo Jima, there were two flags raised. The first one was too small for a publicity shot. A second, larger flag was obtained from one of the ships. The photographer Joe Rosenthal was so busy setting his camera up for the shot, he nearly missed it. The five Marines and Navy Pharmicist Mate began raising the flag. Rosenthal grabbed his camera and took the shot without looking in the viewfinder. He didn’t know it was a great shot.

Mates noted that every Marine has always been jealous of the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge. Instead, Marines are awarded the Combat Ribbon.

Don Mates is Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Post 717.

For information about the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, please contact George Fisher, Commander, at (561) 585-7086.

Students' Project: 

Remembering Our Veterans

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

Bottom row: Maxwell Nelson, George Fisher, Brian Mast; 

2nd row: Zachary Miller, Brandon Davis,

Julian Heidelberg, Rayden Betancourt, Ben Weiss; 

3rd row: Annmarie Mitchell, Seabastian Flores, Elias Loaiza, 

Shayna Walker, Ingrid Chaykowsky, Canaan Walker, 

Luca Heidelberg, Sophie De La Paz

The students and teachers of Global Prospective School located at 215 S. Olive Ave., Suite 100 in West Palm Beach, hosted an event to honor and preserve the legacy of U.S. Veterans on December 18, 2015.

After 6 weeks of research and interview sessions with the veterans, the students created documentaries about the time the veterans served and the lessons they learned. "Our hopes are to show what these people have accomplished in the military, honor the bravery of those who have served our country, and remember the lives of the men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom", the students wrote in a press release about the event. The videos included stories about WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Southern Watch, and 911.

"In light of all the negativity that seems to be surrounding us these days: police brutality, the threat of Islamic extremists, mass shootings in schools, and a growing political division it is important that we share our gratitude to those the risk their lives to protect us. As students of our community it is up to us to be the beacon of light in these dark times and we plan to do this by honoring our veterans," wrote the students. "This unit is the culmination of a unit of study on American history and the results of the efforts of the students’ project." wrote Sophia De La Paz.

Two veterans who were featured in the videos, George Fisher, President of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Fla SE Chpt (62), and Maxwell Nelson, Vietnam War Veteran, were present at the viewing. Brian Mast, Veteran of the war in Afghanistan and double amputee, gave a very moving account of his experiences in the War Against Terrorism in Afghanistan to the students.

Global Prospective School is a home school approach using project based learning and private tutoring.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Dec. 13, 2015 Luncheon

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Brian Mast, Keynote speaker, 

and George Fisher

Counter clockwise from top left: 

Brian Welke, Pres. 106th Inf. Div., National Assn.; 

Clarence Buckman, 106th Inf. Div. and Pres. Ch. 48, VBOB, 

Eustis, FL; 

Barney Mayrsohn, 106th Inf. Div..; 

and Murray Stein, 106th Inf. Div.

Brig. Gen. Albin Irzyk (ret), VBOB Chpt. Cdr., and Bunny Mathisen.

Jim Hart, 8th Air Force

Veterans Day 2015

Veterans Day Parade, Lake Worth, Wed., Nov. 11

Photos by Betty Thomas

Dale Pflum and Javier Yanes of Boynton Beach are pictured with their Yorkie-Terrier Leo after the parade waiting for the ceremonies and speakers.

Veterans Day Parade, 

West Palm Beach, Sun., Nov. 8

Photos by Betty Thomas

Veterans of the 

Battle of the Bulge car

Bob Erskine,

Jane Erskine,

and George Fisher

Jewish War Veterans Post 440 car

George Fisher, Sr Vice Cdr.

and Jerry Schnur, Post Cdr.

Purple Heart Car

Kip Monroe,

Margot Armstrong 

and Charlie Dykes

Members of the Jewish War Veterans Post 501 proudly walked in the Veterans Day Parade in West Palm Beach on Nov. 8th. Pictured, l-r, front row: Anita Ash, Sandra I. Wynn, Roz Meilamed and Jerry Meilamed; middle row: Harvey Brodsky, Cmdr. Howard Loewenthal and 

Sr. Vice Cmdr. Melvin Cohen; back row: Tony Veress, Jerry Weisinger, Harry Porter and Sidney Brown.

Joseph "Jiggs" Petrucci (VBOB) and Jim Simone, John I Leonard High School English teacher,

both of Boundbrook.

Irish Wolf Hound "Bally Finboy" service dog for John Rudolph, U.S. Army 9th Cav Arctic Recon veteran.

Virginia Sayre of Loxahatchee with her dog "Quasi Modo" who won the "World’s Ugliest Dog" contest this year. Quasi Modo was born with a spinal deformity.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

The Forty and Eight Veterans Organization. "The titles and symbols reflect its First World War origins. Americans were transported to the battle front on French trains within boxcars stenciled with a '40/8', denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses." (from the 40 & 8 website)

70th Anniversary of the End 

of World War 2

Photo by Charles Crawford

The Boynton Veterans and the City of Boynton Beach held their ceremonies for the signing of the Peace Treaty in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945.

On September 2, 2015, the 70th anniversary of that event, the Boynton Beach Veterans org. unveiled the last monument in the park honoring all those wounded or killed in all of America’s wars with the Purple Heart medal in full color on a base of gorgeous granite

No ceremony is complete without the French Consul General being on hand to decorate our veterans with the Legion of Honor Medal, their highest ranking medal.

Guest speakers were Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor and U.S. Congressman Ted Deutsch.

For more information, please call Tom Kaiser at 561-276-1796.

VA Summer of Service: 

Volunteer Recognition

Photos by Gene Russell, Medical Photographer
Medical Media, West Palm Beach VAMC

Charlene Szabo, Dir. of VA Hosp. and Kip Monroe

Charlene Szabo, 

Sharadyanne Salomon 

and Mary Phillips, Chief of VA Voluntary Service

Amy Pena and Harriett Kislin

(8-5-15)

As part of a new nationwide initiative "Summer of Service", VA is seeking the help of citizens to create and build partnerships to grow the number of individuals and organizations serving Veterans. One of the goals of this initiative is increasing the number of volunteers.

On Monday, August 3, 2015, three volunteers were recognized for their special achievements: Mr. Harry "Kip" Monroe, Ms. Sharadyanne Salomon, and Ms. Harriett Kislin.

Mr. Kip Monroe, age 93, is the recent recipient of the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Monroe was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army during WWII, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. On May 6, 1945, as the war was about to end within the week and and while traveling back to his command post, he was severely wounded. An artillery round struck the jeep in which he was riding, killing his driver and rendering him unconscious.

"I didn’t awake from my coma until 6 months later when I found myself in a hospital in Boston. A nurse asked me if I wanted to see my wife. I said, How could I do that? I’m, in Germany. She replied, "No. You’re in Boston and your wife is right here." I was lucky to be alive."

For his sacrifice, Mr. Monroe was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. It was the third time he had received the Purple Heart Medal, which is only awarded to those US servicemen and women killed by enemy action or wounded in combat.

In 2001, after accompanying a friend to the WPB VA Hospital, he learned about the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He then got heavily involved with the WPB Chapter No. 717. He is now the volunteer service officer at the WPB VA, directing the MOPH’s program, which provides assistance to hospitalized Veterans and helps any Veterans and their families, not just Purple Heart recipients. Mr. Monroe has volunteered over 20,000 hours at this medical center.

Under Mr. Monroe’s leadership, the West Palm Beach Chapter of the MOPH has grown from 13 members in 2001 to 412 today, ranking it as the largest chapter in the State of Florida.

Mr. Monroe was overwhelmed by the standing ovation he received.

Sharadyanne Salomon was a Youth Volunteer at the WPB VAMC and was selected nationwide as the recipient of the 2015 James H. Parke $20,000 Scholarship Award.

James H. Parke was the first Director of Voluntary Service and the founding father of the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee (NAC).

The James H. Parke Memorial Fund was established in 1976 to serve as the non-profit source of funds for a VAVS Youth Scholarship. Organizations, volunteers, VA staff and others continue to contribute to the Fund.

The scholarship may be used for tuitions and fees, books and supplies and/or room and board or other educational needs purchased through the school of the students’ choice.

Each medical center may nominate one VAVS student volunteer for receipt of the award.

Criteria on which candidates are evaluated for consideration of awards include: Scholastic Activity, Dependability, Fulfillment and acceptance of responsibility, Personality and pleasantness to patients and staff, Leadership capability, Inspiration to patients through service performed, and Appearance.

The South Florida National Cemetery is blessed to have 4 wonderful volunteers that share in honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. One of their most dedicated volunteers is Harriet Kislin.

She started volunteering to read to children in kindergarten when she was in the 3rd grade as an exceptional reader. It wasn’t long after that when she started tutoring 6th grade reading and started volunteering at an early age of 13 years old as a candy striper. Harriet continued to tutor throughout her schooling career. She also volunteered at schools that her children and grandchildren have attended.

Harriet has volunteered throughout her life at several different organizations such as Rutger’s Prep School, The Women’s in distress, Debora Heart Hospital and a retirement home in Clifton. She started volunteering at the South Florida National Cemetery in 2012 when her husband passed. With compassion and dedication she assists visitors during their most difficult and emotional times. Harriet spends countless hours consoling and assisting friends and families in the preparation of their loved ones final resting place. We are definitely honored to have her as part of our team and we are grateful for all she has done for us. She is currently involved in the Veteran’s Project; which is a collection of information regarding veteran’s service that will be added to the congressional library in congress.

Harriet is most proud of her granddaughter, Rachel, from Gainesville. Rachel won an internship with Bank of America out of 226 kids from the US/Canada because of her volunteer work. Harriet has been a great role model to her family and friends and a wonderful asset to the South Florida National Cemetery.

If anyone wishes to volunteer at the medical center or cemetery, they may visit this website http://www.westpalmbeach.va.gov/WESTPALMBEACH/giving/index.asp or call Voluntary Service at 561-422-7373.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach realigns its mission

Bealls Department Stores present a Donation to FSO

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach is focusing all of our efforts on our warehouse at the National Operation Center in Lake Worth and because of this we are closing our thrift store effective today, July 13, 2015.

Over the last 2 years, the community has assisted FSO Furniture & Thrift Store to provide home furnishings to over 235 veterans and their families.

However, with the growing number of troops registering at this time, and in an effort to be prepared, a financial restructure means working solely in our donated space at our National Operation Center (warehouse) with our core mission of sending monthly "We Care" packages to our troops serving overseas. This is where we are concentrating our efforts and any help or support can now be directed straight to our warehouse. This is the core of our mission, where it began and where we see our future.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., a 501(c) tax exempt corporation has been sending monthly "We Care" packages since 2003 to our United States servicemen and servicewomen serving overseas, covering all world theaters. The mission remains to be able to reach out to those who receive little or no support from the home front, by assuring that they are not forgotten. .

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., is a 501(c) tax exempt corporation and can be reached at 561-369-2933 or at www.forgottensoldiers.org for more information.

Left to right:

Lynelle Zelnar (Executive Director and Founder of FSO), David Paddock (Bealls Department Store Representative), Barbara O’Connor & Cassie O’Connor (FSO).

On July 17, 2015, Dave Paddock, Representative of Bealls Department Stores Florida, presented Lynelle Zelnar, Executive Director and Founder of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach ("FSO") and FSO Team a Check in the amount of $4,182.00.

The check presentation was held at Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. National Operation Center in Lake Worth, Florida.

"It’s truly an honor to have a large retail chain as a partner of FSO, and to see how they truly support our troops serving overseas. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the summer is always the slowest time of year for us to obtain funds to assist with the shipping of our monthly ‘We Care’ Packages. People are so busy during the summer with vacations, and not thinking about our troops who provide us with the freedom we so enjoy at home. In just the last week, we received over 300 more names of registered recipients asking us to send them that little bit of home. Thank you Bealls Department Stores and all the patrons who supported this special promotion!" Comments Zelnar.

Bealls Department Stores ran an in store promotion throughout Florida on Americana Day June 30, 2015 where they partnered with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. For Every Reel Legends Item Purchased at each Bealls Florida Department Stores, Bealls donated $1 to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. This check presentation represents the money raised from that promotion.

About Bealls Department Stores: Bealls Department Stores is a division of Bealls, Inc. The Bradenton, Florida-based company, privately held since its opening in 1915, now operates more than 540 stores in 16 states under the names Bealls, Bealls Outlet and Burke’s Outlet. To learn more about Bealls visit BeallsFlorida.com

WWII Veterans Return from Honor Flight, May 30th, 2015

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Honor Flight veterans return home

Honor Flight veterans stop to talk to the children who were there to welcome them back from their extraordinary trip to 

Washington, DC.

(6-10-15)

By Betty Thomas

On Saturday, May 30th, returning Honor Flight WWII veterans were greeted by a highly charged "welcoming committee" of family, friends, patriotic citizens, organizations, children of all ages, scouts, students, color guards, Knights of Columbus, Palm Beach Pipe and Drum Corps, West Palm Beach Fire Department contingency, and more.

There were some 80 veterans, 80 guardians - some of them veterans themselves, and others accompanying the group. It was an all day event. The flight left from Palm Beach International Airport early in the morning for Washington DC and returned to West Palm Beach at 9pm at night. The veterans said it was a fantastic day — "It was like this all day", "This was the best day of my life", and more. There were tears of joy when a 90 year old wife welcomed her husband back. One chaperone, a young veteran, said his face was hurting from smiling all day. Another WWII veteran noted that, "After 70 years ...", his voice trailing, amazement written all over his face. The preparations that many of the young people and children undertook for this event was moving. Many had created signs to hold for the veterans to see, many had dressed in patriotic colors, and plenty of flags.

Honor Flight started in May 2005 with one pilot in Ohio, and today there are 38 hubs in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Southeast Florida Honor Flight was established in 2008 to serve Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. Their mission statement is to honor American veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, with priority given to WWII and terminally ill vets by transporting them to Washington DC to visit their memorials. The trip is free to the veterans. Volunteers and guardians pay their own way so that 100% of the donations go to the mission. Included are bus transportation, meals, T-shirts and hats. Wheelchairs, oxygen and medical staff are available with advanced arrangements.

Future trips are dependent on donations. For information go to: http://www.honorflightsefl.org/#!honor-flight-sefl/cx5v or call them: Toll Free 1-855-FLYAVET (855-359-2838).

Memorial Day Services

Monday, May 25th

Photos by Betty Thomas

Palm Beach County Sheriff's 

Honor Guard present colors.

Marilyn Sills 

and 

Seymour Kirschner, 

Jewish War Veterans Post 520

Col. Banna Ghiota (ret) 

Former Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections 

Theresa LePore

George Fisher, Cdr. 

Veterans of the 

Battle of the Bulge SE FL (62)

"Selfie" photo: 

Jimmy Shirley 

& 

Seymour Kirschner

Dove Release by the 

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts

By Betty Thomas

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and the Palm Beach Memorial Park held their 10th Annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day services on Monday, May 25, 2015.

Master of Ceremonies was Jim Sackett who retired as news anchor at WPTV-Channel 5 after 33 years December 2011.

Assembly and Massing of the Colors was performed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, Boynton Beach Fire Department Honor Guard, Boca Raton High School JROTC, Santaluces High School Army JROTC, Boy Scouts of America Troop 395, and the Cub Scouts of America Pack241.

The Raising of the Flag of the United States of America was accompanied by "To the Colors" bugle call, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Bryson Baggett, the National Anthem by Brianna Tauber and the invocation by Father David Kennedy.

After the POW/MIA Ceremony by Bill Acuri and "Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus wreath presentations were made by the area’s patriotic organizations.

Dignitaries and honored guests were noted followed by welcoming speeches by Palm Beach Memorial Park, Dave Zulick, and Forgotten Soldiers Outreach’s Lynelle Zelnar.

Sergeant Shannon Howe offered Greetings from the Military. Keynote speaker was Lt. Robert Keere USMC; "God Bless America" was sung by Haileigh Galloway; Benediction was given by Rabbi Leon Olenick; The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard performed the rifle salute; "Taps" was played by Armando Cedeno & Roberto Morgan.

The finale was the white dove release by the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge FL SE Chpt (62) Hold Spring Luncheon, April19, 2015

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Brian Mast

Sherry Klopp

l-r: Bunny Mathison, Muriel & Harold Berkman and Bob Erskine,

founding members of the VBOB chapter.

(Right) Jean and Tom Kaiser.

The Kaisers have been married 67 years. Mr. Kaiser has helped more than 600 WWII veterans receive the French Legion of Honor Medal. Veterans who served in France during WWII are eligible to receive the medal. For information, call Tom Kaiser at (561) 276-1796.

This photo by Betty Thomas

Brian Mast (left), keynote speaker at the April 19th spring luncheon of the VBOB, was presented with a clock commemorating the occasion, by George Fisher, president and founder of the chapter.

For information about membership in the chapter, please contact George Fisher at 585-7086.

100 year-old Murray Janoff served as a Combat Engineer with the 922nd Aviation Regiment through 5 combat campaigns in Europe as an adjutant under Gen. Patton. He achieved the rank of Major and served in the reserves from 1946-1952.

Rev. Anthony Beazley, Chief Chaplain, VA Medical Center and Joseph "Jiggs" Petrucci. Rev. Beazley delivered the Invocation and Moment of Silence for the fallen comrades. Joe Petrucci is a resident of Boundbrook Condominium in Palm Springs.

By BettyThomas

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fl Chpt (62) held their spring luncheon Sunday, April 19th at the Hilton Hotel Palm Beach Airport.

Their special guest was Ms. Sherry Klopp, Vice President of the National VBOB Chapters. She brought greetings from National and a surprise for the local chapter -- a check for $500.00 as compensation for the VBOB memorials the chapter has sponsored.

Guest speaker was S/Sgt Brian Mast who retired from the U.S. Army’s Joint Special Operations Command (EOD) or Bomb Tech, following the amputation of both legs while serving in Afghanistan. He honorably served his country for 12 years, has been named an honorary member of the 75th Ranger Regiment for his many life-saving actions while assigned to them, and has been awarded numerous medals for Valor, Merit and Sacrifice. He gave an eloquent speech praising the WWII Veterans for their sacrifice and service to country, and described his ordeal when he was wounded by an improvised explosive device (ied), and the sacrifice his wife and family made during his service.

George Fisher, Chapter President, announced that the Christmas meeting would be at the Hilton.

For information about the chapter and membership details, please call George Fisher at (561) 585-7086 or e-mail him at GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com.

G-Star School of the Arts Receives WWII Submarine Memorial Plaque

On Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, a special dedication of the Still On Patrol Plaque which is a gift of the Submarine Veterans Inc. and the U.S. Sub Vets of WWII and the Boynton Veterans was held.

The plaque will be placed on the Wall of Honor in the planned Canteen which will be built on G-Star’s campus. The Stage Door Canteen will be a duplicate of the one that was located on Worth Ave., Palm Beach, in 1944 and 1945. It was a popular place for soldiers and seamen to go to during the war.

The presentation was well attended at G-Star’s theater by Veterans and their family members.

The dedication and presentation was moderated by Tom Kaiser, WWII 

Navy veteran, whose brother killed in a submarine during the war.

Battle of the Bulge - 70th Anniversary of Victory Special Wreath Ceremony

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

The Boynton Veterans’ Council paid tribute to nearly 89,000 casualties and some 19,000 service members who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of the Bulge, the greatest battle in WWII history. On Sunday, January 25, 2015, following a brief ceremony to remember the their losses, flowers were placed at the newly unveiled Battle of the Bulge Monument.

Tom Kaiser offered words of welcome to those in attendance before leaving to celebrate his 87th birthday with his family. George Fisher, Pres., FVBOB gave the keynote speech, Murray Stein, 106th Division gave the address and recited the POW Pledge of Allegiance.

The Rifle Squad, A..L. Post 164 fired a salute and Buglers played TAPS. Benediction was offered by Stu Preston, L.O.H.FVBOB.

The weather was perfect!

Home for Veterans is a 

Dream Come True

Photos by Milton Williams

Ron Klein/Former U.S. Congressman, Roy Foster/Founder FHLC, Sgt. Brian Mast/Army Special Forces

Groundbreaking

Roy Foster knows what it’s like to serve his country, to struggle to readjust to civilian life and to drift from place to place with no where to call home. Those experiences led the army veteran to envision a place where homeless veterans could get help and have their hope restored.

This Veteran’s Day, Foster’s dream became a reality as the non profit he founded, Faith*Hope*Love*Charity Inc., broke ground on a housing complex for veterans and their families.

"Village of Valor" will be the first Palm Beach County community designed specifically for veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. The $26 million complex will be built on nearly 13 acres of land along 2nd Ave North in Lake Worth.

"This is not about the buildings, it’s about the service and how we are going to re-establish the bond and pride that we carried in the armed services," said Foster. "What’s going to take place inside Village of Valor, that’s the power of it all."

"Village of Valor" will be designed like a small town including a coffee shop, dining facility, library, club house, playgrounds, resort style pool, walking trails, fitness center, community garden, and a fenced dog park. The 140 units will include apartments and town homes.

Like its sister program Stand Down House, which serves male veterans, "Village of Valor" will provide an integrated approach to ending veteran homelessness. Residents will receive vocational and financial training as well as health, nutrition, and fitness support.

Navy veteran Steven Sullivan went to Stand Down House in 2011 after he lost his job and was evicted from his apartment. Sullivan says having other veterans in the program helped him succeed, "we were all going through the same thing and had been through the same things in our time of service."

Construction on "Village of Valor" is expected to be completed in May of 2016, with full occupancy by Veterans Day 2016. The night before the first shovel hit the dirt, Roy Foster camped out on the empty lot. He said he wanted to be the first veteran to sleep on the property that will "put an end to homelessness in Palm Beach County for our veterans."

Boynton Veterans Council Unveils Monument to Battle of the Bulge Veterans

On December 16, 2014, Boynton Veterans Council unveiled a monument to VBOB Veterans in a ceremony at Boynton Veterans' Park. Pictured with the monument are George Fisher, Joseph Petrucci and Bob Erskine.

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

VBOB Hold 70th Anniversary Gala

December 14, 2014

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Rep.Ted Deutch, George Fisher, pres./founder of the chapter and Charlene Szabo, Dir., VA West Palm Beach.

Don Fox, author of "Patton’s Vanguard" with Joseph "Jiggs" Petrucci and Jim Simone, both of Boundbrook Condominiums in Palm Springs.

Veterans' Day Parades 2014

Photos by Betty Thomas

Lake Worth

Saturday, Nov. 8

West Palm Beach

Sunday, Nov. 9

Joseph "Jiggs" Petrucci and George Fisher, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge

Jerry Klein, Vietnam Veterans of America Past Pres; Jeri Muoio, Mayor of West Palm Beach; Grand Marshal Brian Mast, U.S. Special Ops., retired, double amputee

American Legion Cdr. Bob Rehberg (left) and 1st. V. Cdr. Warren E. O'Brien

Women Veterans of South Florida: Maxine Bodman, WWII W.S.Army; 

Joy Teter, VietNam, U.S. Navy, and 

Joy's husband David Caesar 

-- all from Cypress Lakes

Beth Wolfe of Lake Worth and "Dude"

Grand Marshall Brian Mast 

and David Knapp, parade organizer

Combat Infantrymen's Association hold Fall Luncheon/Meeting

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

George Fisher, CIA Commander with 

Lt. Gen. Robert D. Chelberg (ret) of Wounded Warriors of So. Florida.

C.I.A. members, l-r: 

Muriel Berkman, Annette Fisher and Connie Roth.

By Betty Thomas

The Combat Infantrymen’s Association (C.I.A) held their first meeting for the fall season on Friday, October 24th at the Embassy Suites Hotel with 25 members and guests in attendance.

Guest speaker for the afternoon was Lt. General (U.S. Army Retired) Robert D. Chelberg who presented a detailed summary of the War on Terror beginning with the attack on the World Trade Center in New York September 11, 2001, to the present day.

Chelberg graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. with a BS degree in 1961. Later in his military career he earned an MBA degree from New Mexico State University. He is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. He has held numerous positions in the U.S. Army during his 32 year career.

General Chelberg retired on July 31, 1992 and assumed the duties of the Deputy Director of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. He and his wife, Victoria, reside in West Palm Beach, FL. General Chelberg currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the defense firm TASC, Inc., and as a Board Member for the Wounded Warriors of South Florida.

Wounded Warriors of South Florida (WWofSF) assists returning disabled veterans and their families. They provide immediate emergency financial assistance to wounded veterans by giving stored value cards for food, gas and essentials to VA Post Deployment Teams at the VA Hospitals and Clinics in Miami, West Palm Beach, Cape Coral, Tampa, Viera and St. Petersburg. The case managers, at their discretion and depending on need distribute the funds to their patients. The goal of WWofSF is to provide at least $2,500 per month to each facility. They hope to increase the number of VA facilities they work with.

The VA Post Deployment Teams also refer wounded veterans in dire straits that need assistance with the payment of their rent, utility bills, vehicle repairs, insurance, loans and other emergency needs as well as home repairs and furniture, critical financial assistance given that once a Wounded Warrior is discharged from active duty due to a disability, he/she has little income, little money and often no job. It can take up to two years for their disability payments to begin due to the current VA backlog.

Wounded Warriors of South Florida is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. More than 85% of all donated funds go directly to serving eligible disabled veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Areas of current operation include Brevard County south to the Florida Keys, west to the Tampa Bay area, and south to Marco Island.

Wounded Warriors of South Florida is located at 1335 Old Dixie Hwy., Suite 3, Lake Park, FL 33403. For more information or to donate funds, services or your time to Wounded Warriors of South Florida, please contact them at (561) 855-4207; fax (561) 444-3255; e-mail to WWofSF@gmail.com. Their website is www.WWofSF.org.

For information about the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, contact George Fisher at (561) 585-7086 or e-mail him at GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com.

Returning Honor Flight WWII Veterans Oct. 24, 2014, at P.B.I.A.

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

By Betty Thomas

Boynton Veterans Council Dedicate Two Markers Honoring 911 Victims

Story and photos by Jimmy Shirley

The two memorial stones are on either side of the 9-11 Memorial during a Special 9-11 Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at 11 AM. The stone on the left is for Fr. Mychal F. Judge, victim #0001, and the one on the right for Joseph Holland.

Tom Kaiser introduces George Fisher, founder and president of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOB) local chapter. The Boynton Veterans Council will be dedicating a monument for the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge at Veterans Memorial Park on December 16th of this year.

l-r, Murray Stein and George Fisher. Stein was a POW during WW-2 and is a member of the VBOB.

The Boynton Veterans Council and Philippe Létrilliart, Consul General, Republic of France present The Legion of Honor Medal to America's Veterans

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

Tom Kaiser

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

Description of the Insignia

Since its inception, the medal consists of a five-armed "Maltese Asterisk" enameled in white, joined with branches of laurel and oak:

At the center of the star, there is a medallion representing:

• On the front side, the symbol of the Republic with the inscription "Républiquefrançaise"

• On the other side, a flag and a banner intertwining one another 

with the circular inscription "Honneur et patrie"

The ribbon is in red moiré silk.

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

9th Annual "A Day to Remember" 

Memorial Day 2014

Photos by Betty Thomas

George Fisher, president/founder of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Local Chapter readies to present the VBOB wreath.

Col. Banna Ghioto (ret) was one of the dignitaries at the FSO Memorial Day ceremonies. Ghioto is 97 years old.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fl SE Chpt. (62) Hold Spring Luncheon April 27, 2014

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

"The Kiss"

Evelyn and Al Irzyk exchange a kiss after being presented with Al's special surprise cake for his wife for their 68th wedding anniversary at the April 27th VBOB luncheon. Though their kiss was spontaneous, it is vividly reminiscent of the iconic photo, "The Kiss", of a sailor kissing a nurse in the Times Square celebration following the announcement of the end of WWII.

"The Cake"

L-R) 

George Fisher, president and founder of the chapter,

 Charlene Szabo, Dir. of the VA Hospital and Irwin Stovroff, founder of Vets Helping Heroes, 

providers of assistance dogs for disabled veterans.

Members of the Korean War Veterans Association, 

Lt. Richard E. Cronan Ch.17, Delray Beach, FL,

L-R: Joe Green, Chapter president, (8th Army Demolition);

Barry Tutin (1st Cav. 8th Reg);

Shelly Evans (5th Armored Div.); and

Bernie Ruthberg (5th Reg. Combat Team).

Condo News publisher, 

Betty Thomas with 

Edwin S. Greenfield, U.S.C.G. 

at the spring luncheon for the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge held in April 2014.

By Betty Thomas

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge held their spring luncheon Sunday, April 27th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in West Palm Beach.

Guest speaker was Irwin Stovroff, a WW2 prisoner of war and recipient of the Purple Heart and French Legion of Honor. Stovroff is the founder of Vets Helping Heroes who train service dogs for veterans in need. Training of the dogs can be upwards of $20,000 each, but there is no cost to the recipient.

A special treat came at the end of the afternoon when dessert was presented. It was an anniversary cake for Chapter Commander Al Irzyk and his wife of 68 years, Evelyn, who was taken completely by surprise. The couple stood for pictures and kissed, to the delight of everyone there. After the Irzyks were served a piece of the cake, the rest of it was distributed among the guests.

Brig. Gen. Al Irzyk (ret) (97) , as a young Major, was a tank battalion commander under General Patton. His battallion was responsible for the rescue of the army division that was surrounded by the Germans in the bloodiest of all battles of the war — The Battle of the Bulge.

The next luncheon will be in December -- the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. For more information, please contact President and founder George Fisher at 561-585-7086 or email him at: GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com. Their website is www.VBOB62.com.

Tom Kaiser announces new monument honoring VBOB

Photo by Jimmy Shirley (l-r) George Fisher, founder/president, VBOB; Brig. Gen. Albin Irzyk (U.S.Army ret); Stuart Preston, American Legion Chaplain; and Tom Kaiser, chairman of the Boynton Beach Veteran’s Council.

Tom Kaiser of Delray Beach, chairman of the Boynton Beach Veteran’s Council, is a driven man. His goal is to see that every veteran from WW-2 to present receives the medals and awards they have earned. So far in South Florida, his efforts have resulted in over 500 veterans receiving their rightly earned medals and awards.

Kaiser has also arranged for the placement of 22 War Monuments at Boynton Beach Veteran’s Park.

At April’s spring luncheon of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Kaiser announced his next project was a Monument honoring the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge to be placed at the Park. The monuments are funded by donations from veterans.

Kaiser, A WW-2 Navy veteran, was added to the Congressional Record on April 21st by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings citing Kaiser’s dedication to helping veterans. To be mentioned in the Congressional Record, one must have had a far-reaching and profound impact.

"There is nothing in South Florida pertaining to veterans that Tom hasn’t been involved in," said Hastings.

Kaiser’s passion was born after his brother lost his life in 1944 in a submarine at age 21. He vowed that he would see that his brother’s death was not in vain. He wants every veteran to receive his/her due "in their hand", not after they are gone.

Additionally, Kaiser sees that Boy Scouts are present at all award ceremonies to make sure that future generations know about the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country.

Fla SE Chapter of the Combat Infantrymens Association Hold Spring Luncheon

Irving Stovroff, George Fisher

and Cash

Photo by

Jimmy Shirley

The Florida Southeast Chapter of the Combat Infantrymens Association held their spring luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel in West Palm Beach on Friday, February 28th. The keynote speaker was Irwin Stovroff, President and Founder of Vets Helping Heroes. He has raised over one million dollars to purchase, train and then donate service dogs to disabled veterans. There are 6 different levels of training for specific needs: Guide dogs for the blind; Combat stress relief dogs for PTSD; Service dogs for amputees; Dogs for those suffering seizures; Therapy dogs; and Companion dogs. The cost for training the dogs, depending on the level, can range from $10,000 for companion dogs to $60,000 for guide dogs. The dog and training are provided at no cost to the recipient.

Irwin Stovroff himself has an assistance dog, Cash, who accompanies him everywhere. Stovroff was a WWII prisoner of war and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross Award, Purple Heart and French Legion of Honor. Irwin became affiliated with the Vet Dog program in Smithtown, N.Y. He started the program, funded by donations, here in 2006. They have placed 100 therapy dogs throughout the country.

A book has been written about Stovroff, "Gone to the Dogs." For more information about Vets Helping Heroes, Inc, telephone (561) 432-3324 or e-mail vhhinfo@VetsHelpingHeroes.org or visit their website at www.VetsHelpingHeroes.org

VBOB Donates TV to 

Faith, Hope, Love, Charity

Faith, Hope, Love, Charity/ Stand Down House provides much needed support for homeless veterans and their families. They have a house in Lake Worth that provides meals, housing, and transportation. A donation of a 37" TV was made by the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Southeast Chapter for the enjoyment of the residents. Pictured l/r: Roy Foster, cofounder and executive director of the Stand Down House, George Fisher, VBOB Chapter President, Gen. Al Irzyk, VBOB Chapter Commander, and Joe Petrucci, VBOB member. Another example of veterans helping veterans.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Christmas Luncheon 2013

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

St. Maj. (Ret) Louis Barnes with George Fisher, president and founder of the chapter.

Sgt. Maj. (Ret) Louis Barnes and wife Jacquelyn

The Florida Southeast Chapter (62) of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge had their Christmas Luncheon Sunday, December 15, 2013 at their new venue at the Embassy Suites Hotel commemorating the 69th anniversary of that bloodiest battle of WWII. George Fisher wrote, "By December 1944, just six months after the Normandy landings, the total defeat of Germany seemed inevitable. Then it happened. At 5:30 am on the morning of December 16th, a vanguard of three German Armies totaling 500,000 men attacked us in the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg, achieving total surprise. It took six bloody weeks to push the enemy back to where they started ... at a cost of 80,000 casualties, including 19,000 who made the supreme sacrifice. The victory in the Ardennes belonged to the American Soldier."

This was as joint meeting with the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart #717 and Combat Infantrymen’s Association, their spouses and guests. State Senator Maria Sachs presented Fisher with a proclamation from Gov. Scott proclaiming Dec. 15, 2013, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Day. As a special surprise, the Senator also presented him a U.S. flag that had flown over the state capital in Tallahassee the previous day.

Keynote speaker was Command Sergeant Major Louis Barnes, recently retired after serving 26 years in the U. S. Army Military Police, which included 2 tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2007. In his capacity as commander of the Army police, he led U.S. efforts to bring stability to the area. He sustained wounds from 5 roadside bombs and holds the Purple Heart.

Sgt. Maj. Barnes was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Jacquelyn Barnes.

There were some 175 members at this year’s luncheon. The chapter presently has 195 members.

This chapter meets twice a year, in April and in December near the anniversary of the battle. For information about the chapter, please contact George Fisher, president/founder, at (561) 585-7086 or e-mail him at GeorgeFVBOB@aol.com. Visit their website at www.VBOB62.com .

Veterans' Day Weekend Parades, 

Lake Worth & West Palm Beach 2013

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

To see more photos on our 

Facebook page, click here    

The Veterans' Day Parade in Lake Worth was held on Saturday, Nov. 9th, 2013. Pictured above is the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge float. George Fisher, president and founder of the chapter is pictured standing by the float before the parade got underway.

Stand Down House Holds Thirteenth Annual Picnic

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Pictured above are Andrew Nguyen (front), Bob Leiup ("Loop") standing left, Casimiro Crocket, Adm. Dir., and Gary Dukes. The men are members of Nam Knights. Ms. Crocket lives at the Mayfair House in Palm Beach.

Roy Foster,

co-founder of Faith*Hope*Love*Charity, Inc.

and the

Stand Down House

Max Nelson, a Vietnam Veteran, is pictured with his wife Celia and his mother-in-law Anita.

On Saturday, July 13, Faith*Hope*Love*Charity, Inc. held their thirteenth annual STAND*DOWN Picnic at Dubois Park in Jupiter. Stand Down, founded by Roy Foster, is a grassroots, community based intervention program designed to help homeless male veterans with a "hand up", not a hand out. Its program was  developed to help veterans who are struggling with PTSD, mental health issues and other physical issues and have lost their home, dignity and the ability to lead productive lives. It is a multi-tiered program that offers supportive services to assist veterans, active duty armed forces and families, supportive housing, job training, education referral, VA/SSA benefit information, AA/NA meetings, peer to peer support groups, outreach services, family counseling, and so much more. The program has helped over 2000 veterans.

The Stand Down House for homeless/displaced male veterans is located at 4309 Davis Road in Lake Worth.

Faith*Hope*Love*Charity, Inc. has also opened a residential facility for families and female veterans struggling with homelessness.

 For more information about Faith*Hope*Love* Charity, Inc. and the Stand Down House, please call them at (561) 968-1612 or visit their website at www.Standown.org

Memorial Day 2013 

Forgotten Soldiers Outlook with

Palm Beach Memorial Park

"A Day To Remember"

Photos by Betty Thomas

George Fisher, Pres./founder of the the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Fla SE Chapter (62) is pictured with the wreath presented by the chapter at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Palm Beach Memorial Gardens in Lantana.

By Betty Thomas

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and Palm Beach Memorial Park in Lantana presented their 8th annual "A Day to Remember" Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 27, 2013. It was the 10th anniversary for FSO.

The program featured "Children of the Military" with performances by The New Young Patriots, and colors presented by Santaluces High School Army Junior ROTC, Seminole Ridge High School Army Junior ROTC, Lake Worth High School Air Force Junior ROTC, Boca Delray Sea Cadets, with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395 and Cub Scouts of America, Pack 241 raising the colors and placing the wreaths for the various organizations .

Keynote Speaker was Jonathan Castro (Lake Worth High). A poem entitled "We Drank from the Same Canteen" was read by Samantha Mouring (Lake Worth High) and the benediction was read by Jacob &Jordan Williams, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395.

The Wreath of Honor was placed by Christopher Barnikel and Kashema Powell (Santaluces High School Army Junior ROTC.

At the end of the program, the Eternal Dove Release was conducted by the Boy Scouts Troop 395 and Cub Scouts Troop 241.

Poinciana Country Club's Fourth Annual Memorial Day Parade

Photo by Ed Manley

VBOB Spring Meeting April 21, 2013

By Betty Thomas

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Sid G. Poe, Brig. Gen. Al Irzyk (Ret.) and Lisa Poe

Sid G. Poe and his wife Lisa were guests of Al Irzyk, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge chapter president at the spring luncheon held on April 21st for chapter members, their families and guests.

The Poes lived at the Tower 1515 from 1996 until they vacated it after the 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005. They were on the 8th floor and the storms blew right through the unit.

Sid grew up in the Army, his father, a noncommissioned officer was a Sgt. Maj. Sid often saw stories in the Condo News, which went to Tower 1515, and other papers about Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge featuring Al Irzyk, Brig. Gen. (Ret.), U.S. Army, a tank commander during WWII. Sid, being very interested in military history, contacted the Irzyks and they planned to meet.

Also fueling his desire to meet Al was a letter among his father’s military records that mentioned a speech Al had given at Ft. Knox, KY, where his father was stationed. As it turned out, Sid’s father was Irzyk’s Sgt. Maj. when he was a young soldier there in 1965.

Finally, in August, 2002, the Poes and Irzyks got together at the Irzyks’ home on Flagler Dr. in West Palm Beach. Their friendship has grown over the years.

After Wilma hit, Tower 1515 was condemned and all who were still there were vacated. Sid, who had a career with Southern Bell, then BellSouth in public relations, and his wife Lisa, opted to leave the area. They relocated to Oregon Bend, Oregon, east of the Cascades in what is known as the "high desert."

But that didn’t end the association the Poes have with the Irzyks. Sid and Lisa often travel to the area and always get together with Al and Evelyn Irzyk, further cementing their bond.

George Fisher (right) presenting Norman Frajman with a clock to commemorate his speaking at the meeting.

Norman Frajman displays an authentic uniform that prisoners in the concentration camps wore.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Fla SE Chpt. (62) held their spring luncheon Sunday, April 21st at the Hilton Hotel Palm Beach Airport with some 100 members and guests in attendance.

Rep. Lois Frankel introduced the guest speaker, Norman Frajman, Holocaust Survivor. He related his story of living through the Warsaw Ghetto (2 years) and from there to the Majdanek extermination camp at the age of 13 where he lost members of his family, among them his mother (34) and sister (12). He described conditions in the box cars they were transported in and in the barracks where they were housed. Some 400 in a space meant for 100-120. Disease was rampant.

From Majdanek, he and 3000 prisoners (out of 20,000) were taken to another camp to manufacture munitions. The remaining 17,000 were machine gunned to death.

The last trip out of the munitions factory was a death march. One night, they were put up in a school, but they were awakened by Russian tanks — they were liberated. It was May 8th, he recalled. And, he added, he was born on 9/11.

The story was so compelling that Fisher asked Frajman to come back for the Christmas meeting in December to speak.

Norman Frajman is Chairman of the Speakers Bureau. He lives in Boynton Beach, FL

For information about the chapter, please call George Fisher, President, at (561) 585-7086.

Combat Infantrymens Association 
Chapter B11FL Announces New Officers

(l-r) C.I.A. chapter B11FL members: Muriel Berkman, Harold Berkman (Exec. Officer), Connie Roth (Chapter Secy), George Fisher (Commander), 

Bill Cross (National Commander, and Annette Fisher (seated).

The first meeting of the revived Combat Infantrymens Association Chapter B11FL was held at the Wycliffe Country Club announcing their new officers.

For more information about either the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge or the Combat Infantrymens Association, please call George Fisher at 561-585-7086.

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Fla SE Chpt. (62) Hold 68th Anniversary Luncheon, 

Dec. 16th, 201212

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

By Betty Thomas

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge local chapter met for their 13th annual "The Christmas We Never Had" meeting at the Hilton Hotel at the Palm Beach airport on Sunday, December 16th, 2012, the 68th anniversary of that bloodiest of all battles of WWII. The gala luncheon was attended by veterans representing most of the Infantry, Air Force and Armored Divisions involved in the battle.

Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart #717 and members of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association also attend these meetings. Also attending were wives, children, significant others and guests of the members.

Mike Prendergast, Executive Director, Florida Department of Veteran Affairs, read the Proclamation from Governor Scott making December 16, 2012, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Day in the state of Florida.

Keynote speaker was the Consulate General of Belgium, Mrs. Genevieve Verbeek.

Chapter founder and president George Fisher announced the forming of a new Combat Infantrymen’s Assn. chapter, inviting all those interested in joining to contact him.

Contact George Fisher at (561) 585-7086 for more information.

U.S. Coast Guard, Riviera Beach, 

5th Annual "Wreaths Over the Water," 

Dec. 15, 2012

Photo by Jimmy Shirley

By Jimmy Shirley

The Condo News publisher, and this writer, were privileged to have been invited to the 5th Annual "Wreathes Over The Water" ceremony last Saturday morning, 15 December, at the Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet in Riviera Beach, Fla. The brainchild of Auxiliarist Ed Greenfield, the moving ceremony commemorates the veterans who had no headstone to mark their graves, those lost at sea.

After the land-based ceremony held at the Station, we were part of a group who were taken by boat to the Lake Worth Inlet. We were supposed to have been taken out into the open water. But the seas were angry that day. So, the seven wreaths, representing the six branches of the service including the Merchant Marines plus one for the POWs/MIAs, were cast into the water of the inlet instead. A bagpiper on the boat with the wreaths played "Amazing Grace" as the wreaths were tossed overboard.

ATTENTION KOREAN WAR VETERANS

My name is Charles Koppelman and I have been recently recognized by the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War (KW60) Commemoration Committee as your KW60 Ambassador here in the Condo News area.

The Committee, a three-year program initiated in 2010, seeks to honor the service and sacrifice of Korean War Veterans, commemorate the key events of the war, and educate Americans about the Korean War’s significance.

The Korean War is often referred as "The Forgotten War" As a KW60 Ambassador, I hope to propel Korean War Veterans and their contribution to greater public awareness. I will focus on establishing a local voice of sincere appreciation for the selfless service and sacrifices that Korean War Veterans made on behalf of all Americans. I look forward to incorporating Korean War Veterans history and Veterans into local activities such as community festival events, school programs and commemoration ceremonies.

As part of the program, I plan to thank and honor as many of our treasured Korean War Veterans (June 25,1950 – July 27, 1953) as possible in a heartfelt and meaningful way. I hope that working together locally and reaching across the Palm Beach community, we can partner, collaborate and achieve more to acknowledge our valued Korean War Veterans.

If you are a Korean War Veteran (June 25, 1950 –July 27, 1953) interested in being recognized with an official Certificate of Appreciation sent to you by the Department of Defense and signed by the Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, you may Email me at:

KWV148@yahoo.com.

The following information is requested: (PLEASE PRINT) Rank, First and Last Name, Service Branch, Street Address, City, State and Zip Code. Email address optional.

Mail to: Charles Koppelman

KW60 Certificate

24 Hastings B

West Palm Beach, FL 33417-1209

Veterans Day Weekend, 2012

Lake Worth & West Palm Beach

Photos by Jimmy Shirley

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge marched in both parades, Saturday in Lake Worth, and Sunday in West Palm Beach..

L-R: (holding banner) Bob Erskine, Will Jasmund, and George Fisher  and  in the vehicle Al Irzyk & Joseph "Juggs" Petrucci.

Members of Post 501,Golden Century Post of the Jewish War Veterans marched in the West Palm Beach parade on Sunday.

This year’s Veterans’ Day Parade returned to Lake Worth on Saturday, November 10, 2012 as part of the city’s kickoff of its 100th Anniversary celebration.

Then, on Sunday, November 11th, West Palm Beach hosted their Veterans’ Day Parade, with even more participants. (Jewish War Veterans do not march on Saturday.)

The weather was spectacular for both events and the spectators were as enthusiastic on both days. The parades were followed by festivities featuring honored guests and speakers.

Honor Flight

By Hank Morris

Condo News Columnist

Golden Lakes Village, Ph A, West Palm Beach, FL

Honor Flight Veterans at the Iwo Jima memorial.

Hank Morris is in the front row 4th from left.

Hank Morris with his 

Honor Flight Guardian

In my humble opinion, one of the most honored organizations that have a very low profile in the long lists of organizations is the "Honor Flight Network." So many people, including World War II and Korean veterans have never heard of this wonderful volunteer program that aims to give appreciation to those men and women that served in the Armed Forces during those periods. Right now, the figures are from 900 to 1000 World War II veterans are dying each day. They were members of the "Greatest Generation," and that is why they are asked if they would like to be part of a free, all expense paid trip, to our National Capital, with visits to the World War II Memorial, (at the same stop a visit to the Korean and Vietnam Memorials as well as the Lincoln Memorial) and visit Arlington National Cemetery watching the Changing of the Guard. This includes a free flight on U.S. Airways.

I had orientation with the Southeast Honor Flight located in Stuart, Florida who meet at the Knights of Columbus building on Gaines Avenue a week before we left. On Nov. 3rd at 4 A.M. they had free transportation to the airport where coffee and snacks were available, breakfast on the flight, lunch at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington, Virginia, coffee plus at the airport and dinner served on the flight home, we were well fed. If you lived in the West Palm Beach area, you met the group at the PBI airport. Free parking was arranged for the Veterans that drove to the airport in this area and again coffee, Danish and very warm greetings welcomed us. Each Veteran was assigned to a guardian and wheel chairs were available for all veterans. They were encouraged to use them. Most of the guardians came from the Martin County Fire Rescue group located at 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34996 and deserve as much recognition and support that they can get. I was very fortunate to have LaMar Shell as my guardian. Yes, I did use the wheelchair and she pushed me to where we had to go many times. Her son, Owen, only 14 years old, was also a guardian that was assigned to help a veteran in the wheelchair. What made tears come to eyes of most of the Veterans on the trip was the greeting that we received from the people at the Ronald Reagan Airport in D.C, when we debarked. Young to old, men and women, civilians and service women and men greeted us. There were signs and applause, hugs and kisses. Thanks over and over again. There was a band playing for us. Unbelievable but true. There were four busses waiting for our group and we had a police escort from one place to another. I have never in my life seen or have been part of a day being honored by so many people who appreciated our service in the Armed Forces of this great United States.

It did not end there. Before boarding the plane home, there was entertainment for us from the 1950s and of course, dinner and mail call on the plane home. When those that left the group that lived in the West Palm Beach area, there were people waiting to greet us as we left the terminal and that was at 9 P.M. Thanks must go to so many volunteers for having these flight from all over our Country. You might have never heard of the Honor Flights before, but now you have. I want to say another "Thank You" to the guardians and volunteers because they have to pay for the flight that they volunteer on. Nothing is "free" for them. I was so happy to read in the paper that Tequesta Fire Rescue held a "Boot Drive" to raise money for the Honor Flight.

For more information you can write to SEFL Honor Flight, Inc., P.O. Box 1503, Stuart. FL 34995. I hope that you will join me in sending a donation so that more World War II Veterans and Korean Veterans may have the same wonderful experience that I and many others had. Golden Lakes Village - Phase "A".

Memorial Day POW/MIA Ceremony

Text supplied by the 

Patriot Guard Riders.

Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who

 have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment.

We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor near the podium. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. 

They are referred to as POWs and MIAs. 

We call them comrades.

They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.

This table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.

The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single red rose in the face signified the blood many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.

The yellow ribbon on the vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. 

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted - they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair is empty - they are not here.

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.

Let us now have a moment of silent prayer that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.

May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families. 

Veterans Organizations Directory

Airborne Veterans

(All Service Branches -- Jump Qualified Eligible)

James Hunter, Chairman: (561) 793-3597

Robert Robinson: (561) 706-9299 (M-F)

American Legion District 11

Arie Bruce, Commander, 561-202-7392

American Legion 

Post 12, 3676 Collin Dr. #21, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, (561) 963-2812

Post 47, 2315 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, FL 33460, (561) 585-4616

Post #141, 1350 Clubhouse Dr., West Palm Beach, FL 33409, 561-683-5216

Post 164, 571 W. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, FL 33426, 561-265-1796

Post 258, 364 Swain Blvd., Greenacres, FL 33463, (561) 432-0781

Riviera Beach Memorial Post 268, 1690 Ave. H. West, Riviera Bch, FL 33404, (561) 844-7125 

Post 367,  meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7PM

 in the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, (561) 790-1848

Post 371, Palm Beach Gardens, Duke Peters, Adj., (561) 626-1460

Combat Infantrymen's Association, Inc., Chapter B11FL

George Fisher (561) 585-7086

Disabled American Veterans, Chap. 42

Joseph Jakuboski, Cdr.

7305 N. Mil. Trl., Rm 1A-141, West Palm Beach, FL 33410

(561) 422-8312

Disabled American Veterans of So. Palm Beach County, Chap. 152

Glenn Stahl, Cdr, (561) 789-8280;

Michael Coleman, Vice Cdr., (561) 558-3279.

So. Co. Civic Ctr., 16700 Jog Rd., Delray Beach

8th Air Force Historical Society

Robert H. Nolan Fl. Chapter

For membership, Jim Hart, 114 Monterey Way, Royal Palm Bch., FL 33411

Jewish War Veterans

Post 266, Delray Beach, Cdr. Morry Goldfarb, 561-870-4265

Post 266-A, " " , Roberta White, 561-499-9584

Post 321, Delray Beach, Arthur Greenwald, 561-499-6804

321-A, " " , Charlene Ehrlich, 561-499-1841

Post 440, Boynton Beach, Jerry Schnur, 561-966-2158

Post 459, Boca Raton, Leo Petrover, 561-361-1101

459-A, " " , Lee Hoppen, (561-637-8430

Post 501, Gldn.Century, WPB, Howard Lowenthal, (561) 478-2780

Post 502, W. Palm Beach, Jack Tare, (561) 732-0732

Post 520, W. Palm Beach, Bernie Kaufman, 561-439-1157

Post 520A, W.Palm Bch., Edith Crosby, 561-626-6170

Post 631, Boca Raton, David Richman, 561-487-8768

631-A, Boca Raton, Annette Rose, 561-483-8113

Post 684, R. P. Bch.,Jules Horowitz, 561-791-1137

Post 819, W.Boynton Bch., Howard Weiss, 561-509-6896

Palm Beach District Council, Mike Corbett, 561-742-8016

Treasure Coast Dist. Council, Dr. Mike Weiss, 772-569-5823

Korean War Veterans Association

Lt. Richard E. Cronan Chapter 17

Delray Beach, FL

Arnold Bob Kempler, Sect.  (561) 499-4892

Marine Corps League

General A. A. Vandergrift Detachment 068

Meetings 2nd Thursday of each month

Elks Lodge 1352, 6188 Belvedere Rd, WPB, Fl

Call: Commandant Mark Berger 561-685-4154

Adjutant Al Shemo (thechinamarine@yahoo.com) 

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Palm Beach Area Chapter (out of Boynton Beach)

Membership, Call Sonny Barber @ 561-362-5206

Palm Beach-Martin Counties Chapter (out of Jupiter)

Membership, Call Marc Oliveri @ 561-753-7565

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Post 717-West Palm Beach

Office: Veterans' Administration Hospital, Suite 1A-143

Membership: Call (561) 422-5647

Navy Seabee Veterans of America

Department of Florida, Island X-12 West Palm Beach

Cdr. James Nappier (561) 333-5092

Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc. Fla. Gold Coast Chpt. 4

Jerome Mintz, Pres: (954) 472-2754

E.K. Carstens, Sec'y.: (954) 989-8438

Reserve Officers Association, Chapter 20, Palm Beach County, FL

Membership, call Don Isaacs (561) 697-4902

US Coast Guard Combat Veterans Ass. 

PO Box 544, Westfield Ctr., Ohio 44251

Baker W. Herbert, LM, National Secretary

330-887-5339

Palm Beach County contact Jack Campbell

N.J.: 732-229-2413; W.P.B.: 561-842-3057

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Post 4143, 2404 Broadway (US-1), Riviera Beach, FL 33404, (561) 844-5718

Post 4360 & Ladies' Aux,217 Alemeda Dr, Palm Springs, FL 33461, 439-4515

Post 4445, 364 Swain Blvd., Greenacres. FL 33463, (561) 432-0781

Post 5335, Boynton Beach / Lantana, (561) 737-4102

Veterans Services of America
P.O. Box 8035, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 613-1181 • info@vetserve.org

Vetsville Cease Fire House (Shelters for Veterans)

291 NE 19th Ave., Boynton Beach, FL 33435 (561) 533-5797

Vietnam Veterans of America

Chpt. 25, West Palm Beach, FL

Membership call (561) 512-0678

Women Veterans of America

Chapter #11

Charlotte Rebillard, Commander

Membership, call (561) 686-7262.

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The Condo News print newspaper is published every other Wednesday*. It is circulated throughout Palm Beach County, from Delray Beach  to North Palm Beach, and from Singer Island, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach to Royal Palm Beach, in Condominium, Cooperative and Home Owner Association Communities. For more information, or to have the Condo News  brought to your community, e-mail us or write to: 

131 Springdale Circle, Palm Springs, 
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Tel:

(561) 471-0329

* Due to the economy, the Condo News will be published every other Wednesday until further notice.