Command Sergeant Major Frank A. Grippe
The Sun City Center Memorial Day Ceremony will start at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 26, in Kings Point’s Borini Theatre. Doors open at 9 a.m. for free open seating.
The main speaker at the ceremony will be Command Sgt. Maj.Frank Grippe, who trained as a light infantryman and graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga.
Grippe has attended all levels of the Noncommissioned Officers Education System, culminating with the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He is a graduate of the Battle Staff Course, the First Sergeants Course and the Keystone Course, as well as numerous infantry and special operations-related schools. Grippe earned an associate’s degree from Pierce College in Tacoma, Wash.
His awards and decorations are too numerous to list, but include the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit (1 oak leaf cluster); the Bronze Star for Valor (3d oak leaf cluster for service); the Purple Heart Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal (3d oak leaf cluster); and the Army Commendation Medal (3d oak leaf cluster).
Grippe is presently the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.
For additional information, call Paul Wheat at 813-634-7777 or email him at PAWheatJr@aol.com.
Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park is Sunday, May 25
The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County Inc., with the support of the Board of County Commissioners, will conduct its annual Memorial Day Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. Museum at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. The Park is at 3602 U.S. 301, Tampa, just south of the Florida State Fairgrounds.
The theme of the celebration is: “Memorial Day Remembrance, For God and Country.”
County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will make brief remarks. Keynote speaker will be USAF Col. Scott DeThomas, Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, at MacDill Air Force Base. This will be Col. DeThomas’s last event at Veterans Memorial Park, as he will retire from the U.S. Air force this summer.
For the 17th consecutive year, Charles Haugabrooks will perform a series of patriotic songs emblematic of a somber Memorial Day tribute. Colors will be presented by the 6th Air Mobility Wing Color Guard from MacDill, the invocation delivered by Dr. Linda J. Pugsley, LtCol, CAP, Chaplain, FL 089, MacDill, and the Benediction will be delivered by D. Jobe, Veterans Council assistant chaplain. Frank Strom, managing director of the Veterans Affairs Division for Hillsborough County, and Mike O’Dell, president of the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, will make remarks.
The Scottish American Military Society will conduct the POW/MIA Missing Man Ceremony, followed by a wreath presentation by the area’s Gold Star Wives, Mothers and Families to honor Fallen Warriors and pay tribute to Hillsborough County Fallen Heroes of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
The Riverview detachment of the Marine Corps League will fire a rifle salute and play Taps. The public is invited and encouraged to attend and visit the recently dedicated War Memorials and Museum.
Refreshments will be provided by VFW Post 8108 Men’s and Ladies auxiliaries, Riverview. For further information, call Walt Raysick at 813-653-4924 or email wraysick@verizon.net.
