CA Veterans Photo Project reaches one-year milestone
By PHYLLIS HODGES
When U.S. Army veteran Ted Puzio entered the SCC Photo Club on Nov.12, he learned he was the 400th veteran to have his picture taken since the CA’s Veterans Photo Project started one year ago. The veterans’ photos, flanked by their service symbols, run continuously on a television in the CA Atrium. They are also shown at various events held at Community Hall.
It was just one year ago in November that the Sun City Center Community Association launched a Veterans Photo Project to honor CA members who had served in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves, with their pictures on a television in the Atrium main hall. CA President (and veteran) David Floyd had this to say: “It is important to recognize those who stepped forward to support what America stands for — freedom — the right to express our beliefs and hope for the future.”
Bill Hodges, who proposed the project and volunteered to lead it, acknowledges that the endeavor is ambitious, considering that no one really knows how many of the CA’s 11,000-plus members are veterans. Former professional photographer Andy Ledoux is helping, and on Nov. 12, they photographed the 400th subject, Ted Puzio, a U.S. Army veteran.
According to Hodges, the veterans who come in for the photo sessions — many of them husbands and wives — truly appreciate being honored this way, and enjoy interacting with fellow veterans and exchanging war stories. “It took me five years to find a photographer to help, so you can imagine my delight when Andy stepped up. We, along with the CA, appreciate the generosity of the Sun City Center Charitable Foundation for donating the two 55-inch televisions that allow the pictures to be run continuously. Because SCC is such a multi-generational community, it is important to know that pictures of deceased veterans are not removed; a black ribbon is inserted in the corner.”
Ledoux, an Army veteran himself, said he volunteered because he recognized the value of such a project. “I just wanted to help; it’s important to me,” he said. Ledoux has the camera and skills to make a quality presentation, and both he and Hodges are SCC Photo Club members, which gives them access to space and any other equipment they need.
Hodges, when asked how long he expects the project to continue, said he is committed to keep it going, and doesn’t envision an end date. He likes to tell the story of observing a grandfather and son (both veterans) watching the presentation with the grandson — a soldier on leave from an Afghanistan tour. The young soldier told the two older men, “I want to be up there with the two of you some day, so don’t sell the house.”
The next photo session is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2017. Interested veterans who are members of the Community Association should call Carol Donner at the CA office 813-633-3500 to be assigned an appointment time.
