SCC ceremony honors military men and women on 100th armistice anniversary
By PHYLLIS HODGES
From left, Grand Marshall retired USAF Lt. Col. Walter G. Cawein leads the procession of program participants: Speaker retired USMC Sgt. Rafael Candelario; retired USMC Maj. James Haney; retired USAF James Wendell; retired USN Rev. Harry Benter; and retired USAF Lt. Col. Gordon Bassett.
Each year in November we salute our brave men and women who have served and are still serving in our military. Veterans Day this year has special significance for nations around the world. It is the 100th anniversary of the armistice signed by the Allies and Germans in 1918 to end World War I after four years of conflict. The armistice was signed on Nov. 11 (11th hour, 11th day, 11th month) and that date was declared Armistice Day until the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954.
Grand Marshall for the Sun City Center Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 9 was retired USAF Lt. Col. Walter Cawein, retired Army Lt. Col. Paul Wheat, US Army, introduced Cawein, outlining his extensive military service and subsequent careers with the Central Intelligence Agency and defense industry. He is an active Sun City Center community leader and is currently leading the Veterans Memorial project under construction on South Pebble Beach Boulevard.
Local military veteran organizations sponsored the Veterans Day ceremony in Sun City Center Nov. 9. American Legion Auxiliary members, from left, Cheryl DeLeon, Dana Schroeder and Alma Hinson were at the door welcoming guests.
“How much more honored can one be?” answered Cawein, when asked for a reaction to his selection. “This Veterans Day ceremony is a time to remember and honor this nation’s true heroes, our veterans and active service men and women. I also wish to acknowledge their families and loved ones for their support.”
Cawein said that a dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial is set for Jan. 10, 2019, at 10 a.m.
Guest speaker for the ceremony was retired USMC Sergeant Major Rafael A. Candelario, whose impressive military service spanned 30 years. After retiring in 1995 he was an instructor with the Navy JROTC at Leto High School in Tampa for 16 years and currently is president of the Hillsborough County Veterans Council. In his remarks, Candelario recognized the significance of this year’s Veterans Day and acknowledged the Veterans Administration’s daunting duty to serve those returning from our country’s wars. Because of the recent election day, he also talked passionately about the privilege of voting.
The Army JROTC Lennard High School Longhorn Battalion Cadets were on hand for the Posting of Colors. From left are Cyan Rodriguez, Jacob Rosenberger, Elexa Crisp, Delani Crisp, Andrew Balderas, Keyana Allan and Major Irving Fannell.
The ceremony program also included Posting of Colors by the Army JROTC Lennard High School, Longhorn Battalion Cadets, and a Musical Interlude and Veterans Service Tribute by the Trinity Singers (Trinity Baptist Church), led by Rev. James Feist. Refreshments were served by the Col. George Mercer Brooke Chapter, SCC Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
For long-range planners, next year’s Veterans Day Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2019, at 9 a.m.