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Zephyrhills pays tribute to vets
By MICHELLE JONES, Times Staff Writer
"Armed Forces Day brings back lots of memories," said Albertson, who served 38 months in the Army during World War II. "I followed General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge: It was my blood and his guts." He said he comes to events to support his small community. "Armed Forces Day gives other people a feeling for what the military did for their country," he added. Albertson sat on a folding chair in the shade of a building as he watched the people looking at the equipment and exhibits on display on the depot lawn. John Piazza brought the mobile unit from his Armed Forces Military Museum in Largo for people to look at and for children to learn from. Piazza served in the U.S. Marine Corps for almost four years during the Korean War. "We have this museum to preserve our military history," he said. "We want people to know what went on -- especially the youngsters." He said he takes the mobile unit to schools, retirement homes and community events. "Like today," he said. "Today is a day we reflect on the sacrifices the members of the joint services did for our freedom, and for the sacrifices our military is making for us today." Mike Richey of Zephyrhills had a display of items from the Civil War era. They included money, bottles, lye soap, lanterns, military equipment, a quilt, pictures and jelly beans. "That is when jelly beans were produced," he said. "Some of the examples of food they ate are hardtack, pancakes, biscuits, peanuts and sweet potatoes." Richey says he hopes to take his exhibit to schools this fall. Arch Marshall brought an exhibit from the Veterans Memorial Museum, located on U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County. Items included gas masks, helmets and a uniform worn in the jungles of Vietnam. John Koprowski, a Vietnam veteran and the area director of the Vietnam Veterans of America, was handing out literature about his organization. "I also have information about how the VA helps vets out," he said. "We try to let the vets know the VA is here for them." He said Armed Forces Day was an opportunity to pay tribute to those who served this country. "Earlier in the day four children came and asked what we were doing here," he said. "It was an opportunity to educate them. A big problem today is that children don't identify with the veterans and the sacrifices they made to preserve their freedom." On November 11 there will be a dedication of the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington, D.C., acknowledging its 20th anniversary. "Seeing the wall was the most emotional thing I ever experienced," said Rosemary Piazza. In addition to the exhibits, there were hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream sold by the Boy Scouts of Troop 450. Music by a country band filled the air. Before the gathering at the depot a small parade marched down Main Street in Zephyrhills. "It was short but nice," said Sheila Schultz of Tampa, who brought her father to the parade. Roque Santa Cruz, 84, was in the Army Air Forces during World War II. "I was with (Dwight) Eisenhower in North Africa," said the Zephyrhills resident. "I was selected to run the dental lab in Algiers. That was where the Allied Forces were stationed." "Not too many people came out for the parade," said Schultz. "But it was a nice parade." -- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4612, or (813) 909-4612. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters Letters |
