Veterans remembered for sacrifice

Sen. Bill Nelson is a surprise speaker at the Florida National Cemetery ceremonies.

By LOGAN NEILL, Times Staff Writer
Published November 12, 2007

A member of the Florida National Guard Honor Guard stands in front of one of the fields of graves at the Florida National Cemetery Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday.
	[David Degner | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [David Degner | Times] Zaiden Ramirez, 2, and Zain Ramirez, 3, sit in their father's, Adel Ramirez, 33, lap and watch the Veterans Day ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery. This is the seventh time the family of Sgt. Eric U. Ramirez has come to his grave, first for his burial and every Memorial and Veterans Day since. [David Degner | Times] Zaiden Ramirez, 2, kisses his uncle's grave at the Florida National Cemetery. Sgt. Eric U. Ramirez died on Feb. 12, 2004 in an IED explosion during a patrol in the city of Abu Ghraib.

BUSHNELL - With row after row of white marble gravestones serving as a solemn backdrop, Army veteran Leo Putney applauded vigorously at the conclusion of singer Laura Riley's soaring rendition of America The Beautiful.

"Wonderful," the 77-year-old Putney said to his wife, Arlene, seated next to him. "That made my day."

Putney, who served in the Army during the Korean War, drove from Ocala on Sunday to attend his first Veterans Day ceremonies at Florida National Cemetery. A native of Lansing, Mich., he appreciated one thing in particular: there was no snow on the ground.

"I can't tell you how many Veterans Day parades I stood in the snow for," Putney said. "I guess there's little chance of that happening down here."

Indeed, Sunday's ceremonies occurred under clear blue skies and drew generations of soldiers and their families to the 513-acre burial ground off Interstate 75 and southwest of Bushnell, where 85,000 people are laid to rest.

Guest speakers, which included a surprise visit by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., intoned the proceedings with affectionate appreciation for the service and sacrifice that fighting men and women are willing to give for America.

"The title of veteran comes with a great deal of honor, gratitude and respect from your fellow citizens," said guest speaker William F. Turek, undersecretary of memorial affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. "That is what this day will always be about."

Wearing a leather vest festooned with memorial patches and buttons, Vietnam War veteran Bob Lehmann stood at the back of the crowd while his 3-year-old grandson Andrew busied himself with a toy car. Lehmann, who served two tours in an Army engineering company, said he was glad to see the military being honored in a more positive light than during his time of service.

"Few people seemed to care that much about what we went through back then," said Lehmann. "Thankfully, things have changed in recent years. The result is you're seeing more and more of us coming out for Veterans Day."

Chaplain Harold Marcou told the crowd he hoped that they would visit the cemetery more often than designated holidays.

"This is a special park for special people," Marcou said. "Your family is here and they love it whenever you come."

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or 848-1435.

[Last modified November 11, 2007, 21:42:17]