thedrifter
11-07-07, 06:10 AM
Heart's Desire Salutes Former Marine
By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 7, 2007
NORTHDALE - For serving his country in three wars - World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam - Sgt. Maj. Leroy Edwards recently was honored by a group of fellow Marines.
Edwards, 83, is a resident at Arden Courts, an assisted living facility at 14950 Casey Road in Northdale. He moved there three years ago to be with his wife, Evelyn, who died in spring.
"He just wanted to be closer to her," said Julie Reeves, an Arden Courts spokeswoman.
After experiencing recent heath problems, Edwards is on the mend, and staff members at Arden Courts decided it was time to exercise its Heart's Desire program for Edwards.
The program is meant to realize the wishes of Arden Courts residents.
Past fulfilled wishes include riding in hot-air balloons, meeting former University of Florida football coach Steve Spurrier and being pampered at a salon.
Edwards wanted a simple meal of his favorite food, Cuban, with his best buddies, members of branch 109 of the Marine Corps League, which covers Tampa.
Nick Devera, 83, served with Edwards for many years in the same division. They fought together in the South Pacific during World War II and patrolled Nagasaki after the second atomic bomb exploded.
"He was one tough guy," Devera said. "He could duke it out with anybody."
Devera said Edwards, a soft-spoken man, had a thankless job in the Marines as a drill sergeant "because everyone hates them."
Edwards said he joined the Marines as a 16-year-old Louisiana boy, a little while after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
"Most of my friends joined the Navy," Edwards said. "I wanted to fight at the time, so I joined the Marines."
Edwards was highly decorated during his 30-year career in the Marines. "Mr. Edwards' jacket would be very heavy if he had all his medals on right now," Reeves said.
Reeves said Arden Courts does about four Heart's Desire events a year. The program helps stimulate residents, she said, which is important since the facility specializes in treating people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Reeves said Edwards' son Jon sometimes takes his dad deep-sea fishing when not working in California.
Frank Rosa, a member of branch 109 of the Marine Corps League, said with the Corps' 232nd anniversary on Saturday, it was especially important for him to be at Edwards' dinner.
"We try to do this as often as we can," Rosa said.
After serving in the Marines, Reeves said Edwards was a sheriff's deputy in Hillsborough County, retiring in 1967. Edwards said he also has been a Shriner for about 25 years.
Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.
Ellie
By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 7, 2007
NORTHDALE - For serving his country in three wars - World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam - Sgt. Maj. Leroy Edwards recently was honored by a group of fellow Marines.
Edwards, 83, is a resident at Arden Courts, an assisted living facility at 14950 Casey Road in Northdale. He moved there three years ago to be with his wife, Evelyn, who died in spring.
"He just wanted to be closer to her," said Julie Reeves, an Arden Courts spokeswoman.
After experiencing recent heath problems, Edwards is on the mend, and staff members at Arden Courts decided it was time to exercise its Heart's Desire program for Edwards.
The program is meant to realize the wishes of Arden Courts residents.
Past fulfilled wishes include riding in hot-air balloons, meeting former University of Florida football coach Steve Spurrier and being pampered at a salon.
Edwards wanted a simple meal of his favorite food, Cuban, with his best buddies, members of branch 109 of the Marine Corps League, which covers Tampa.
Nick Devera, 83, served with Edwards for many years in the same division. They fought together in the South Pacific during World War II and patrolled Nagasaki after the second atomic bomb exploded.
"He was one tough guy," Devera said. "He could duke it out with anybody."
Devera said Edwards, a soft-spoken man, had a thankless job in the Marines as a drill sergeant "because everyone hates them."
Edwards said he joined the Marines as a 16-year-old Louisiana boy, a little while after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
"Most of my friends joined the Navy," Edwards said. "I wanted to fight at the time, so I joined the Marines."
Edwards was highly decorated during his 30-year career in the Marines. "Mr. Edwards' jacket would be very heavy if he had all his medals on right now," Reeves said.
Reeves said Arden Courts does about four Heart's Desire events a year. The program helps stimulate residents, she said, which is important since the facility specializes in treating people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Reeves said Edwards' son Jon sometimes takes his dad deep-sea fishing when not working in California.
Frank Rosa, a member of branch 109 of the Marine Corps League, said with the Corps' 232nd anniversary on Saturday, it was especially important for him to be at Edwards' dinner.
"We try to do this as often as we can," Rosa said.
After serving in the Marines, Reeves said Edwards was a sheriff's deputy in Hillsborough County, retiring in 1967. Edwards said he also has been a Shriner for about 25 years.
Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.
Ellie