thedrifter
09-03-08, 03:16 PM
Marines rally to support Wounded Warrior program at ‘August Drums’
By MICHAEL FORTUNA, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES — The Marines have a simple code within their ranks.
“We take care of everyone,” Howard Pierson said. “Marines never left our wounded or dead. No matter what, we brought them back.”
That philosophy of taking care of each other shone through during Magical Moments’ production of “August Drums” Thursday and Friday night at Savannah Center.
The main goal of the show — created, produced and directed by Larry Peddrick, who had served in the Marine Corps — was to bring attention to the Marines’ newly created Wounded Warriors program.
The set was spare, with a patio table and a large lighted umbrella on either side of the stage. In the center was a large screen flashing images of the Armed Forces in action while residents sang, danced and told jokes.
The Philip C. DeLong detachment of the Marine Corps League’s color guard took part in the show’s finale, while other members were in the lobby talking to the audience about the Wounded Warriors
program before and after the show.
“We’re more than happy to support our wounded veterans,” said G. Lee Radford, commandant of the detachment and a Village of Virginia Trace resident.
Since April 2007, the Marine Corps League has grown to 139 members.
“We’re here for the good of the community,” Radford said.
Larry Peddrick had asked Pierson, a Village of Rio Grande resident, to come to the show Friday night. Pierson had served 1945-47, as well as 1952-53, and during those years, he was wounded four times.
“As one Marine to another, I have to be here,” Pierson said.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg resident Tracey Willis brought along Bart, a 7-month-old guide-dog-in-training from Southeastern Guide Dogs. She came to talk about her son, Michael Jernigan, who served in Iraq as a Marine corporal and is attending Georgetown University.
Four years ago, Jernigan was sitting in the turret of a Humvee when the vehicle hit a roadside bomb. Among his injuries, he lost both of his eyes.
Jernigan has been using a guide dog named Brittany since March 2007, and he has been involved with Paws for Patriots, which helps provide guide dogs for those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jernigan was featured on the poster for the HBO special “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” which Willis had on display in the Savannah Center lobby area.
Executive producer James Gandolfini signed the poster, writing “Can I be your vice president?” Willis said that her son’s goal is to become president of the United States.
During “August Drums,” Jim Boerman sang “Up a Lazy River” and “Take Me Down” while the screen behind him showed troops traveling down rivers, as well as fighter planes engaged in battle.
“It’s great (to be helping Wounded Warriors),” Boerman said. “We’ve been wanting to do something; Larry had all the contacts.”
Boerman, who lives in the Village of Country Club Hills, has been with Magical Moments for four years. Someone had told him about the group and Boerman went to the auditions.
“They’re good shows; a lot of fun,” Boerman said. “Very well-run. We all have a good time. No one is under any pressure.”
For more than 30 years, Boerman sang in a five-piece band in Chicago called the Rhythm Lads.
“They’re still in existence,” Boerman said. “My son runs them.”
Michael Fortuna is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9234, or michael.fortuna@thevillagesmedia.com.
Ellie
By MICHAEL FORTUNA, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES — The Marines have a simple code within their ranks.
“We take care of everyone,” Howard Pierson said. “Marines never left our wounded or dead. No matter what, we brought them back.”
That philosophy of taking care of each other shone through during Magical Moments’ production of “August Drums” Thursday and Friday night at Savannah Center.
The main goal of the show — created, produced and directed by Larry Peddrick, who had served in the Marine Corps — was to bring attention to the Marines’ newly created Wounded Warriors program.
The set was spare, with a patio table and a large lighted umbrella on either side of the stage. In the center was a large screen flashing images of the Armed Forces in action while residents sang, danced and told jokes.
The Philip C. DeLong detachment of the Marine Corps League’s color guard took part in the show’s finale, while other members were in the lobby talking to the audience about the Wounded Warriors
program before and after the show.
“We’re more than happy to support our wounded veterans,” said G. Lee Radford, commandant of the detachment and a Village of Virginia Trace resident.
Since April 2007, the Marine Corps League has grown to 139 members.
“We’re here for the good of the community,” Radford said.
Larry Peddrick had asked Pierson, a Village of Rio Grande resident, to come to the show Friday night. Pierson had served 1945-47, as well as 1952-53, and during those years, he was wounded four times.
“As one Marine to another, I have to be here,” Pierson said.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg resident Tracey Willis brought along Bart, a 7-month-old guide-dog-in-training from Southeastern Guide Dogs. She came to talk about her son, Michael Jernigan, who served in Iraq as a Marine corporal and is attending Georgetown University.
Four years ago, Jernigan was sitting in the turret of a Humvee when the vehicle hit a roadside bomb. Among his injuries, he lost both of his eyes.
Jernigan has been using a guide dog named Brittany since March 2007, and he has been involved with Paws for Patriots, which helps provide guide dogs for those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jernigan was featured on the poster for the HBO special “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” which Willis had on display in the Savannah Center lobby area.
Executive producer James Gandolfini signed the poster, writing “Can I be your vice president?” Willis said that her son’s goal is to become president of the United States.
During “August Drums,” Jim Boerman sang “Up a Lazy River” and “Take Me Down” while the screen behind him showed troops traveling down rivers, as well as fighter planes engaged in battle.
“It’s great (to be helping Wounded Warriors),” Boerman said. “We’ve been wanting to do something; Larry had all the contacts.”
Boerman, who lives in the Village of Country Club Hills, has been with Magical Moments for four years. Someone had told him about the group and Boerman went to the auditions.
“They’re good shows; a lot of fun,” Boerman said. “Very well-run. We all have a good time. No one is under any pressure.”
For more than 30 years, Boerman sang in a five-piece band in Chicago called the Rhythm Lads.
“They’re still in existence,” Boerman said. “My son runs them.”
Michael Fortuna is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9234, or michael.fortuna@thevillagesmedia.com.
Ellie