thedrifter
05-22-09, 09:51 AM
Veterans prepare for a day of memories
By Joe VanHoose
Staff writer
Published: Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
As rain poured down on the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday afternoon, several veterans from different forces and wars sat in an informal circle inside the park office. Army vets cracked wise on Marine "jarheads." Air Force veterans picked their spots and joked accordingly.
The mood was as light as it could be, considering the park's annual Memorial Day salute event was just a few days away. Then again, the Veterans Planning Committee had every detail already laid out.
"That's what happens when you get a bunch of military working together," said Bill Pellerin, a 54-year-old Army veteran who served with the 351st Military Police in the first Gulf War. "It all works and comes together perfect."
On Monday morning, those in attendance for the Memorial Day event will be treated to the 80-piece Kingdom of the Sun band and a full color guard, a flyover of World War II Warbirds, a 21-gun salute and keynote speeches.
Frank Holland, who sailed on the Nautilus, America's first nuclear submarine, will have on display his 1,800-pound, 28-foot replica submarine built out of an airplane gas tank and a lot of fiberglass.
But everything that happens is not for its own merit, Pellerin said. That's not what Memorial Day is about.
"This event isn't about showing off the military or anything like that," he said with sternness in his face. "It's about remembering those who gave their lives for this country."
Before, during and after Wednesday's meeting, Pellerin traded jabs with Marine veteran Jeff Kochen.
The two have known each other for years, even working together at the Marion County Department of Corrections before Kochen began serving with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Kochen wasn't fazed, sending jokes right back. "I'm a Marine Master Sergeant," he said, laughing the way a man does when he talks with an old friend. "I can handle it. I can handle anything."
Kochen has been at every park Memorial Day Celebration since the facility opened in 1997, except for 2005. He was in Iraq then.
He said that when the first event was held at the new park, only the Marines showed up.
"We were the only branch that would volunteer, and that's why we lay the memorial wreath every year," he said. "Then Tommy Needham took over, and that's when the whole deal started expanding."
Needham, who passed away earlier this month, will be honored during the ceremony Monday. The veterans who met Wednesday spoke warmly of Needham and said they hope to carry on the growth of the park.
The biggest goal, Army veteran Morrey Dean said, is to reach out to the county's youth.
"This is our chance to pass the heritage of this country off to another generation," said Dean. "It's all about sacrifice, and we don't want people to forget to thank and honor the servicemen who died for our freedom."
Ellie
By Joe VanHoose
Staff writer
Published: Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
As rain poured down on the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday afternoon, several veterans from different forces and wars sat in an informal circle inside the park office. Army vets cracked wise on Marine "jarheads." Air Force veterans picked their spots and joked accordingly.
The mood was as light as it could be, considering the park's annual Memorial Day salute event was just a few days away. Then again, the Veterans Planning Committee had every detail already laid out.
"That's what happens when you get a bunch of military working together," said Bill Pellerin, a 54-year-old Army veteran who served with the 351st Military Police in the first Gulf War. "It all works and comes together perfect."
On Monday morning, those in attendance for the Memorial Day event will be treated to the 80-piece Kingdom of the Sun band and a full color guard, a flyover of World War II Warbirds, a 21-gun salute and keynote speeches.
Frank Holland, who sailed on the Nautilus, America's first nuclear submarine, will have on display his 1,800-pound, 28-foot replica submarine built out of an airplane gas tank and a lot of fiberglass.
But everything that happens is not for its own merit, Pellerin said. That's not what Memorial Day is about.
"This event isn't about showing off the military or anything like that," he said with sternness in his face. "It's about remembering those who gave their lives for this country."
Before, during and after Wednesday's meeting, Pellerin traded jabs with Marine veteran Jeff Kochen.
The two have known each other for years, even working together at the Marion County Department of Corrections before Kochen began serving with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Kochen wasn't fazed, sending jokes right back. "I'm a Marine Master Sergeant," he said, laughing the way a man does when he talks with an old friend. "I can handle it. I can handle anything."
Kochen has been at every park Memorial Day Celebration since the facility opened in 1997, except for 2005. He was in Iraq then.
He said that when the first event was held at the new park, only the Marines showed up.
"We were the only branch that would volunteer, and that's why we lay the memorial wreath every year," he said. "Then Tommy Needham took over, and that's when the whole deal started expanding."
Needham, who passed away earlier this month, will be honored during the ceremony Monday. The veterans who met Wednesday spoke warmly of Needham and said they hope to carry on the growth of the park.
The biggest goal, Army veteran Morrey Dean said, is to reach out to the county's youth.
"This is our chance to pass the heritage of this country off to another generation," said Dean. "It's all about sacrifice, and we don't want people to forget to thank and honor the servicemen who died for our freedom."
Ellie