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Bushnell

Wreaths Across America pays homage to fallen veterans

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In touching tributes that played out at cemeteries across the country, the nation paused for a moment on Dec. 15 to remember its fallen military veterans through Wreaths Across America.

People fanned out to place wreaths on headstones throughout the 512-acre Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. To date, more than 129,000 have been laid to rest at the cemetery. (Randy Underhill)

An estimated 2 million wreaths were laid on the gravestones of military veterans, including more than 30,000 at the Florida military cemetery in Bushnell.

Thousands arrived to Bushnell early, on a cloudy, windy day, to take part in the annual ceremony.

The wreaths arrived in semi-trailer trucks.

People traveled there on motorcycles and in cars. They came as members of veterans organizations, civic clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. There were family members and friends of the veterans being honored.

This is the gravestone of Lowell Hathaway, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He is the father of Mary Eberhard, accounting manager for The Laker/Lutz News.

The crowd lined the narrow streets, as the escorted semi-trucks made their way to different sections of the 512-acre cemetery — delivering more than 30,000 wreaths to be placed at the headstones of veterans.

A ceremony was held at 11:45 a.m., with the presentation of colors, the placing of the POW/MIA table, the posting of ceremonial wreaths and other ceremonial touches.

Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Michael E. Langley, of U.S. Central Command, spoke about the nation’s veterans, and their fortitude and willingness to serve.

The playing of “Taps” concluded the service.

The event was hosted by Wreaths Across America Bushnell and U.S. Military Vets MC.

Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell is off Interstate 75, about one hour north of Land O’ Lakes.

By Randy Underhill

Published December 19, 2018

Vernon Brown, of Fort Myers, a veteran of the Vietnam War, placed a wreath for a fallen soldier he did not know, during Wreaths Across America on Dec. 15.
Staff Sgt. Andrew King, of Oklahoma, and Sgt. Kristopher Calnon, from California, both stationed at MacDill, post one of the ceremonial wreaths during Wreaths Across America, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Ninety-six-year-old Lyle Strong, of Zephyrhills, stands proudly, as he is recognized for his service during World War II.
Local Harley Owner’s Group members Capt. David Kreiger, Land O’ Lakes, seated on motorcycle; Barbara Blakely, director, left center, of Lutz; Larry Blakely, secretary, of Lutz; and Luis Buitrago, treasurer, get ready to ride through the rain to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. They are shown here in Land O’ Lakes.
Major Michael E. Langley, of the U.S. Central Command, was the keynote speaker for Wreaths Across America, an event at cemeteries across the country, including Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
U.S. Air Force veteran David Reeve, a member of the U.S. Military Vets MC, stands near a table set in honor of prisoners of war and missing comrades. Each item on the table has significance. The table is set for a meal, but never occupied, at every military ceremony.

‘He had lots of ideas and wanted to do things’

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Seventy-three-year-old Ray Mason died suddenly after a medical emergency during a vacation.

From left, Ray Mason, Elaine Stoots, Jim Evans, Lyle Watson and Fred Wilsky, members of American Legion Post 108 gathered earlier this year to talk about the post’s 80th birthday. (File)

Mason’s death was “a terrible shock,” said Lyle Watson, who came to know Mason during their time together as members of the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108.

“He bought into the Legion 150 percent,” Watson said.

“He very quickly made a name for himself and made everybody take notice,” Watson added.

Mason served in the Navy, from 1962 to 1968, as a commissary store keeper. More recently, he served as adjutant of Post 108, assisting commanders and then later became a commander himself.

Watson served as Mason’s adjutant.

Bill Garrison, a former post commander, said Mason’s death “was definitely a loss” for Post 108.

Garrison described Mason as “the glue that held Post 108 together.

“He went above and beyond, both as commander and adjutant. He loved veterans,” Garrison said.

Ray Mason, of American Legion Post 108, helps place flags at gravestones of veterans at Lutz Cemetery, to honor their service to the country. (File)

Richard Fernandez, another former commander, said Mason accomplished a great deal during his tenure with Post 108, perhaps more than any other commander in recent years.

“He loved being involved in it,” said Mason’s wife, Mary.

The Land O’ Lakes couple was married for 48 years and had four children. Their sons are Brian and Tim, and their daughters are Terry Aurie and Karen Kulzer.

Before moving to the area in 1984, Mason lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he owned a meat shop. When he moved here, he worked in the meat department at several different Publix stores, serving as an assistant manager, his wife said.

“He was very helpful. He was everybody’s go-to person,” said his daughter, Karen. “He was a great father, a great husband.”

His wife added: “He was a great friend.”

“If someone had a problem, or something they needed, they’d call him,” she said.

If they wanted to borrow something, he was always willing to help — although sometimes it could take a day or two for him to find the requested item.

When Mason joined Post 108 he was determined to get things done, said Watson, noting he’ll miss his friend. “He was a great guy.”

Over the years, Post 108’s membership has waxed and waned.

Mason was always looking for ways to expand its membership.

During an interview about Post 108’s 80th anniversary earlier this year, Mason talked about the increasing losses suffered by the post, as aging members died.

Now, he too, has joined those ranks.

He died during a vacation, after visiting Gettysburg, a place he always wanted to see, his wife said.

Arrangements are pending, but the family plans to hold a ceremony with military honors at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Published Oct. 18, 2017

A time to remember military sacrifice

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Our nation is preparing to observe Memorial Day, in honor of the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces.

The American holiday, which falls on the last Monday of May each year, originally was known as Decoration Day. It began in the years following the Civil War and was declared an official federal holiday in 1971.

(File)

To mark the holiday weekend, several events and ceremonies are planned for the region. Here is a listing of some of those events.

  • Lutz-Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108 will be placing flags at the Lutz cemetery May 27 and retrieving them May 30, both days at 9 a.m. The group also will be selling poppies, for a donation, at the Sunlake Publix, on Memorial Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Veterans Memorial Park and LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., in Tampa, will host its 20th annual Memorial Day ceremony May 28 at 11 a.m. The event will include patriotic songs, a keynote speech, a POW/MIA Missing Man Remembrance Celebration, a wreath presentation, a rifle salute and taps. Guests can bring lawn chairs. The park, monuments and museum are free and open to the public. For information, call (813) 744-5502.
  • The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., in Homosassa, will host a Memorial Day event May 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special activities to recognize and honor those who served our country. Volunteers will be collecting items (toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and laundry soap) for the Mission in Citrus Homeless Veterans Shelter. Visitors can support the Honor Flight network and write notes to veterans of World War II and Korean War. For information, call Susan Strawbridge at (352) 628-5445, ext. 1002, or Carla Nicklas at (352) 257-1480.
  • The Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S.W. 102nd Ave., in Bushnell, will have a Memorial Day ceremony May 29 at 11 a.m., in the Assembly Area. For information, call (352) 793-7740.
  • Oldsmar will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony May 29 at 10 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Park, 250 Shore Drive E., in Oldsmar. The keynote speaker will be Brian Anderson, CEO of Veterans Alternative. Local singer Malori Shaw will perform. The outdoor event will take place rain or shine. Admission is free.

Additionally, some local attractions, including The Museum of Science and Industry, at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., and Lowry Park Zoo, at 1101 W. Sligh Ave. have special offers for members of the military.

The Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission all summer for active-duty members of the United States military and their families from May 27 through the end of Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4.

Veterans can visit MOSI for free on Labor Day weekend, and can bring up to five family members. For information, visit MOSI.org.

CORRECTION: This year, members of the military can purchase discounted tickets for The Lowry Park Zoo at MacDill Air Force Base. For more information, call (813) 935-8552. There also is a crash sale this holiday weekend on the greater one-horned rhino encounter and behind-the-scenes tour. To learn more, visit TLPZ.org/tours.

Published May 24, 2017

 

Local man was ‘Destined to Serve’

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Whether in law enforcement, military or ministry, Barry White has always been destined to serve.

In 2014, the Land O’ Lakes resident detailed his 37-plus years in public service in a self-published 218-page memoir, “Destined to Serve.”

Barry White (Courtesy of Barry White)
Barry White
(Photos courtesy of Barry White)

In the book, White chronicles key moments during his work for the Tampa Police Department, the Florida Wildlife Commission and the U.S. Army.

“It’s really about what I think are some very interesting things that happened to me or around me when I was in law enforcement or when I was an army chaplain,” White, 67, said. “A lot of the stories — especially the ones where I was in law enforcement — are very usable in some messages to drive home a point or an illustration.”

Some tales are exciting, some comical. Some are sad and others, heartbreaking.

Most of the book’s 17 chapters focus on his military experience, most of which he described as “super rewarding.”

His duties as an army chaplain took him to places like Guantanamo Bay— “a really unique experience”— and Seoul, Korea— “a neat place.”

Yet, the most challenging portion of the book to write, he said, focused on delivering military death notifications. As an army chaplain, he was required to inform next of kin when a loved one had passed away.

He figures he delivered about a dozen — “a dozen too many”— death notifications in his 23 years as a chaplain.

Barry White served as a soldier-chaplain in the U.S. Army for 23 years, before retiring in 2010. A majority of the book focuses on his time in the U.S. Army.
Barry White served as a soldier-chaplain in the U.S. Army for 23 years, before retiring in 2010. A majority of the book focuses on his time in the U.S. Army.

“It’s the last thing in the world I want to do,” White said. “I honestly and truly would rather be involved in some sort of a (police) shootout — as long as I have protection—than to have to experience those types of emotions. Just imagine having to go tell somebody — it’s just a very difficult thing to do.”

In fact, the emotion of telling people their loved ones had passed away was the most difficult he ever experienced in his career, White said.

“I’d rather have to do law enforcement than to go back and do that again,” he said.

The most enjoyable chapters to write centered on his years in police work, and when he worked as a state wildlife officer, patrolling the Tsala Apopka Chain and the Withlacoochee River.

“The Florida Wildlife Commission was a lot of fun,” he said. “You’re outdoors all the time, and even in hot Florida, you’re out there among nature.”

White noted that being a state wildlife officer was “definitely less stressful” than his three years in the Tampa Police Department.

Barry White also worked as a state wildlife officer from 1977-1979.
Barry White also worked as a state wildlife officer from 1977-1979.

“We didn’t have that many problems,” he said about working as a state wildlife officer. …“Even if you catch someone doing a crime — like shining (a light) at night — usually you were on top of them before they even knew it. There’s adrenaline, but it was a good kind of adrenaline, whereas the police department, you were scared because there could be a riot, a gang or a bunch of folks who were all drunk, and you had no backup.”

He continued: “Times have changed in law enforcement, but even then, there’s moments where you’re right in the middle of something and it’s like, ‘What am I doing here?’ It wasn’t so much that I hated the (police officer) job, but there were fears there.”

White now presides over funerals at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. He also fills in as a chaplain on Holland America cruise line.

Destined to Serve can be ordered on Amazon.com.

Q&A with Barry White, author of ‘Destined to Serve’
How did you get interested in law enforcement?
“I was inspired to go into the (Tampa) police department by my brother, so I really started getting the bug. …I think by end of my three years in the police department, I was already getting a little burned out. I wasn’t as happy there as I thought I’d be. I met some very good friends, one of which was a state wildlife officer, and he helped get me excited about that.”

Did you experience a lot of negativity as a law enforcement officer, particularly working with the TPD?
“Just individual times. When you were in certain neighborhoods, there was definitely animosity. My problem was that my heart is too big. That’s one reason why I wasn’t happy. It seemed like the officers that I worked with, if they had a particularly difficult person, they’d call me. It didn’t always work, but sometimes it did because I just had a way of connecting. But, that also can cause you a lot of problems, too. Like today, it’s so hard to let your guard down.”

How different is the Tampa area today since your family moved here in the mid-to-late 1950s?
“There was nothing out here. We used to go camping where the (University of South Florida’s) Sun Dome is. It used to be a big borrow pit where they took lime rock out, and we would go camping there. That’s where we did hikes as Boy Scouts. USF had two buildings when we moved here. Even here in Land O’ Lakes, between Collier Parkway and Camp Indianhead Road, there’s now a subdivision that used to be a camp.”

Barry White bio
Barry White was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1948. He moved to Tampa in 1957 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1967-1971. He worked for the Tampa Police Department, 1974 to 1977; was a state wildlife officer from 1977 to 1979; and, was a soldier-chaplain for the U.S. Army from 1987 to 2010.

Published August 31, 2016

Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest draws record crowd

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About 8,000 people attended the fifth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, breaking another record for the event founded in 2010 by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Besides attracting thousands to enjoy the barbecue and bands, the event on Jan. 17 at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, also lured 51 teams to compete to see who makes the best barbecue. Thirty-nine teams competed at the professional level, and there were 12 backyard barbecue teams, according to a news release issued by the chamber.

With limited room for dancing, Cindy Crismon of Zephyrhills, center, managed to strut her stuff in the crowd while jamming to the music of The Lauren Mitchell Band. This was her first Pigz In Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. She is a winter resident from Lake Orion, Michigan. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
With limited room for dancing, Cindy Crismon of Zephyrhills, center, managed to strut her stuff in the crowd while jamming to the music of The Lauren Mitchell Band. This was her first Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. She is a winter resident from Lake Orion, Michigan.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Figures have not been tallied, but organizers estimate the event exceeded last year’s proceeds of $30,000.

The money raised benefits local youth and education programs and community services of the Chamber of Commerce.

A crew of more than 100 volunteers pitched in to make the event a success. Many worked the entire week, some arriving at dawn and staying past sunset, to get things ready for the festival and to take it down and clean up the grounds.

“Beyond even our own optimistic projections, Pigz in Z’Hills belongs to Zephyrhills,” Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the chamber, said in an email.

“I’m thrilled by the positive outcome and so very happy for the volunteers, the participants and the community who came together to make it happen,” she said.

There were thousands who arrived by car, and at least 26 private aircraft took advantage of the airport’s “Fly-in” option.

Besides enjoying barbecued foods of many styles, spectators had the chance to listen to music performed by TC Carr & Bolts of Blue, The Lauren Mitchell Band, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones and Cold Iron.

The event venue was larger this year, too, to make room for increased demand for kids’ activities, vendors, a classic car show, and aviation and military history displays.

The Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ competition is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association and is a qualifier for three prestigious championship contests: the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg – considered the Superbowl of BBQ contests; American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City – the world’s largest and oldest contest; and the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational – the FBA’s newest contest.

Wink’s Barbecue led by Wink Yelverton of Fort Walton Beach, FL won Grand Champion Professional Division qualifying his team for all three prestigious contests. Peter Golob of Extra Mile BBQ from Loveland, Ohio took Reserve Champion. In the Backyard Division, Bettern Store Bot, Dave Grantham of Bushnell won Grand Champion while Bamboo Warrior, head cook Curley McKenzie of Thonotosassa took Reserve Champion.

Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ & Blues benefits local youth and education programs and community services of the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org, call (813) 782-1913, or visit the chamber’s Facebook Page.

Published January 28, 2015

Bringing history to life: Dade’s Battle

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Those who enjoy history and the spectacle of re-enactments may want to make their way to Bushnell in early January to watch the dramatization of a battle that sparked the beginning of the Second Seminole War.

Re-enactors will take to the Historic Dade Battlefield to assume the roles of Seminole warriors and American soldiers during the 32nd annual commemoration of Dade’s Battle.

U.S. troops charge during Dade’s Battle, an annual re-enactment that occurs at the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell. (Courtesy of Dade Battlefield Historic State Park)
U.S. troops charge during Dade’s Battle, an annual re-enactment that occurs at the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell. (Courtesy of Dade Battlefield Historic State Park)

The actual battle took place on Dec. 28, 1835 — 10 years before Florida even became a state, said Bill Gruber, park manager at the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.

While the re-enactment is a condensed version of the actual battle, it is authentic in many respects, Gruber said. The re-enactors wear uniforms and clothing that resemble those used during that period, and many fire blank cartridges from weapons that are reproductions of the kind that were used in the battle.

Re-enactors from throughout Florida and beyond gather in Bushnell to dramatize the conflict, Gruber said, and a couple of thousand people typically watch.

About 100 re-enactors take part in the dramatization, said Paul Remis, president of the Dade Battlefield Society Inc. Re-enactors come from all over the country, as well as from Canada and overseas.

The event is the largest Seminole re-enactment and has been taking place longer than any other Seminole re-enactment, Remis said.

The annual event began as a small memorial service at the site, which includes a portion of the historic battlefield, Gruber said, and has evolved over time into a major re-enactment.

The event marks an important historic battle that many people know little or nothing about, the park manager said. The Dade Battle sparked the longest, costliest and deadliest war between the United States and Native Americans.

When Florida became a U.S. territory and settlers began moving here, the Native Americans were forced to move south, according to the DadeBattlefield.com website.

By the 1830s, there was significant conflict between Seminoles and white settlers. The conflict intensified because of the Seminole practice of giving refuge to fugitive slaves, the website says.

When the Treaty of Payne’s Landing was signed in 1832, some chiefs agreed to move to territory west of the Mississippi River. But there was widespread opposition to this treaty, led by a Seminole chief named Osceola, and that resulted in the outbreak of the Second Seminole War.

In December 1835, more than 100 U.S. troops and officers were marching from Fort Brooke in what is now Tampa to reinforce Fort King, Gruber said, which is in present-day Ocala.

At the site where the park now stands, 180 Seminole warriors ambushed the U.S. troops, killing all but three, Gruber said. One died a short time later, leaving only two survivors.

The soldiers had expected to be attacked during their march, but had believed it would come earlier, Gruber said, so they had let down their guard.

Remis agreed that the soldiers thought the danger was behind them.

“They figured if they’re going to get us, they’re going to burn a bridge and we’re going to be trapped, we’re not going to have anywhere to go,” Remis said.

Visitors to the 80-acre state can stop by the visitor center to see displays about the historic battle, Gruber said, and watch an informative 12-minute video about it, called “This Land, These Men.”

They also can walk a short battlefield trail, which actually follows a stretch of the historic Fort King Military Road. It displays interpretive labels, along with monuments to Dade and his command.

Besides its historic significance, the park also offers visitors a chance to see a variety of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, gopher tortoises, eastern cottontails, red-shouldered hawks and pileated woodpeckers.

In addition to the annual re-enactment of Dade’s Battle, there are other special events during the year, Gruber said. The park also features picnic areas, a playground and other amenities.

If you go
WHAT: Dade’s Battle
WHY: A re-enactment of the battle that sparked the Second Seminole War, as well as period soldier, Seminole and civilian camps, historic arts and crafts demonstrations, full-scale firing, tree cutting, barricade building, 19th century games and activities for children and vendors.
WHEN: Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Re-enactment of Dade’s Battle each day at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell
COST: $5 per person, with children younger than 6 free. Parking is $3.
INFO: (352) 793-4781, or FloridaStateParks.org

Published December 17, 2014

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