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U.S. Marine Corps

World War II vet celebrates 100th birthday

October 23, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

VFW Post 8154, in Zephyrhills, was packed with people to celebrate Edward Bruno’s 100th birthday on Oct. 12.

“I think he will be absolutely stunned to see how many people have come out today to honor him and celebrate his birthday,” said Suzanne Ahmad, his niece.

And, so he was.

Edward Bruno, of Zephyrhills, donned a golden crown as he celebrated his 100th birthday on Oct. 12, with family and friends. (Brian Fernandes)

“It’s a surprise to me,” said Bruno, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, during an event that attracted relatives, devoted friends and dignitaries.

He sat at a long table, in a chair festooned with balloons, donning a birthday crown emblazoned with the number 100.

Like many of his fellow VFW members in the room, he also wore a signature red polo shirt.

Friends and relatives swarmed him, giving him hugs and handshakes, and taking photos of him.

VFW dignitaries took to the stage, offering their birthday wishes, as Bruno relaxed, taking occasional sips of his wine.

Fellow Marine veteran Glenn Shaw, who lives in Zephyrhills, welcomed the crowd.

His eyes welled with tears as he spoke about his friendship with Bruno.

“I go to his house at least once a week. If nobody makes his bed, I make his bed for him. [I] do little things around the house for him. He’s a good man. He’s my buddy,” Shaw said.

State Rep. Randy Maggard was there, too, to help celebrate the day.

“This is a special event and a special time. Truly he has epitomized the spirit of those we call the greatest generation,” said Maggard, who represents District 38 in the Florida House of Representatives.

Bruno’s extended family sat near him during the celebration, including nieces, a younger sister, a grandson and a daughter-in-law.

They celebrated Bruno’s 100 years of life, which began when he was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1919.

He grew up there, in a family of 13 children.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, at the height of World War II.

The same year, he fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal, and earned a Bronze Medal.

As his military career progressed, he served as a drill sergeant and was stationed in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Georgia and Cape Gloucester.

“I think he’s always been very proud of his service, his devotion to his family and country,” Ahmad said.

Longevity is a family trait, she added.

However, while enjoying a lengthy life, Bruno has outlived his wife, Barbara, and his only son, Bobby.

There have been challenges, too.

He had to be fitted with a prosthetic leg, after an accident in a factory.

But, he always has made the best of his situations, Ahmad said.

And, his example has been a life lesson for her, she added.

Bruno’s two other nieces, Paulette Kline and Louise Cantwell, also were at the party, reminiscing fondly about their uncle.

“We would have a lot of happy memories of being in his home,” Kline said, “and [he was] always a very gracious host and very loving.”

She said her uncle helped her to develop a sense of gratitude.

Cantwell recalled that at family gatherings, Bruno and her other uncles would talk about growing up during the Great Depression.

She said it reinforced the importance of being there for one another.

“The solidarity is what we get from it. The family solidarity – to be together when we can and help each other when we can,” Cantwell said.

She also noted his upbeat attitude.

“He’s always got a positive outlook,” Cantwell said. “He just kept on being the same happy person.”

Plus, she mentioned, Bruno has been quite a “chick magnet,” and that’s still true today.

“At 100 years old, he can still get the women to come give him attention,” she said, laughing.

The nieces also agreed that their uncle also has an excellent sense of humor.

Besides offering kind words of congratulations, VFW members also gave Bruno gifts to mark the occasion.

They gave him a framed plaque, a case holding a certificate for his service and a Tervis tumbler cup engraved with his name.

But, Bruno wasn’t the only one celebrating a birthday that day.

Jack Henry Dias was celebrating, too. He shares Bruno’s birthday, and he was turning age 1.

Bruno held little Dias in his lap, while people took photos.

The pictures kept coming, as Bruno was helped outdoors by his grandson, Eric, before partaking in a special meal.

There, Bruno posed with his family and caregivers in front of a big military truck.

They were creating yet another memento, to celebrate Bruno’s century’s worth of life experiences.

Published October 23, 2019

Filed Under: People Profiles, Top Story Tagged With: Battle of Guadalcanal, Edward Bruno, Florida House of Representatives, Glenn Shaw, Great Depression, Louise Cantwell, Paulette Kline, Randy Maggard, Suzanne Ahmad, U.S. Marine Corps, VFW Post 8154, Zephyrhills

Veteran’s gratitude for new face, new friend

August 28, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

When Veteran Don Clough looks in the mirror, he says he’s now satisfied by what he sees.

That’s after undergoing multiple surgeries over the course of the last seven decades.

The surgeries were required after he suffered serious facial wounds while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

War Veteran Don Clough now resides in Wesley Chapel with his wife, Sandy. After being injured in the line of duty during the Korean War, Clough underwent numerous surgeries to reconstruct his face. He’s an active member of a local Marine Corps League. (Courtesy of Don Clough)

Born on the Fourth of July, the Missouri native felt an obligation to serve his country from a young age.

“When I was 10 years old, right after World War II, I saw a movie about the Marines,” Clough recalled. “I decided right then: I wanted to be a Marine.”

And so he did.

A call to duty
Before joining the U.S. Marine Corps at 17, he first got his training a year prior in the Reserve.

“I was very little to be a Marine,” Clough chuckled. “I only weighed 114 pounds.”

His eyes welled with tears as he reminisced the pride he felt while marching at his graduation ceremony, on a breezy day.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the young man had served for almost two years – landing aircrafts in the Fleet Marine Force.

At the start of the conflict, he was deployed to California, then Japan, and finally landed on the shores of South Korea.

Ten days after landing, Clough was on a mission when he got separated from his platoon and was met by enemy gunfire.

He found refuge in a foxhole, but the attack had taken out six of his teeth and tore away his upper gum, upper lip, his nose, and the left side of his face.

Only a dozen members of his platoon survived.

After he was rescued, he underwent treatment for months in Japan before being transferred to California.

After that, he had more than 40 surgeries.

He underwent operations at numerous U.S. Veteran Affairs hospitals — in Illinois, Missouri and Florida.

During plastic surgeries, physicians placed skin grafts on his face taken from his body.

Efforts were made to reconstruct his face, but he felt dismayed by his appearance.

“I looked terrible when I got out,” Clough said. “I had holes in my nose. I was ashamed to even go out to restaurants.”

However, he did not allow this to deter him from seeking higher education and a career for himself.

Returning to civilian life
Using help from the G.I. bill and disability benefits, the former Marine went on to major in accounting at Missouri State University, then received a law degree at University of Missouri.

Clough obtained his law degree in 1959 and began working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, then as a contract negotiator at the U.S. Department of Defense.

A young Don Clough poses in his uniform, as a U.S. Marine. He would soon put his life on the line fighting in the Korean War.

After a decade in government, he transitioned into his own law practice — following his grandfather’s footsteps, who also had been a lawyer.

“I always figured I’d be a tax lawyer,” Clough said, “but I ended up being a criminal lawyer – which I enjoyed.”

Back in Missouri, he served not only as a prosecuting attorney, but as a judge as well.

In 1994, he retired to Florida, where he continued to undergo plastic surgery.

It wasn’t until 2018, though, that his spirits would be lifted by two procedures under the hand of Dr. William Carter.

A new face of gratitude
At the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Dr. Carter performed what Clough said was exemplary work – even giving him a new chin.

The veteran even implored U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida to honor the doctor for his craft.

In a letter of gratitude to the Tampa VA hospital, Clough stated: “Dr. Carter is a modest man, and will tell you he is only doing the job he is paid to do. But, I tell you this, after undergoing 43 plastic surgery operations by different surgeons, in the last 66 years, Dr. Carter is one in a million. A man to be proud of. A man proud to serve those who served.”

The Wesley Chapel man, who spends time with Sandy, his wife of 47 years, said he often hears expressions of gratitude for his service to the country.

Clough has the same sense of appreciation for the doctor — who through the use of his surgical skills — gave him part of his life back.

Published August 28, 2019

Filed Under: Local News, People Profiles, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Don Clough, Fleet Marine Force, Gus Bilirakis, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Korean War, Missouri State University, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Veteran Affairs, University of Missouri, William Carter, World War II

Local veterans’ home celebrates 20 years of service

May 8, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home drew hundreds to a celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the center’s opening in Land O’ Lakes.

The April 30 ceremony was held outside the facility, which has been home to veterans and has been a place where many community organizations have been involved for two decades.

The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home is located on Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Marlies Sarrett, the facility administrator, opened the program with a warm welcome to all attendees, followed by words from Charlie Reese, the master of ceremony.

Members of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) from Hillsborough High School added to the patriotic atmosphere.

They performed the ‘presentation of colors’ in precision, marching before the crowd, with both the U.S. and Florida flags held high.

Those who were able, stood placing their right hand over their heart. Veterans who remained seated respectfully saluted the waving flags.

Lt. Col. Demetrius Green, the JROTC instructor, then took to the stage to address the audience – especially former servicemen.

“This facility was built to honor those who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation and freedom around the world – that is you,” Green said. “You are the epitome of what we want our nation to be.”

This iconic image was taken of 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez leading troops in an invasion at Inchon during the Korean War. Lopez died minutes after the photo was taken. (File)

The nursing home’s namesake, Baldomero Lopez, was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after sacrificing himself over a live grenade to spare the lives of his comrades during the Korean War.

The nursing home opened during the late 1990s, when Florida experienced a great demand for veterans’ homes.

“We were the second nursing home built from Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” Sarrett explained.

Within the past two decades, six VA nursing homes have been established in the state, with two more on the way, the administrator added.

Al Carter, chief of staff for the VA’s Florida department, was present for the day’s ceremony and acknowledged the facility’s longtime staff members.

Among those singled out were Jackie Gorgen of the dietary department who has served since the building’s opening and Dr. Nancy Miranda, a pharmacist.

As each approached the stage, they were met with cheers and applause.

The 20th anniversary ceremony for Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home was a special occasion bringing family together. Resident Skip Upham, left, was joined by his brother-in-law, Jim Callahan, for a special lunch after the ceremony. Upham, 78, is a veteran who served in the U.S. Marines. (Brian Fernandes)

A moment of laughter erupted when maintenance man John Mitchell left the stage shouting “Go veterans!”

Resident Walter Kochaniec expressed appreciation for the care that he receives at the nursing home.

“I like the way the people treat you,” the Vietnam veteran stated.

Olga, his wife of over 30 years, was also present at the ceremony and noted the cleanliness of the facility.

She had visited 10 nursing homes before settling on Baldomero for her husband.

After three years there, the 72-year-old said he’s made friends. He also boasted about his winning streak in bingo – one of his favorite games.

Chaplain Ruth Ann Nylen offered the opening and closing prayers at the ceremony.

Having served at Baldomero for five years, she, too, could attest to the warm service the home provides.

“This is a very highly rated place,” the chaplain said. “The staff here are so committed to the veterans. It’s not just a job for them.”

The celebration for Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home’s 20th anniversary was an opportunity for former and current servicemen to congregate. Among attendees were, from left: Gerry Clement, Jerry Foray, John Mitchell, Lt. Col. Demetrius Green, Don Meath, Reggie Outlaw, Vince Krasinski and Fred Pflueger. (Brian Fernandes)

After the service, residents and guests were treated with hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill, as well as coleslaw and baked beans.

Nylen and other staff walked around to greet veterans and their family members.

Outside the dining hall, the chaplain spotted John Grenier, a Korean War veteran.

Around the home, he’s known as a “very friendly, happy guy,” Nylen said.

As she approached, Grenier noticed the chaplain’s familiar face as he regularly attends her Monday morning Bible studies.

It is a testament of the relationships that have been built within the walls of the 20-year-old facility.

“It’s a treasure that most people don’t even realize is located in our community,” Sarrett mentioned.

But, the administrator and her staff are committed to helping other veterans discover what the facility has to offer.

Published May 08, 2019

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Al Carter, Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, Charlie Reese, Demetrius Green, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Hillsborough High School, Jackie Gorgen, John Grenier, John Mitchell, JROTC, Korean War, Marlies Sarrett, Nancy Miranda, Ruth Ann Nylen, U.S. Marine Corps, Walter Kochaniec

Marine Corps celebrates birthday in style

November 14, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

It’s not every day that a celebration is held for a 243rd birthday, but that’s exactly what the Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 did recently to honor the history of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Bonnie Kessell, of Land O’ Lakes, baked a special birthday cake to commemorate the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Her creation combined raspberry, amaretto and chocolate flavors and was artfully decorated. The cake maker’s husband, Danny Kessell, was in the Marines from 1967 to 1971. (Fred Bellet)

The detachment, also known as the Marine Corps League of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes, had its sixth annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant in the Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, in Lutz, on the evening of Nov. 6.

Active and veteran U.S. Marines, their wives and friends attended the formal affair, which began at 6 p.m., and included a military flag ceremony, a sit-down dinner, a birthday cake cutting ceremony, door prizes, dancing, and a chance to win money and prizes.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognize six Marines who served in the Pacific in World War II and the Korean War. Those Marines received certificates of appreciation for their service.

The Marine veterans also received a letter of commendation from Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps.

In another high point of the event, the detachment bestowed awards to the Marine of the Year and to the Associate of the Year.

Published November 14, 2018

As Commandant L. David Kirk bestows the award of Marine of the Year, the medallion ribbon slides over the nose of Marine Corps veteran Corporal (E3) Lester M. Osteen, of Lutz. Osteen served in the Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956, during the Korean War. Other awards received by Osteen were: the National Defense award, Good Conduct, Korean Service and the United Nations Ribbon. He was honorably discharged after serving 14 months and 13 days in Korea.
Six Marines who served in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean War were recognized, and received certificates and letters of commendation from Marine Corp Gen. Robert B. Neller. The veterans from left are: Capt. Jack B. Shaffer, of Clearwater; Capt. Walter R. ‘Bob’ Seitz, of Land O’ Lakes; Cpl. (E3) Lester M. Osteen, of Lutz; Cpl. (E3) Harold H. Howard Jr., of Wesley Chapel; Sgt. (E4) Donald L. Clough, of Wesley Chapel; and, Cpl. (E3) Henry ‘Frank’ Tillis, of Temple Terrace.
In making a toast, Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440’s Commandant L. David Kirk yells the traditional, ‘Oorah’ to the attendees of the 243rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Eighty-seven-year-old Sgt. (E4) Donald L. Clough, of Wesley Chapel — the oldest Marine in the detachment — couldn’t wait to taste the birthday cake, while the youngest Marine in the detachment, 30-year-old Eric Templeton, right, of Tampa, is introduced during the cake-eating tradition.
Commandant L. David Kirk presents a certificate to his wife, Gloria Sue Kirk after being named, the group’s Associate of the Year. The two have been married for 41 years.
Norman McAleney was a guest at the Marines’ 243rd Birthday Party at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant. McAleney, a newcomer to Hudson, is a member of the Glen Cove, New York Dan Daly Globe & Anchor Detachment of the Marines.
After arriving at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, Harold H. Howard Jr., of Wesley Chapel, left, gets some assistance with his tie from fellow veteran Bill Montgomery, of New Port Richey. Howard served as a corporal in the Korean war, from 1950 to 1952. Montgomery served as a lance corporal in Vietnam. Sonia Pinciotti, of Tampa, offers her assistance.

 

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Harbor Terrace Restaurant, Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, Marine Corps League of Lutz/Land O' Lakes, Marine Forever Detachment 1440, Robert B. Neller, U.S. Marine Corps

Baldomero Lopez was more than a local hero

June 6, 2018 By B.C. Manion

When motorists drive past the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, chances are they won’t know much about the history of the man for whom the facility is named.

That’s where Bill Dotterer comes in.

This iconic image was taken of 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez leading troops in an invasion at Inchon during the Korean War. Lopez died minutes after the photo was taken.
(Bill Dotterer)

He’s a volunteer with the Tampa Bay History Center and he shared the story of 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez’s life and his heroic actions during a talk earlier this year at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library. The history center and library jointly presented the free program.

Lopez may not be widely known in many circles, but he is in the U.S. Marine Corps, Dotterer said.

“Lopez is a very important person in Tampa Bay’s history,” the speaker added, noting Lopez was the first person who grew up in Tampa to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Dotterer shared details of Lopez’s early years.

Lopez grew up during a time when Ybor City and West Tampa were vibrant places, with a thriving cigar industry, with people living there who had come from Spain, Cuba, Italy and Sicily, Dotterer said. There were social clubs, baseball teams and dominoes, he noted, and Lopez grew up in that milieu.

“In the neighborhood where he lived, he was well known as a baseball player. He had a paper route. He was just an All-American kid,” Dotterer said.

Lopez also was interested in the military.

He attended Hillsborough High School, where he was in charge of the ROTC program. He marched in the Gasparilla Parade one year, leading all of the junior ROTC units, Dotterer said.

Baldomero Lopez
Company A, 1st Battalion
5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Born: Aug, 23, 1925
Died: Sept. 15, 1950

The speaker noted that much of his talk was based on information he gleaned from a conversation he had with E.J. Salcines, a former judge and noted Tampa historian.

Lopez was third in his class when he graduated from Hillsborough High in 1943. He decided to enlist in the Navy, Dotterer said.

Initially, Lopez was sent to Quantico, Virginia, but he was pulled from that program and sent to Annapolis for an officer training program, Dotterer added. Next, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, as a second lieutenant.

By then, it was 1947 and the war had ended.

Lopez was sent to China, to lead a mortar platoon, and after that, he returned to Camp Pendleton, where he received orders to become an instructor at the Basic School in Quantico, Dotterer said.

Lopez was still at Pendleton when the Korean War broke out and his unit was assigned to go overseas, Dotterer said. Lopez wanted to go with them.

Dotterer then shared this account, which he said came from Salcines.

Lopez was a on a train, heading from California to Virginia, Dotterer said.

“Every place that the train stopped, he got off and called and said, ‘Please change my orders. I want to go with my unit.’

“When he finally gets to Quantico, they say, ‘OK, you can rejoin your unit.’,” Dotterer said.

Lopez heads back to California, but at that point, his unit is already gone. Somehow, he catches up with them, across the Pacific, Dotterer continued.

The Korean War began when the North Koreans attacked south of this 38th parallel, which is what divides North Korea and South Korea, Dotterer said.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the head commander of allied forces in Korea, and he decided to take back Seoul, Dotterer said.

The invasion is made at Inchon Harbor, near Seoul.

It wasn’t an ideal place to invade because it had the third-highest tides in the world, going from zero to 40 feet in a day. It also had 40-foot seawalls around it, which the Marines had to build ladders to scale, Dotterer said.

“The anchorage, itself, where all of the ships would end up for the invasion, was pretty small. It was pretty tight to get in there,” he added.

At the same time, however, the limiting factors at Inchon also may have made it a good place to invade because the enemy would never expect it, he said.

Lopez demonstrated courage
Lopez, who was 25, was on one of the landing ships.

Before the invasion, he wrote his parents a final letter, not knowing it would be his final letter, Dotterer said.

“Basically, he said, ‘Hey, I chose to do this, so if anything happens, I decided I wanted to be a Marine officer, so here I am. Secondly, please send me some good cigars.’

“On Sept. 15, the invasion begins. He is with Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, and they’re going into Red Beach,” Dotterer said.

This historic marker in downtown Tampa commemorates the heroic actions that 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez took during the Korean War.
(B.C. Manion)

There were two hills, which meant the enemy was at the top of the hill shooting down.

An iconic photograph, taken during the invasion, shows Lopez leading his troops up a wooden ladder over the seawall, Dotterer said.

“Sad to say, this is minutes before he is killed. He’s leading his troops over the seawall. There’s a machine-gun, automatic type position here, that they are trying to take out.

“He had actually pulled a pin on a grenade to throw it into the pill box,” Dotterer said.

Instead, “he gets hit with automatic weapon fire. One in the shoulder. One in the abdomen or chest. He’s shot down. That grenade has the pin out.”

Within seconds, Lopez decided to save his troops. He scooped the grenade under his body.

“He took the full brunt of the grenade in the explosion. His troops were essentially saved. They went on to take that pillbox,” Dotterer said.

Since then, Lopez has been honored in various ways.

There’s a historic marker commemorating Lopez’s heroics in downtown Tampa and there’s a memorial for him at Hillsborough High School. There’s a public elementary school named after him in Seffner and there’s a memorial to Lopez at Veterans Memorial Park.

In 2012, the Tampa Bay History Center received a Korean War Veterans Medal on behalf of Lopez, presented by Jong-Hoon Kim, a member of the 19th National Assembly and Chair of the International Relations Committee, Saenuri Party. Kim was accompanied by Choi Young-Jin, the Korean Ambassador to the United Nations and other Korean Dignitaries.

Additionally, there’s Lopez Hall at the Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, a dining facility that was dedicated in 2013, and there’s a navy ship named in his honor.

And, the Marine Corps Association and Foundation, (MCA&F), bestows The Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award to the Marine of each graduating company from the Basic School who demonstrates the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps.

In essence, Dotterer said, “he was an amazing hero.”

Published June 6, 2018

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: 19th National Assembly, All-American, Annapolis, Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, Basic School, Bill Dotterer, California, Camp Pendleton, Chair of the International Relations Committee, China, Company A, Congressional Medal of Honor, Cuba, E.J. Salcines, Fifth Marines, First Battalion, Gasparilla Parade, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Hillsborough High School, Inchon Harbor, Italy, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, Jong-Hoon Kim, Korean Ambassador, Korean Dignitaries, Korean War, Korean War Veterans Medal, Lopez Hall at the Basic School, Lt. Baldomero Lopez, Marine Corps Association Foundation, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Navy, Pacific, Quantico, Red Beach, ROTC, Saenuri Party, Seffner, Seoul, Sicily, Spain, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay History Center, The Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award, U.S. Marine Corps, United Nations, Veterans Memorial Park, Virginia, West Tampa, Ybor City

Respecting ‘Old Glory’ throughout the year

June 14, 2017 By B.C. Manion

While the nation sets aside June 14 to celebrate Flag Day, a local group of U.S. Marine Corps veterans wants to honor local residents and business owners who respect Old Glory every day of the year.

The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has established the American Patriot Award to do just that.

A local group wants to honor residents and businesses who fly Old Glory all year long, not just for special occasions such as Flag Day, June 14, Memorial Day or Veterans Day. The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has established the American Patriot Award to show appreciation to those who truly respect Old Glory. (File)

The group, which meets in Land O’ Lakes, recognizes that it takes time and care to properly maintain the flag, and it already has bestowed awards to selected individuals and business owners in northern Hillsborough County and Central Pasco County.

The award goes to the business or resident/homeowner displaying the American Flag in new or like-new condition and must be visible, day or night.

So far, more than 100 awards have been presented, said L. David Kirk, the detachment’s commandant.

“We’re getting such reception from this, you won’t believe it,” Kirk said.

He said he received a call from an Army veteran in Land O’ Lakes who said the award “lifted his spirits” and that a widow of a veteran who lives in Oakstead broke into tears when she received the award.

“The businesses like it, too. They’ve been flying a flag all along, religiously,” Kirk said. They appreciate the recognition.

To nominate your business or residence for an award, send your request to .

To find out more about the group, call L. David Kirk at (813) 956-2469.

To see a list of the recipients, visit Marine4Ever.com, or check the organization’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MarineForeverDetachment1440MarineCorpsLeague.

NOTE:
Flag day was established officially by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916, according to the website USFlag.org.

Although Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it wasn’t until Aug. 3, 1949 that President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

Published June 14, 2017

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Flag Day, L. David Kirk, Land O' Lakes, Marine Forever Detachment 1440, U.S. Marine Corps

Making life easier for local Marines

June 22, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Seventy-seven-year-old L. David Kirk lives by the U.S. Marine Corps’ motto, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

He served in the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1964, completing two tours of duty in the Mediterranean, two tours of duty in Okinawa, and serving in Southeast Asia and California, as well.

“It was the best eight years I ever spent, because it took me from teenager to man,” said the retired Lutz business man. “I can never thank the Marine Corps more, for giving me the discipline to make it where I am today.”

L. David Kirk, of Lutz, is spearheading an effort to establish a Marine Corps League Detachment in Land O’ Lakes. He wants to make it more convenient for those who are serving and those who have served to get involved in the league’s activities. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
L. David Kirk, of Lutz, is spearheading an effort to establish a Marine Corps League Detachment in Land O’ Lakes. He wants to make it more convenient for those who are serving and those who have served to get involved in the league’s activities.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Even though he completed his service more than half-century ago, Kirk’s fidelity to the U.S. Marine Corps remains robust.

“Three years ago, two other Marines and myself, and our wives, we got together and we thought it would be a good idea if we started a Marine group in Land O’ Lakes,” Kirk said.

That group, named Marine Forever Veterans Group LLC, meets on Monday evenings at the Beef O’ Brady’s in the Village Lakes Shopping Center, 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. The shopping center is on the north side of State Road 54, slightly east of U.S. 41.

Kirk now is accepting applications from those wishing to join a new Marine Corps League Detachment that likely would meet at the same Beef O’ Brady’s restaurant.

The league is open to active duty, reserve and honorable discharged veterans of Marine Corps and Navy FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains who live in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Odessa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas.

There’s a need for the new detachment because there isn’t one nearby, Kirk said.

“We’ve got Marines here that travel 15 and 20 miles to belong to the League. Think how many more that would join, if they didn’t have to travel that far. And, there’s a lot of Marines that live in this area.”

Besides being more convenient, it would be less expensive to attend meetings in Land O’ Lakes, because it wouldn’t take as much gas to get to meetings, Kirk added.

To launch a new charter, the group needs at least 20 members that do not belong to an existing detachment, Kirk said. Once the new detachment is established, existing league members can transfer, he added.

A meeting has been scheduled for June 25 at 2 p.m., at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, in the Village Lakes Shopping Center, to answer questions about the proposed new detachment, the annual dues, uniforms, meeting dates, mission of the group and so on.

Anyone who would qualify to join and would like more information is encouraged to attend, said Kirk, past commandant of the Angus R. Goss Detachment in Tampa.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by World War I hero Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune, and its congressional charter was approved by an act of the 75th Congress, which was signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aug. 4, 1937.

The league’s mission calls for its members to “join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps and those that have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideas of American freedom and democracy.”

The league’s mission also calls for “voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows, and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.”

Kirk said he’s confident that a new detachment will be formed, noting he already has commitments from 10 potential members. But, he would like to form this new detachment as soon as possible.

For more information on becoming a charter member of the new detachment and to receive updates on upcoming meetings, email Kirk at .

For more information about the Marine Corps League, visit http://mclnational.org//

For more information about Marine Forever Veteran Group, LLC, visit Marine4Ever.com

and Facebook.com/MarineForeverVeteransGroup.

Published June 22, 2016

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, Lutz News Tagged With: Angus R. Goss Detachment, Beef O' Brady's, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John A. Lejeune, L. David Kirk, Lutz, Marine Forever Veterans Group, State Road 54, U.S. 41, U.S. Marine Corps, Village Lakes Shopping Center, Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive

North Tampa Behavioral Health set to expand

March 9, 2016 By B.C. Manion

North Tampa Behavioral Health is preparing to embark on a $9 million expansion, with 24 additional beds expected to open in January 2017 and another 24 beds to open a year later.

The center, at 29910 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, opened on Oct. 1, 2013. It has 75 beds and offers services for people with mental health needs including depression, addiction, anxiety, bipolar, psychosis, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other disorders. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.

North Tampa Behavioral Health offers acute mental health care and longer-term treatment. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
North Tampa Behavioral Health offers acute mental health care and longer-term treatment. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The majority of the center’s patients come from Pasco and Hillsborough counties, but the facility also draws patients from 11 counties, and from out-of-state, said Abbey Brown, director of business development for the facility, which is owned by Acadia Healthcare.

The first phase of the expansion will enlarge the center’s military program, which goes by the acronym C.O.R.E., which stands for Challenge, Overcome, Restore and Empower.

No decision has been made yet about how the other 24 beds will be used, said Jameson Norton, CEO of the facility.

The center has 175 employees in its 24/7 operation, and expects to add 50 more, said Norton, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The military program that is being expanded is geared to the mental health needs of veterans and active members of the military, Brown said.

It’s a program the facility has built from the ground up, said Brown, who is a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

“It’s a very different, unique population, with a very different and unique set of needs. Their (post-traumatic stress disorder), or depression or substance abuse might look very different than the normal civilian who hasn’t had the same experience. It just makes them different,” Brown said.

Jameson Norton, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health, said the facility is planning to launch a $9 million expansion, which will include 48 beds. (Courtesy of North Tampa Behavioral Health)
Jameson Norton, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health, said the facility is planning to launch a $9 million expansion, which will include 48 beds.
(Courtesy of North Tampa Behavioral Health)

“All of us have military experience, but not only military experience, but military mental health experience,” Brown said. “We’re able to offer an amazing structure, and then within that structure, tailor the program to the individual and their needs.

“We are partnering with all of the local installations, a lot of the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), and other local installations, and we also get referrals nationwide,” she said.

“We are using all of the modalities,” Brown added, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and/or accelerated resolution therapy.

“We’re using all of the ones that the Department of Defense is saying are the best practices,” Brown said.

The center provides treatment for patients 18 and older. It is organized into three units. One unit treats patients who need a higher level of acute care. Another unit focuses more on mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The third unit focuses on longer-term patients. Some are in the facility’s 28-day substance abuse program, and others are in the C.O.R.E. program, Brown said. Patients in the military program tend to stay 30 to 90 days.

Besides providing care for patients, the center also wants to be a community resource, Brown said.

It has an internship program involving 15 students who are attending Saint Leo University or Pasco-Hernando State College, Brown said.

The center is also planning to offer more continuing education courses to area professionals.

“All of the administrators here have moved from somewhere, so they have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and we want to bring that to the community. We’re building, as part of this, a state-of-the-art teaching area, so people will be able to come in, and we’ll offer different CEU (Continuing Education Unit) trainings, different community events,” Brown said.

The facility also aims to help raise awareness and increase understanding about mental health issues, both Brown and Norton said.

“We all probably have a friend or a family member who are very affected by a mental health condition. It really takes that team effort to make sure that we can provide the best care possible,” Norton said.

Published March 9, 2016

Filed Under: Health, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Abbey Brown, Acadia Healthcare, Department of Defense, Jameson Norton, North Tampa Behavioral Health, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, State Road 56, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Marine Corps, Wesley Chapel

Giving thanks with a grateful heart

November 26, 2014 By Diane Kortus

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives.

This past year has been particularly joyful for me, both professionally and personally.

Since this newspaper is such a big part of my life, I want to share with you the top 10 reasons Thanksgiving is especially meaningful to me this year.

Our readers
I want to thank all of the readers of The Laker/Lutz News for embracing our new, bigger size. We took a leap of faith in August, changing our format to match the size of most daily newspapers.

Besides becoming 30 percent bigger overnight, we added a B section to give us a second front page, and to organize our classified products.

I confess I was more than a bit nervous about making such a significant change and taking on the additional expenses that came along with it. But taking risks comes with ownership, and it’s the only way to grow.

Four months into this change, we continue to receive positive comments — almost daily — about our new size.

My staff
A huge thank you goes to my staff of 12. I am ever so thankful to this group of professionals who meet challenging deadlines every week.

Think about it: How many business owners ask their staff to create a brand new product every week? But this is what my staff does — writing stories, taking pictures, selling and creating ads, and then putting it all together to fill typically 24 very big pages of stories and advertisements.

This requires an unbelievable amount of talent, commitment and hard work. Our staff box on Page 3A does not begin to give my employees enough recognition for the work they to do to bring you one of the best community newspapers in the state. 

Our advertisers
The newspaper we produce each week is possible because of the support we receive from our advertisers. They recognize that we offer an excellent vehicle to let patrons know about the services and products they offer.

My son Andy’s safe return
My son, Andrew Mathes, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, returned home at the end of May after seven months in Afghanistan. There is no greater gratitude that a mother can have than knowing her child is away from harm’s way.

Andy and Erin’s renewed wedding vows
Andy and his wife Erin, who were married a week before Andy’s deployment last November, renewed their wedding vows a year later — on Nov. 8 — at the church where Erin grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Only nine family members were present when Andy and Erin married in a military chapel in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. When they renewed their vows, more than 150 family and friends traveled from across the country to be there.

My nine brothers and sisters
I am grateful, always, for my nine brothers and sisters. But it was especially touching to see all of them at Andy’s and Erin’s renewal of vows.

Most of my family lives in Minnesota — a five- to six-hour drive to Appleton. But they were all there, as were many of Andy’s cousins, despite an approaching winter storm and the fact that the wedding was on the same day as opening of deer hunting season in Minnesota.

My daughter Rachel’s graduation and new job
My beautiful daughter, Rachel Mathes, graduated from Stetson University in May and is working as an art teacher in Jacksonville. It’s hard to say whether I’m more grateful for Rachel graduating from college in four years and landing a job in her field, or for the fact that I am no longer paying tuition.

When Rachel was born I felt so blessed to have a daughter, and that gratitude deepens with each passing year. I only wish that Jacksonville was closer to Land O’ Lakes so we could see each other more often.

My father, Don Kortus
Dad will be 86 in February, and his love for his family — which consists of more than 45 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren — holds us all together.

I am thankful for Dad’s wisdom, good health, sharp mind, and unwavering support for me.

Jonas
Jonas, my 9-year-Airedale terrier, is a cancer survivor, and I am thankful he will be my companion for many more years.

After being diagnosed with cancer in August 2013, his prognosis was poor because dogs with his type of cancer rarely live longer than a few months.

But after having a tumor on his spleen removed, he recovered so well that he underwent chemotherapy and is now in remission.

Vic Anthony
Finally, I am thankful for finding love the second time around.

When I opened my heart to love again, I met Vic Anthony, who has had my back these past three years. Sharing with Vic the pleasures and challenges of my family, my business, and my dog Jonas, has renewed my spirit and brought me much happiness.

See this story in print: Click Here

Filed Under: Commentary, Local News Tagged With: Afghanistan, Andrew Mathes, Appleton, Camp Lejeune, Don Kortus, Erin Mathes, Jacksonville, Jonas, Land O' Lakes, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rachel Mathes, Stetson University, Thanksgiving, U.S. Marine Corps, Vic Anthony, Wisconsin

In Print: Something funny happening at Beef’s?

November 19, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Football and hockey might be the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think of Beef O’Brady’s. But comedy? That might be something new.

Yet, the Beef’s at 7040 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is welcoming comedians to the sports-themed restaurant once a month. And coming up Nov. 21 is a teacher-turned-jokester from Pinellas County, Mike Rivera.

Rivera’s comedy fits with Beef O’Brady’s desire to put on a show that is adult-oriented, but not vulgar. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Rivera’s comedy fits with Beef O’Brady’s desire to put on a show that is adult-oriented, but not vulgar. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“There’s nobody else who has a comedy show in the area,” Beef’s general manager Mike Connor told reporter Michael Murillo. “We just thought this was something different.”

The show begins at 9 p.m., to allow a more adult audience to enjoy Rivera’s humor. But if anyone is expecting to hear material that would make many people blush, it’s not part of what Connor is trying to do at Beef’s.

“Dropping the f-bomb every other word is not funny,” Connor added.

Get all the details about how Beef O’Brady’s is turning to comedy in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available on newsstands and driveways right now, or for free in our online e-edition by clicking here.

Getting to Beef’s might be a little easier for residents living in the Silver Lakes community after learning a developer wanting to build more than 100 homes near the shores of Curve Lake is changing that community’s main entrance.

Southern Crafted Homes had originally looked to use the small and quite rural Fletch Road as the main entrance to Pristine Lakes, forcing residents there to travel through a small community to Barcellona Road to finally get to Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. This was not a popular idea by residents who lived along those roads, including Bobbi Smith, who had pushed for developers to acquire enough land to move the entrance to Ehren Cutoff.

That wish appears to be granted, with developers proposing to do just that.

“All we wanted was for the traffic to go a different way,” Smith told reporter Michael Hinman. “That’s the answer to everybody’s concern.”

Yet, Smith might not be ready to take a breath quite yet. Pristine Lakes wants to still use Fletch Road as an emergency entrance. What does she think of that? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker, available right now. Or read it right here online for free in our e-edition by clicking here.

Wiregrass Ranch High School students might be looking at a bit of a longer day soon. School officials need to deal with some overcrowding issues on campus, and one way to do that is through a 10-period school day.

“While that seems to be the most feasible and logical solution right now, we have stayed open to other possibilities,” school principal Robyn White told reporter B.C. Manion. “We have looked at every suggestion that anybody has given. So far, we haven’t come up with anything better.”

Wiregrass Ranch was built for an enrollment of 1,633, but currently has 2,333 students in the hallways and in 30 portable classrooms. It is expected to have as many as 2,500 students by the time next fall rolls around.

How would the 10-period day work? Find out in this week’s Wesley Chapel print edition of The Laker. Or read it online right now in our free e-edition by clicking here.

And finally, photojournalist Fred Bellet has some great pictures to share from the U.S. Marine Corps birthday celebration at Harbor Terrace Restaurant at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club. See it online by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Filed Under: Top Story, Updates Tagged With: B.C. Manion, Barcellona Road, Beef O'Brady's, Bobbi Smith, Curve Lake, Ehren Cutoff, Fletch Road, Fred Bellet, Harbor Terrace Restaurant, Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, Hillsborough County, Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Michael Hinman, Michael Murillo, Mike Connor, Mike Rivera, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Pristine Lakes, Robyn White, Silver Lakes, Southern Crafted Homes, U.S. Marine Corps, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch High School

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01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Into the Interstellar Unknown” on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Natalia Guerreo will present the latest news from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA TESS Mission. The program is for teens and adults. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Stroke of Genius” on Jan. 27. This virtual craft includes an instructional slide show on how to draw Zentangles. View the post, available all day, on the South Holiday Library’s Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Zentangles

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The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual craft for toddlers on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to make a paper plate shark. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer a craft kit for adults on Feb. 1, all day. Pick up a kit, while supplies last, to learn to make a yarn heart. For information, call 352-567-3576. … [Read More...] about 02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

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