Veterans were recognized in a special way at the Veterans Day ceremony at the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio on Nov. 11.
More than a dozen surviving World War II veterans were recognized and celebrated at the ceremony.
“Veterans Day is something we don’t want to forget,” said John Benvengo, the ceremony’s organizer.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)
The event featured a number of speakers, including Brig. Gen. Sean Jenkins, who’s stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Speaking to an audience of more than 100 invited guests, Jenkins highlighted the importance of continually honoring “those who sacrifice their own lives for our country.”
He noted: “We must not forget the actions of those that have served. Their commitment to duty has made our nation safer in the world of new dangers. Their actions have also upheld the ideals of America’s founding.”
It’s equally imperative, Jenkins said, to honor the families and caregivers of veterans.
“Without them, there would be fewer veterans walking amongst us today,” Jenkins said, describing veterans as “the unknown heroes walking among us.”
Veterans serve as a symbol for “courage, decency and hope,” he added.
Jenkins also pointed to the importance of ensuring the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) “takes care of those that have served.”
“We’re losing too many heroes,” he said, “Not just because of age, but because of the loss of hope.”
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, another guest speaker, said his No. 1 priority is to assist veterans.
He criticized the VA, characterizing it as “confusing bureaucracy” that has a “general lack of communication and transparency.
“I believe this agency is in some serious need of culture change,” said Bilirakis, who serves as vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
He continued: “Our veterans have done their duty and kept their promise to protect our nation. It is now up to us to fulfill our promise to them and remain committed to honoring their service.”
Within the past three years, Bilirakis has introduced two pieces of legislation (COVER Act, PROMISE Act) to help veterans get better access to primary medical care and to address the prevalence of mental health issues amongst veterans. Both have since become laws.
“There is much more work to be done. Our congress must come together on these issues in a bipartisan fashion,” he said.
Bilirakis noted the next step in helping veterans is offering supplementary assistance through additional workforce, housing and education programs.
Said Bilirakis: “The military spends six to 12 months preparing soldiers for their assignments, and yet, we only spend three to five days to help them reintegrate into civilian life. That’s unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, the congressman commended veterans for their “altruism and patriotism.
“They’re very, very special people,” he said. “They represent the best of this great country.”
He added: “We would not be the nation we are today without those who served.”
The ceremony also featured comments from State Rep. Danny Burgess, R-San Antonio.
Burgess, who’s also a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate, said veterans “exemplify what service is all about.”
The state representative added that seeing veterans inspired him to join the military: “They are the reason that I decided to wear the uniform and serve.”
Published November 16, 2016
