When war broke out in Europe and Asia in the 1940s, Pasco County was nothing more than a small farming and citrus group of communities.
(File Photo)
But the people loved their country, and showed it by signing up and heading to war. In fact, one in eight Pasco residents would serve in the military during World War II, including Frank Ashbrook, the father-in-law to Pasco County commissioner Ted Schrader.
“He was captured during the invasion of Normandy, and spent 18 months in a prisoner war camp in Germany,” Schrader said.
Ashbrook’s name is one of 1,855 county residents listed on the Pasco County World War II Memorial at the Historic Dade City Courthouse. This weekend will mark the 60th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication, and Schrader will lead a rededication ceremony June 14 that will include the official unveiling of a new, more permanent granite memorial.
The granite slabs replace the original wood panels that have deteriorated significantly since the memorial’s first dedication in 1954.
“The courthouse is where my office is, and I would come in every day to hear we had some vandalism or a skateboarder hit it, and we had to call (the facilities department) to come and make the necessary repairs,” Schrader said. “It was really just that it was time we did something different.”
Schrader reached out to then assistant county administrator Dan Johnson, and they were able to secure seed money of $25,000 from Pasco County officials, and another $15,000 from Dade City. The rest of the $40,000 cost would be made up from private donations that Johnson would gather.
In the end, however, the memorial cost less than the estimate, and the final price tag was an even split between public money and private donations.
The rededication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday in front of the courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City. Schrader will emcee the event, and will be join by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, who will present a special flag.
Of all the people who served, a vast majority of them did return home, including Ashbrook. Just under 40 soldiers from Pasco County died in the line of duty.
However, seven decades is a long time, and many of the returning veterans from World War II have been lost over the years.
“Unfortunately, they are reaching an age where they are not going to be with us much longer,” Schrader said. “It was important for those who are still alive and for their family members that we make sure this memorial is here forever.”
Joining Schrader in the bandstand the memorial adorns are Florian Gude and Stanley Burnside. Both have their names on the wall, and still live in the area.
“I think Florian just turned 90,” Schrader said. “It’s really gratifying to be able to commemorate their service and reflect back on the sacrifices they made for our country.”
WHAT: Rededication of Pasco County World War II Memorial
WHEN: June 14 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Historic Dade City Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City
COST: Free
INFO: PascoCountyFl.net
Published June 11, 2014
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