PEARL HARBOR DAY
| Pearl Harbor Day - Monday 12/7/2009 at 1:30 pm at the Island Club "Walk of Honor" featured the Lexington Veterans Color/Honor Guard & Silent Rifle Drill Team; Alex Alexandro singing "I Believe" and "God Bless America"; and Main Speaker Ed Unser, Korea & Vietnam Air Force Veteran awarded the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and Air Medal with 17 clusters and an historian and writer for the News-Press, talked of his experiences as a pilot in Vietnam and tied Pearl Harbor into the discussion and the Lone Piper, George Cook played "Scotland, the Brave" for the march in and out and "Amazing Grace". Cookies and soft drinks followed at the Social Center of the Island Club. (Photos by Howard Miller & Ned Shepard) |
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| Main Speaker Ed Unser, Commander Ruff & two Marines from Recruiting Station | Piping in the Honor Guard | At Present Arms during National Anthem | |
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| Piper George Cook playing "Amazing Grace" | Saluting the flag as it is brought to half staff | Audience | |
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| Commander Ruff giving opening remarks | Silent Rifle Drill Team lead by James Antonic | Alex singing "I Believe" | |
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| Main Speaker Ed Unser | Flag a t half staff | Chaplain Paul Tenenbaum delivers Prayer | |
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| Woman helping her WWII Veteran to a seat | Unser speaking |
VETERANS DAY
| The weather cooperated to give us an inspiring Veterans Day Ceremony - Thursday 11/11/2009 at the Flagpole in front of the Main Clubhouse featuring the Lexington Veterans Color/Honor Guard; The nationally acclaimed Fort Myers High School "Green Wave" Drum Line; Members of the Cape Coral Elementary School Choir; Main speaker Capt John "Giddyup" Bunch, Marine Corps Veteran of Vietnam and founder of the "Operation Open Arms". ( Photos by Howard Miller, Ned Shepard & Dave Capel) |
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| LVA Color/Honor Guard | Commander Ruff and Sgt. Ben Polk flanking Marine Corps Sgt Joan Wallace | The Fort Myers High School "Green Wave" Drum Line |
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| Cape Coral Choir Director Dorothy Graham & four of her students singing the National Anthem | LVA presents a check to Operation Open Arms for $500 | Past National Commander Combat Infantrymen Association Jack Wagner with Commander Ruff & Honor Guard Captain Rich Hill |
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| The Pledge of Allegiance | Chaplain Paul Tenenbaum giving prayer | |
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| Commander Ruff's Opening Remarks | Flagmen Ratliff and Kuznicki | Rifle Inspection led by Sgt Polk and Honor Guard Captain Rich Hill |
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| Close Arms Inspection | LCA President and Marine Corps Veteran Lou DeAngelis | Cape Coral Elementary Singer Carlos Torres sings "We Honor Those Who Served" |
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| USMC Sgt Ben Polk Introducing Main Speaker | Main Speaker Captain John "Giddyup" Bunch - Operation Open Arms & USMC Vietnam Veteran | The "Missing Man" Table - a display at every ceremony |
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| Green Wave Drum Line Performing | Cape Coral Elementary Soloist Patricia Barrios singing " We Are Proud Of Our Veterans" | Sister and Brother Duo Kimberly & Tim Brett performing |
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| LVA Rifle Drill Team | Retiring the Colors | Kids from a nearby church attended the ceremony |
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| Commander Ruff & Past Commander Hill posing with Military personnel | LVA Honor Guard with speakers and military personnel | Captain "Giddyup" posing with Military personnel |
MEMORIAL DAY
| The Memorial Day
Ceremony was held at the Main Clubhouse on Monday, May 25, 2009 at
10:30am . Many, many people have told us that this was clearly the best
ever Memorial Day Ceremony. Lexington experienced a huge crowd both
outside under the canopy and inside for the luncheon. We had 163 people
for lunch (a record for us) and around 400 people in attendance at the
outside ceremony. The day
featured the Veterans Color/Honor Guard and the Lee County Pipes & Drums
plus special music, featuring three singers, Julia Kaye, 12 year old
granddaughter of Howard & Fran Miller, who opened with the Star Spangled
Banner and singer Michael Hurley, grandson of Rich & Monica Hill, sang
two songs, "After You Go", a tribute to all veterans and "To Where You
Are" at the outside ceremony. Michael has appeared at Lexington a
couple of times in the past. Lexington's own Alex Alexandro again
orchestrated the music program and sang "God Bless the USA". 56
deceased Lexington Veterans were honored in a Flanders Field ceremony.
The main speaker Jack Wagner, Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran and Past
National Commander of the Combat Infantrymen Association and one of the
key veterans on the Pride & Patriotism Event Committee in Lee County
paid tribute to all veterans. We also heard from the 2009 Edison State
College essay winner of "Freedom Is Not Free", Chanae Jamison, who
received a $500 scholarship from the LVA and LCA President Lou
DeAngelis, a Marine Corps veteran and LCA GM Al Kinkle. Luncheon
followed, with special guest singer Michael Hurley who unveiled his new
video for the LVA, along with recognition of departing Honor Guard
member Frank Burlingham and his wife Lois and the first ever award of
"Distinguished LVA Member" to Yong Chol Ahn, deceased, accepted by his
widow, Eleonore Ahn. This entire day was led by our Commander Ron Ruff.
(Photos by Howard Miller & Dave
Capel) |
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| LVA Color/Honor Guard | Commander Ron Ruff saluting as the American Flag passes by | 12 year old Julia Kaye singing the National Anthem |
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| Color/Honor Guard at Parade Rest | Michael Hurley sings "After You Go" in honor of veterans | Navy & Marine Recruiters place Memorial Wreath |
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| Flag Detail executes the famous 12 folds | Chanae Jamison recites her "Freedom Is Not Free" winning Essay | Edison State College student Ms Jamison receiving $500 scholarship |
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| Lee County Pipes & Drums ready to march in | Twice wounded Vietnam Veteran Jack Wagner - Main Speaker-Past National Commander of the Combat Infantryman Association | LCA President & Marine Corps Veteran Lou DeAngelis delivers a few words |
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| Wagner receives first ever LVA "Honorary Membership" from Commander Ruff | Alex sings "God Bless the USA" honoring Vietnam Vets | LVA's Flanders Field houses 56 crosses & Stars of David & Memorial Wreath |
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| HG Captain Rich Hill inspects Rifleman Antonic's piece | Flagmen Frank Burlingham & Ken Taylor | Largest crowd ever pay tribute to veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice |
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| Wagner's three buddies who are members of the Combat Infantryman Association | Another CBI Veteran | Another view of the large crowd that extended well beyond the sun shade |
VETERANS SOCIAL OUTING
| For the second year in a row the LVA held a fun, season ending Social Outing at the Island Club on Friday evening, April 17, 2009. Headlining the fun evening was our Music Man Alex Alexandro who did everything from sing to DJ to feeding the Karaoke frenzy. Plenty of beer and a lush potluck dinner fed by a weather perfect evening. |
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| Alex the singer, DJ and Karaoke Director | The Polk's and the Passini's | The Ratliff's & the Burlingham's plus 1/2 of Ben |
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| Look at the smiles on Brownie & Marilyn's faces...come on Ron | Jay and Shay Burgess | The Klein's licking their chops |
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| Monica and Bernie talking with | Rosemary and Shirley | Eleonore and |
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| The two Army brats - James & George | Commander with the Gunderson's | The Kleinsmith's |
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| Navy vs Army...what a sound! | These guys dominated the scene | Rich & Monica singing up a storm...or was that a hurricane? |
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| Antonic and Hyers having a serious? conversation | The Ratliff's | The Gass' & the Kaleel's |
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| Commander Ron & the Music Director | The Hyers | The Miller's |
VETERANS BALL
| Saturday evening February 28, 2009 at 6:00 pm was the kickoff of the Lexington Veterans Annual Ball in the Vista Room. As you parked in the parking and got out of your cars you heard the eerie sounds of the Piper and you knew you were in the right place. Check in and cocktails and some yummy appetizers and then at 6:45pm came those eerie sounds of Piper George Cook as led the Veteran Officers and current Military in a march in. The Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and the Armed Forces Medley plus a few words from Commander Ruff before dinner. Double Dare took over for some dinner music before the dance scene began after dinner. As before in past years, it again was a gala affair. Conducted by Vice Commander Paul Tenenbaum the big raffle drawing occurred for the $1000, $750 and $500 saving bonds. The $1000 winner was none other then Coast Guard Veteran Ned Sheppard who graciously gave his earnings back to the fund raising drive for the TBI Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Second place winner was Robert Pawlecki and third place was John Minkiewcz. (Photos by Ned Sheppard and Howard Miller) |
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Lexington Veterans Officers |
Our three current Military Guests - Navy Coast Guard & Marine Corps |
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Coast Guard Petty Officer Townsend and fiance' Brandy |
Table 1 - Looks pretty swabby - as in sailor - to me
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Table 2- Semper Fi and I recognize one Army Combat Infantry Badge recipient and the parents of another. |
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Ned and Donna Sheppard dancing up a storm
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Table 3 - There's Jake
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Commander Ruff looking as HG Captain Rich Hill pins the Honor Guard medal on Peter Prichard OBE |
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Table 4 - All looking at table blank...what's going on? |
Table 5 - All smile now! |
Mary and George Schippereit enjoying the dessert |
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1st Lt. Jim Brookover's parents - Wendy and Jim Brookover. 1st Lt. Brookover is the Platoon Leader in Iraq that is our Adopted Platoon for quarterly packages. |
Chef Paul and his good looking and great tasting dessert |
Look out Petty Officer Townsend |
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| Bernie, Mike and George. What are you guys up to? | Danielle, Eleonore, Ned & Donna, Mary & George | Dave & Diana, Stan & Floramae, Lois, Betty, Monica & Rich | |
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| Navy Chief Daryl Jenkins & wife Victoria | Marine Corps Staff Sgt Campbell and wife Joy | Coast Guard Petty Officer Ben Townsley & fiance' Brandy | |
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| Vice Commander Howard Miller and wife Fran | Marilyn Tenenbaum with the young-uns | Barbara & Bruce Swanson | |
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| Mike Muth & Ellin Martins | Joanne & John Nappi | The March In with Piper George Cook | |
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| A salty old Marine Mr. Ben and a young Marine Staff Sgt Campbell & their lovely wives - Millie & Joy | Ron and Helen dancing up a storm | All Navy personnel on deck | |
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| Two old Ohio buddies - Mac and Phil | Jake Kaleel and wife Marilyn | Poor Al - nobody will talk with him | |
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| OK George - is this a second proposal to Linda? | Fran & Helen - street neighbors | There are those Marines again - Semper Fi | |
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| The music of Double Dare | Rich Hill awarding Peter Prichard OBE the Honor Guard medal | Immediate Past Commander Ken Taylor and his wife Claire | |
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| Ken's Eagle awarded for his two years as Commander | The Semenek's and the Sterriker's & | Where are you going, Tom? | |
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| The Kaleel's and their friends, Tom Hastings & wife Kathy; Ken Frels & wife Donna | Jim & Wendy Brookover chatting with Claire Taylor | Liz says to Mac - "No, don't go there!" | |
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| I think I should know these two...at least, I had better! | That's right - Smile ya'll | OH! OH! looks like Claire is presiding over this table | |
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LVA Color/Honor Guard National
Anthem
