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INTRODUCTION PAGE
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"Let
every nation know, whether it
wishes us well or ill, that we
shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support
any friend, oppose any foe, to
assure the survival and success of
liberty." |
--(Inaugural
Address - John F. Kennedy -
January 20, 1961) |
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Welcome to our
Web Site honoring Armed Forces
Veterans living at Lexington
Country Club in Fort Myers,
Florida. The great majority comes
from all over the United States of
America, but a few are from other
nations in the world community.
Their period of service spans from
World War II through the Persian
Gulf War. Some enlisted, some were
drafted and some made the military
their career. Some endured brutal
combat, others served well in
vital support roles. All dedicated
themselves to one role: To
preserve and defend freedom from
tyranny wherever it arose. Be
thankful that we are a free
people, to be able to enjoy the
beauty of this GREAT land that
surrounds us all.
This Internet
Website is also dedicated to those
who made the ultimate sacrifice
for the good of free people
everywhere. There were a few
veterans who moved to Lexington to
live the good life and
unfortunately were taken from us
too soon. A special memorial page
honors them. Finally, we should
remember that behind every veteran
was a family who endured great
worry awaiting their safe return
home.
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Support our troops
in Iraq and Afghanistan |
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Lexington Residents
who have or have had relatives in either Iraq or Afghanistan
If you are a Lexington resident
& have relative(s) in either war zone please inform Rich Hill at rleehill@comcast.net
or Ron Ruff at
ruff202@comcast.net so they can be listed on this
web site
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IRAQ
VETERANS
Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Paul Austin, U.S. Army, son of Wedgewood resident Mariette
Present
Sgt. Thomas Ridge of the
82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army, grandson of Wedgewood
residents Al &
Sandy Stewart
Army
Capt. Tyler Lewison & his wife, Army Capt. Katrina Grier Lewison are
both Blackhawk pilots and graduates of West Point, nephew & niece of Waterford
residents Ernie
& Rae Smith
Army Staff Sgt. David Ott is on assignment as a Warrior Medic in
Al Ramadi, Iraq is the son of Southmont Cove
resident Alvin Ott
2nd Lt. Megan Beling, USMC, Intelligence Officer at Al Assad
Airbase in Iraq is the grand daughter of former Southmont Cove
residents Frank
& Lois Burlingham
Captain James C. Brookover of the 1st Brigade [Striker Brigade
Combat Team] 25th Infantry Division - 3rd tour is the son
of Sutton
Walk residents
Jim and
Wendy Brookover
CWO Gregg Seibert is an Apache Helicopter Pilot stationed with the
4th 3rd ACR operation and is the son-in-law of
Sutton
Walk residents
Jim and Wendy
Brookover
Army Captain Chuck Broy, MD.
He was stationed in Scania, Iraq as the OIC of the only
allied-forces pediatric burn clinic in the country is the son of Sommerset Villas
residents Larry &
Susan Broy
Marine Colonel John M.
Jansen, served three deployments as an FA-18 Navy Carrier pilot in
Iraq and is the son of Southmont Cove residents
Joe & Colleen
Jansen
AFGHANISTAN VETERANS
Major Morgan Polk,
USMC on special assignment to the Dept of Defense in Afghanistan is
the son of former Sommerset Villas residents
Ben and Millie Polk
CWO Gregg Seibert is an Apache Helicopter Pilot stationed with the
4th 3rd ACR operation and is the son-in-law of Sutton
Walk residents
Jim and Wendy
Brookover
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OUR SPECIAL
PROJECT FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO BENEFIT ACTIVE SERVICE PERSONNEL
THAT ARE DISABLED - WE ACCEPT DONATIONS THAT ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
- PLEASE WRITE CHECK PAYABLE TO THE LEXINGTON VETERANS
ASSOCIATION & DROP OFF AT MAIN CLUBHOUSE FRONT DESK - WE
THANK YOU!
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To
look at our Military Short Story Page
3 NEW ONES AS OF
MARCH 10, 2012
"WOMEN PILOTS"
"CALLING IN
NAVY FIRE AT HUNGNAM"
"CROSSES GLEAM
AS GENERAL SPEAKS OF MARINES HE LOST"
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UP
COMING EVENTS - Winter & Spring 2013
The Lexington Veterans Association is planning
several interesting events January to May
2013. Here is the
calendar.
SEASON'S EVENT DATES *
01-07-2013 -
Veterans Luncheon Meeting at 11:30 am in Vista Room -
Speaker Kim Gaide, Military Support Coordinator with the
Lee Memorial Health System. Since 2003, Mrs.
Gaide's Military Support organization has sent 43,000
pounds of care packages to our troops serving abroad,
and has provided care and assistance to over 1,900 local
troops and their families.
01-26-2013 -
All Lexington Veterans Ball at 6:00 pm in Vista Room -
Double Dare performing and special vocals from Doug
Renfroe
02-16-2013 -
Grand Edison Parade at 7:00 pm in downtown Fort Myers
03-11-2013 -
Veterans Luncheon Meeting at 11:30 am in Vista Room
03-29-2013 -
Veterans Social Outing at 6:00 pm at Island Club
05-27-2013 -
Memorial Day Event at 10:30 am at Main Clubhouse
Entrance - luncheon following
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The rationale behind "All Residents Invited" is to give
non-veteran residents an opportunity to better
understand the mission of the LVA and to become updated on the achievements of
military personnel that help keep our freedom intact
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS
PLEASE CALL
LAURIE MYERS FOR RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCH AND VETERANS BALL
AT 437 - 1299
IN
MEMORIAL
We are saddened to announce the passing of Dave
Fredericks, Army veteran of the Vietnam War, on
November 4, 2012; and of Melvin Huber, Army veteran of the
Korean War, on November 17, 2012.
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Craig
Kleinknight has recently taken over as the leader of the Small American flag
detail. Over 275 small flags are
displayed around the community on certain holidays by Eleanore Ahn, John
Sackie, Phil Loparo, Dale Kroft, Gene Banaszynski,
Charles Wyrich, Pete Hackett, & Ron Ruff |
The Veterans
Association needs 2 or 3 members to assume Vice Commanders
duties; we also need a member to replace our Honor Guard
Captain who is stepping down after 11 years on the job; we
also need a member to step up for the Commander's position
as Bernie Gdula's 2 year stint is up in early 2013. |
Please welcome Larry
Hone, Navy Captain Retired and a Navy Pilot in Vietnam and
served from 1967 to 1998, as a new member of the Lexington
Veterans Association |
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The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
has built a new facility in Bethesda,
Maryland for treating Traumatic Brain Injuries and PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Based on their success on the superior facility they built
in the mid 2000's for treating amputees we have started
contributing to this badly needed facility. |
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The LVA is pleased to announce that
the Association will now expand its membership opportunities
to include two new categories: Associate Member &
Auxiliary Member. The following definitions apply:
Associate Member
is designed to open membership to an Honorably Discharged
Veteran who had previously resided in the Lexington
Community and was a member of the LVA. It is also open
to any Honorably Discharged Veteran who currently resides in
Lee County and has a desire to become involved with an
organization committed to aiding and assisting in providing
benefits and comforts to our Armed Services personnel.
It carries the same benefits as full membership and dues are
$30 per year. |
Auxiliary Member
is designed for any non veteran
resident of the Lexington Community who wishes to become
involved with aiding and assisting the proud men and women
of our Armed Forces. These individuals will have
access to all Association functions and be invited to
participate in Association affairs. Annual dues are
$30. Membership applications for both memberships are
available at the front desk - main clubhouse. |
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VETERANS
DISPLAY CASE
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Display Case is
located in the Entrance Way of the Main Clubhouse - older
version |
2010 - Top
three rows of Veterans Display case |
2010 - Top
two rows of Veterans Display case |
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2011 - New
Version of Display Case. LVA Commanders over the years -
Rich Hill; Ernie Smith; Ken Taylor; Ron Ruff & Bernie Gdula |
2011 - LVA Hall of Honor Recipients - Top row from L to R: Jack Wagner
- Monica Benning - John "Giddyup" Bunch - Bottom row L to R: Wes
Hart - Yong Chol Ahn |
2011 - Top row of
Veterans Display Case |
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On right
side is display of the Purple Heart and Silver Star Medal given
to cousin of Donna Solberg plus the story of the Hell Ships that
her cousin died on as a POW |
Display of
all four shelves |
Top of new
Display Case including photo of the Chosin Few in Korea |
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VETERANS SIGN
UP AND DUES FOR 2013
Your annual dues
of $ 30 payable to the Lexington Veterans Association will
be electronically applied to your Lexington statement in
the November billing. The new year runs from Nov 11, 2012 to Nov 11,
2013. If you are a veteran new to the club, ask for the
sign up forms/web site forms so we know about you.
Forms available at the main clubhouse front desk.
MEMBERSHIP IS
OPEN TO ALL ARMED FORCES VETERANS REGARDLESS OF ERA OF
SERVICE. THIS INCLUDES RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD,
COAST GUARD, MERCHANT MARINE AND OTHER ALLIED FORCES.
1.
Our hearts and prayers go to the families who lost loved
ones in the horrific attack on America and it is our resolve
that America will be strong and swift in a massive
retaliation against both the terrorists and their state
sponsors. We fully support our troops fighting in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
2.
A formal structure was established at the Oct 2001 Meeting. Officers
were elected for a two-year term. Rich
Hill was elected the Association's first Commander. In
Nov 2003 Ernie Smith
was elected Commander; Treasurer Paul Tenenbaum;
Vice Commander - Finance Wes Hart; Vice Commander -
Membership Bob Kelley; Vice Commander - Planning
& Programs Phil Loparo; Vice Commander - Public
Affairs Ben Polk and Rich Hill, Past Commander & Honor
Guard Captain. In Nov 2006 Ken Taylor was elected
Commander; Vice Commanders are Paul Tenenbaum; Phil
Loparo; Howard Miller; Bernie Gdula; Ron Ruff, Ben Polk & Rich
Hill, Honor Guard Captain. In Nov 2008 Ron Ruff
was elected Commander: Vice Commanders are Paul
Tenenbaum; Phil Loparo; Howard Miller; Bernie Gdula;
George Semenek & Rich Hill. Fiscal year
established as Nov 11, 2001 (Veterans Day) to Nov 10, 2002
and each year thereafter.
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About
our Web Site -
There are fourteen pages to look at:
- Home Page -
A brief video that commemorates each new Memorial Day and lists all of
the deceased veterans of Lexington
-
Introduction - An Introduction page including "What's
New" and current events plus an add on entitled "Military Short
Stories"
- Our Mission & Purpose
- Spells out our reason for being & what we do plus our Special
Projects that we fund
- Veterans History Project -
Lists those Lexington
veterans who have submitted interviews to Washington
- The
Walk of
Honor - Lists
those Lexington veterans & family members who have subscribed to
the Walk of Honor
- Lexington Honor Guard -
Photos and other information on the Lexington Color/Honor Guard
activities
- The Events Page - Short
chronology of each war from WWII to the current Iraqi and Afghanistan
Wars
- Memorial Page - Honors
Lexington Veterans who are deceased
- Lexington Veterans Page -
Lists each Veteran and his or her service record
- Military Links Page
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Links over 60 separate Military web sites - one click & you are
there
- POW-MIA Page - Tells about
the Repatriation efforts to find Missing In Action and bring their remains back
home
- Flag Page
- Tells the story behind the Lexington Veterans efforts to fly the
American Flag and establish a Memorial to all Veterans
- Lex Events Page - Chronicles
the major events sponsored by the Veterans Association such as Veterans Day,
Pearl Harbor Day and Memorial Day & includes a link to the
Lexington Veterans Luncheons. Each year is listed & linked with
photos of all the events for that year.
- Freedom
Page - Showcases the
"Freedom Is Not Free" essay winners from Edison State
College.
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Small American flags are
displayed around the community on the following holidays:
- President's Day - 3rd
Monday in February
- Armed Forces Day
- 3rd Saturday in May
- Memorial Day - last
Monday in May (large flags at half staff until noon)
- Flag Day - June 14
- Independence Day - July
4
- Korean War Armistice -
July 27 (large flags at half staff all day)
- Patriots Day -
September 11 (large flags at half staff all day)
- POW/MIA Recognition Day
- 3rd Friday in September
- Veterans Day - November
11
- Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day - December 7 (large flags at half staff all day)
Flag volunteers are:
Richard Cullins, John Sackie, Phil Loparo, Dale Kroft, Gene Banaszynski, Charles Wyrich, Pete
Hackett, & Ron Ruff. Craig Kleinknight is the leader of this group. |
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Please send
corrections/additions on this
site to:
Richard L.
Hill or Ron Ruff
rleehill@comcast.net
ruff202@comcast.net |
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If you are
a Lexington Veteran and are not
listed on this site and wish to
do so - send me via
email rleehill@comcast.net or
ruff202@comcast.net
the
following information:
If
you sent the information in a
previous format on this
site, please resubmit via
the email address above
You
can also fill out the required
information on paper form found
at the Main Clubhouse or the
Island Club Activities Center -
deliver back to the Main
Clubhouse Administration Center
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Waving Flags
by Daeron Meyer at
www.daeron.com |
http:vets.com |
Music: US Navy Band -
"To The Colors" |
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