Page 1Celebrating Veterans 2014

On behalf of the Desoto County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to our Sponsors/Vendors. We initially spoke about hosting the Traveling Wall approximately 4 years ago. The thought of hosting the Wall was accepted as a positive thing for the community, but a negative as far as the county budget was concerned. The idea was put on the back burner, until August 2013. When Jody Sullivan, the Turner Center Director, approached me and asked if I was still interested in hosting the Wall. Of course I was interested, but I could not allow myself to get to excited, only to

be shot down a second time. As we were talking about hosting the Wall with New Administrator

Guy Maxcy, we pitched the idea as a commu-nity funded event. Guy listened and asked

do you think you can do it. Having spoke to few people in the community, I

said “I think so”. Guy got with the Commissioners, who agreed and

said the Turner Center grounds could be used.

Finally we could start on this enormous

undertaking. We put together a

committee of (veterans and

veteran friendly)

volun-

Lee GallagherDeSoto County Veteran’s Service Officer

Page 2 Sponsors

teers. We start-ed asking around to see if any local businesses would be willing to sponsor this event. What we found is that not only were they willing to sponsor this event, but that they were excited to hear we were going to host the wall. As the event started moving closer, the support for the event grew. As support for hosting the Traveling Memorial Wall was growing the Wall committee was able to add another tribute, The Some Gave All Tribute. Having Both memorials on site allows us to see the price of freedom over the last 50 years.

I would like to thank all of the sponsors, individu-als, and groups, who have made hosting this Memorial possible. Without your support and commitment to our veterans, hosting this Memorial would not have been possible. The Traveling Wall is used in the healing of many of our Vietnam Veterans. Also your patriotism and generosity, aloud the Wall Committee to host an additional tribute, The Some Gave All Tribute, to help unite the Vietnam Veterans and modern era veterans . We will pay tribute to our WWII veterans and let our Korean War veterans know that they are not forgotten.

In closing thank you to our community for sup-porting an event for our community, that shows “The cost of Freedom.”

THANKYOU!

Page 3SponsorsCopper SponsorDon/Mary FinkleArcadia Elks ClubHelen O’neilLarry Kirsch RV & Bus Repair Bruce SwindleHarlan Wilson Widow Sons Masonic Riders Ken Willis Disabled American Veterans 111Joe SmedleyBullseye Bar B Q Dave Elder Joshua Citrus Desoto Jewelry Mary Margaret’s Performance AutomotiveDeSoto Memorial Hospital Desoto Insurance Larry Burch S.O.A.R. Arthur Southwell Rebuilding Treasure Alley Bobby’s Tiques The Valley Florist Suzanne Burns Freeland Arcadia Seafood Co. LLCCol. Tom Damron Lower Class of SWFL MC James De Vaughn Canoe OutpostCarl Gause Albert & Arlene Conley Wagon Wheel Patrons Amvets Post 60 PatronsOpen Road Patrons Joe Kerby Moose Patrons Charlotte Web Patrons Desoto AutomallTed Abbott

John Mihalick Caroline M Lackey/Gerald Lawson Jonathan G LoefflerYates AutomotiveTwo Fat Guys LLC Michael T Lynch Carol Watson Sparks John/Catherine HawkinsBayshore Farms T & M Mining LLC Steven/Janet Smith Florida Tracks & Trails Gary S. Gyarmathy Kitson Babcock LLC All Care Medical Centers PPI Technologies Group Olson Brothers LLC Ponger Kays Funeral Home Mare Branch Farms Circle C Ranch and FarmsHeather Cho Chung Hing Robert/Susan King Wendy Hand Edmonson Joyce Riley Lee Gabrielle Linda HoneycheckPaul/Linda Donnelly Cindy Heflin Commissioner Bob Miller Sears Patrons Country Cafe Bryans Feed Store Patron’s Building Contractors Desoto Land Surveying LLCWagon Wheel SaloonSeacost National BankHazel DoanLimestone Country ClubBronze SponsorRiverside RV Park Glass, Antique or Not

Don Conn—County Attorney (PENNINGTON LAW) John “Bo” Young --- (1st Sgt USMC Retired) Amvets Post #60 Darrell’s Road & Wrecker Service Ben & Jeri Olsen Representative Ben Albritton Commissioner Jim Selph (1st LT Vietnam Veteran) Commissioner Elton Langford (Mare Branch Farms) Commissioner Buddy Mansfield (JJ Transport) Big Tree RV Resort Residents Kaler Real Estate Holdings LLC Berkshire Enterprises LLC Albert & June Decosta Arcadia McDonaldsOak Park InnDowntown Signs Silver SponsorPeace River VFW Post 2824 Veterans Council of Desoto CountyBig Tree Carefree RV Resorts Eugene H. “Brother” Turner IIPeace River Masonic Lodge # 66 Ed Johnson Gold SponsorArcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo Platinum SponsorMurdock Stones Etc.Sons of Amvets Squadron 60 Open Road Bar & GrillThe ArcadianWomack SanitationMosaicHorizon CoachTater Hill Bar B Q Bunch

THANK YOU!

Page 4 Celebrating Veterans

OH-6 Loach Helicopter

T-28 Trojan Trainer

UH-1 Huey Helicopter

flY Overs!static displaYs!and mOre!

Page 5Celebrating Veterans

Honoring all our veterans

flY Overs!static displaYs!and mOre!

Photo by Welsh Photography

Page 6 Event Layout

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Page 8 Schedule of Events

Thursday, December 4, 2014Wall set up 8 am until completionWall locater tent open until 9 pm

Vendor set up Helo static display arrives

Opening ceremony – Sunset24 hour security starts

Vietnam Memorabilia tent set up

The Wall will be open 24 hours a day from December 4-7, 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014Wall locator tent open 9 am - 9 pm

Vendors openHelo static display

9:30 am - 2 pm DeSoto County School Touring the WallVietnam Memorabilia tent open

POW/MIA ceremony 5 pmConcert in Turner Center 7pm

Page 9Schedule of Events

The Wall will be open 24 hours a day from December 4-7, 2014

Saturday, December 6, 2014Wall locator tent open 9 am - 9 pm

Vendors openHelo static display

Car/Bike show 9 am - 2 pmJR ROTC Demonstration in Turner Center 10 am

Christmas Parade Downtown Arcadia 6 pmVietnam Memorabilia tent open

Sunday, December 7, 2014Wall locater tent open until 9 pm

Vendor set upNon-Denominational church service 10 am

Helo static displayPearl Harbor Day/Closing ceremony – Sunset

Vietnam Memorabilia tent open

Photo by Marisa Bauer

The United States Army is the main ground-force of the United States. The Army’s main function is to protect and defend the United States (and its interests) by way of

ground troops, armor (tanks), artillery, attack helicopters, tactical nuclear weapons, etc. The Army is the oldest U.S. Military service, officially established by the Conti-nental Congress on June 14, 1775. The Army is also the largest U.S. Military Service.

There are approximately 76,000 officers and 401,000 enlisted members in the active duty Army. The Army is supported by two Reserve Forces which can be tapped for

trained personnel and equipment during times of need: The Army Reserves, and the Army National Guard. The primary difference between the two is that the Reserves are “owned” and managed by the federal government, and each state “owns” it’s own National Guard. However, the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense can “activate” state National Guard members into Federal military service during times of need.

The Air Force is the youngest military service. As mentioned in the beginning of this ar-ticle, the Air Force was created in 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947. Prior

to 1947, the Air Force was a separate Corps of the Army. The primary mission of the Army Air Corps was to support Army ground forces. However World War II showed that air power had much more potential than simply supporting ground troops, so

the Air Force was established as a separate service. The primary mission of the Air Force is to defend the United States (and its interests) through exploitation of air and

space. To accomplish this mission, the Air Force operates fighter aircraft, tanker aircraft, light and heavy bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters (which are used mainly for rescue of downed-aircrew, and special operations missions). The Air Force is also responsible for all military satellites, and controls all of our Nation’s strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. There are about 69,000 commissioned officers on active duty in the Air Force, and about 288,000 enlisted members. Like the Army, the active duty Air Force is supplemented by the Air Force Reserves, and the Air National Guard.

The Marines are often referred to as the “Infantry of the Navy.” Marines specialize in amphibious operations. In other words, their primary specialty is to assault, capture,

and control “beach heads,” which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction. The Marines were officially established on 10 November 1775 by the Continental Congress, to act as a landing force for the United States Navy. In

1798, however, Congress established the Marine Corps as a separate service. While amphibious operations are their primary specialty, in recent years, the Marines have

expanded other ground-combat operations, as well. The Marines are generally a “lighter” force when compared to the Army, so they can generally be deployed fast (although the Army has been making great strides in “rapid deployment” in the past few years). For combat operations, the Marines like to be self-sufficient, as much as possible, so they also have their own air power, consisting primarily of fighter and fighter/bomber aircraft and attack helicopters. Even so, the Marines use the Navy for much of their logistical and administrative support. For example, there are no doctors, nurses, or enlisted medics in the Marine Corps. Even medics that accompany the Marines into combat are specially-trained Navy medics. With the exception of the Coast Guard, the Marines are also the smallest service. There are approximately 18,000 officers and 153,000 enlisted personnel on active duty in the Marines. Like the Navy, there is no Marine Corps National Guard, but Marines are supported in times of need by the Marine Corps Reserves.

Page 10 WelcOme

Like the Army, the Navy was officially established by the Continental Congress in 1775. The Navy’s primary mission is to maintain the freedom of the seas. The Navy makes it

possible for the United States to use the seas where and when our national interests require it. In addition, in times of conflict, the Navy helps to supplement Air Force air power. Navy aircraft carriers can often deploy to areas where fixed runways are

impossible. An aircraft carrier usually carries about 80 aircraft. Most of these are fighters or fighter-bombers. Additionally, Navy ships can attack land targets from miles

away (with very heavy guns), and cruise missiles. Navy submarines (fast attack and ballistic missile subs) allow stealth attacks on our enemies from right off their shores. The Navy is also primarily responsible for transporting Marines to areas of conflict. The active duty Navy has about 54,000 officers, and 324,000 enlisted personnel. The Navy is supported in times of need by the Naval Reserves. However, unlike the Army and Air Force, there is no Naval National Guard (although a few states have established “Naval Militias.”)

The United States Coast Guard was originally established as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790. In 1915, it was reformed as the United States Coast Guard, under the Treasury

Department. In 1967, the Coast Guard was transferred to the Department of Trans-portation. Legislation passed in 2002 transferred the Coast Guard to the Depart-ment of Homeland Security. In peacetime, the Coast Guard is primarily concerned

with law enforcement, boating safety, sea rescue, and illegal immigration control. However, the President of the United States can transfer part or all of the Coast Guard

to the Department of the Navy in times of conflict. The Coast Guard consists of ships, boats, aircraft and shore stations that conduct a variety of missions. The Coast Guard is the smallest military service, with about 7,000 officers and 29,000 enlisted on active duty. The Coast Guard is also supported by the Coast Guard Reserves, and a volunteer “Coast Guard Auxiliary” in times of need.

Page 11

Photo by Marisa Bauer

HOme

Page 12 Local JROTC

DeSoto County High School JROTC

Zephyrhills High School JROTC

LoteLaGoLd

Page 13Lotela Gold

Performing ‘50s - ‘60s classic hit songs | Friday 7pm - 9pmwww.LotelaGold.com

Performing ‘50s - ‘80s Rock & Roll | Saturday 9am - Noonwww.CaliforniaToeJam.com

FREE - Live Entertainment

LoteLaGoLd

Other local artists perfoming daily through December 4-7, 2014

Page 14 Johnny Burke | January 3, 2015

Page 15California Toe Jam | January 23, 2015

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Welcome,

The Veterans Appreciation Days Committee along with DeSoto County government are extremely proud to host these days of remembrance, respect and honoring all who have served our great nation.