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VOL. 4/ISSUE 16
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016
Veterans ready to swim, run and bike Veterans are stretching themselves and staying fit. Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
On Sunday, Feb. 21, the Chasing Caterpillars Triathlon launches at Sailfish Splash Waterpark, in Stuart. Among the racers is Port St. Lucie’s Chris Bertorelli, who’s always game for a triathlon. The Marine Corps Force Recon veteran is a triathlon coach. “For me, it’s because of the charity they give to,” he said. That charity is the Treasure Coast Down Syndrome Awareness Group. Bertorelli’s niece, Roma Comfort, has the pervasive developmental disorder. He said she teaches him about courage and tenacity needed to be a Marine and triathlete. “People say, ‘You’re a Marine’ — they say, ‘You’re tough,’” Bertorelli told Veteran Voice last year. “They say, ‘You were Recon; you’re tough.’ These kids have challenges, physical challenges and developmental challenges, every day of their lives and they go through it with smiles.” Vietnam veteran with his Ranger tab — and former heavy smoker — Jerry Kyckelhahn is organizing the second Chasing Caterpillars. The Palm City age-group national triathlon champion and sports author said Chasing Caterpillars is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. In addition to organizing the triathlon, Kyckelhahn is helping organize The Marathon of the Treasure Coast, which will be on March 5 and 6 with events ranging from a 5K to marathon all launching from Memorial Park, 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd. Stuart. He said a large number of runners, cyclists
See TRIATHLON page 9
Photo by Roger Scruggs A JROTC unit from Viera High School performed Color Guard duty at the Feb. 10 meeting of the Brevard Veterans Council at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center.
Expansion of Memorial Center kicks into gear Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
The sounds of construction ongoing at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, Merritt Island, could just be heard in the background at the Veterans Council meeting Feb. 10. This week and next, the expansion of the Memorial Center will kick into high gear, according to Council President Bill Vagianos. A new wing is to be added, the front façade completely changed, and the museum will begin its move to new quarters. Volunteers to help were solicited. In other business, a representative of the Sons of the American Revolution, Steve Williams, gave a short presentation on his organization, and urged the council to include them in their various activities.
“We participate in Wounded Warrior, JROTC and ROTC, and Eagle Scouts,” Williams said, adding that he, himself, became an Eagle Scout. The council was reminded that the annual Stand Down for homeless veterans will take place March 26 — with setup on March 25 — at the National Guard Armory in Cocoa. This year, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) will be distributed instead of canned goods, courtesy of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). It was announced that an anonymous donor gave the council eight kayaks and a trailer, and the council decided to give them to AVET Project, Patrick Air Force Base, to use in their program to help veterans with PTSD.
See BREVARD page 4