Veteran 2 25 2016

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VOL. 4/ISSUE 17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Van donation delights Marine at Military Expo Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER

mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com

There was a thrilling military re-enactment and a local celebrity —singer and entertainer JessLee —singing the national anthem at the Feb. 6 Military Expo at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. But the real star was Marine Corps veteran Jason Picaro, Vero Beach, who was given a custom van donated to the Veterans Council of Indian River County. “We went through a nominating and vetting process,” said council member Curtis Paulisin, who is a member of the Italian American War Veterans, who headed the campaign. “We had a number of criteria each veteran had to meet in order to be given the van, and Jason met them all. “We’re very happy that he and his family will make good use of it.” Picaro served in the Corps from 1998 to 2007, retiring as a staff sergeant. He served in Iraq with a tactical fighter unit between 2003 and 2005. However, it wasn’t until he came back home when he had his spine broken in an accident on Interstate 95 in 2006. After emerging from a two-week coma, he now relies on a wheelchair. His family — wife Melisa, daughter Kalena, 8, and son A.J., 4, were on hand at the van presentation, all smiles. What does hav-

“I really can’t find the right words to thank everyone enough who was involved. It’s just amazing. Now we can get around and do things so much more easily.” Marine Corps veteran Jason Picaro ing this new van mean to Picaro? “I really can’t find the right words to thank everyone enough who was involved,” he said. “It’s just amazing. Now we can get around and do things so much more easily.” After a Color Guard presentation and the national anthem, a military re-enactment was held. The main event was a gun show, but expo-goers were able to enjoy numerous vendors, including food, collectibles and information helpful to veterans from several different organizations. The Road to Victory Museum in Stuart provided static displays of military vehicles from previous wars to the present. The gun show featured more than 200 artifacts, and there was

See DONATION page 7

Staff photo by Mary Kemper A young military re-enactor helps set the mood at the Military Expo held Feb. 6 at Indian River County Fairgrounds.

Horses helping veterans Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE

pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com

Sometimes horsing around is about serious medicine for the soul. Palm City’s Courage on All Fronts hosted a demonstration of its Equine Assisted Learning pro-

gram on Sunday, Feb. 21. Alicia Cheplick, president, said horses are helping veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and troubles adjusting to post-military life. “They learn how they can improve their communication with other people though horses,” she said.

See EQUINE page 5


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