35 cents
VOL. 4/ISSUE 14
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
9th Annual Treasure Coast Bike Fest wheels in the crowds to Stuart Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
The weather took a breath and stayed clear, and relatively cool, for the 9th Annual Treasure Coast Bike Fest Jan. 30 and 31 at Veterans Memorial Park in Stuart, sponsored by Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged. Over the two days, thousands came to honor veterans, eat good food, buy goodies and get loads of information from dozens of different organizations, as well as live and recorded music. Jan. 30 was the day designated to honor America’s veterans. Members of AMVETS Post 92, Jensen Beach, ceremonially retired a flag by protocol, which includes giving proper respectful remarks before burning the flag. Sunshine Johnson of the Treasure Coast Gold Star Mothers sang the national anthem. A Color Guard detail was provided by an Army JROTC unit from South Fork High School, Stuart. Maggie Casterlin, of the American Legion Post 318 Auxiliary, Port St. Lucie, sang “You Raise Me Up,” with Johnson providing sign interpretation. Army veteran amputee and congressional candidate Brian Mast gave remarks praising fellow veterans and the Gold Star Mothers for “everything you’ve done, every sacrifice you’ve made, so we can be here enjoying ourselves today.” Mast had a booth set up with a reproduction World War II motorcycle, complete with sidecar, where he greeted fest-goers and asked them to sign petitions to help him get on the ballot for the upcoming race for U.S. House of Representatives, District 18. Next door, the Road to Victory Museum had a static display set up consisting of vintage vehicles from World War II, Vietnam and the present day.
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer AMVETS Post 92, Jensen Beach, members Bob Dadiomoff, Rich Vassar, Tony Vieri and Jack Edington (not shown) performed a flag retirement ceremony to begin the 9th Annual Treasure Coast Bike Fest at Memorial Park in downtown Stuart. The event took place for two days beginning Saturday, Jan. 30 and benefited The ARC of Martin County. Staff and volunteers had visitors fascinated by the histories and uses of the vehicles, which can normally be seen, along with many other memorabilia, at the museum, located at 319 Stypmann Blvd., Stuart. Its hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It’s also open through appointment throughout the week for school trips, veter-
an groups and special events. Entry is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Courage On All Fronts also had a booth, soliciting items to put in care packages for troops serving overseas. On the civilian side, ARC had a display of
See BIKE FEST page 3
Veteran sets his sights on the U.S. Senate Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
There are all kinds of political candidates. On one end of the spectrum, people file for races as jokes, such as claiming to represent the Keg Party. Some are issue candidates — they’re looking to get the major candidates discussing particular issues, say reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs. Then there are the dead serious candidates.
Bruce Nathan wasn’t joking or just trying to get the traditional major candidates discussing particular issues when he announced a run to be Florida’s next junior Senator. The Treasure Coast Army Reserve veteran is challenging Congressman Patrick Murphy and others to win the seat Marco Rubio is vacating to run for president. Nathan is running without party affiliation. He might be looking at a long shot, but Nathan is serious. “I’m doing this because there’s a need,” he
See SENATE page 5