35 cents
VOL. 3/ISSUE 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015
United Way Play ball! looking for vet-owned businesses Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
patrick.mccallister@yahoo.com
Veteran Tom Lytle shops at a local Treasure Coast electronics store for one reason. “Out on his door, he has the Vietnam ribbon, and I shop there instead of (larger electronic retailers),” Lytle said. “I say, ‘Hey, I could spend my money at (a large retailer) who doesn’t care who I am, or I can come in here where there’s a Vietnam ribbon on the door.” So long as he gets good prices and service, Lytle will keep going to a veteran-owned business when he finds them. To help folks find them, Martin Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1041, Stuart, are looking for veteran-owned businesses to update a directory. Martin Veterans is part of Martin Volunteers, a United Way of Martin County organization. Ed Maxwell, first vice president of the VVA 1041, said as folks get to know about veteran-owned businesses it helps dispel misconceptions some may have about veterans, or veterans of particular military eras. Additionally, it gives veterans looking for work some leads. He owns a computer service in Stuart and is on the local veteran-owned businesses listing. “The whole purpose of this to bring to the attention of the public the businesses that are veteran-owned,” he said. “We have seen that veteran-owned businesses are more prone to hire veterans.” Lauren Mustelier, director of the retired senior
See BUSINESS page 10
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Bill Gass of Port St. Lucie threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the New York Mets home opening game at Tradition Field in St. Lucie West Friday, March 6. Gass served with the U.S. Army Air Force during several battles, including the Battle of the Bulge under Lt. Gen. George S. Patton in late December 1944.