35 cents
VOL. 1/ISSUE 32
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013
Hobe Sound man rescues Old Glory to honor Sept. 11 victims, veterans Patrick McCallister For Veteran voice
patrick.mccallister@yahoo.com
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer
Tom Fucigna Jr. strings his ‘Flagomania,’ a display of 250 flags, at the airport in West Palm Beach before the arrival of the April 27 Honor Flight carrying area World War II veterans returning from their day’s visit to Washington, D.C. Martin County Commission gave Fucigna permission to display the flags on poles around Hobe Sound on the anniversaries of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
On Independence Day, annually, Fucigna displays the flags at the Hobe Sound Community Center, 8980 Olympus St. Most recently, the rescued flags have been greeting warriors from the Greatest Generation even as those of the latest generation serve in Operation Enduring Freedom, America’s first response to the Sept. 11 attacks. On April 27, Fucigna made his way to the West Palm Beach International Airport to be part of Operation Homecoming, the reception of World War II veterans returning
from Washington, D.C., Honor Flight of Southeast Florida takes the veterans to see the memorial dedicated to them on the National Mall. Fucigna wasn’t sure who to call, so he just went with his flags. That’s when Operation Homecoming organizer Vanessa Smolen met the man dubbed “The Flag Guy.” “Someone came to me, and said ‘Someone has flags,’” she said in
See FLAGS page 11
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Sept. 11, 2001, was bad for everything, except flag sales. That surged to historic heights as hurting Americans visibly and enthusiastically embraced Old Glory, the symbol of our national unity and pride. “Everybody started flying flags from their cars,” Hobe Sound’s Tom Fucigna Jr. said. “One day, I saw a car flag on the ground, so I pulled over and picked it up.” What seemed like a small act to rescue a fallen flag became a patriotic project repeated hundreds of times. “I stopped counting at 600,” Fucigna said. “I ended up with this massive box of flags and realized I needed to do something.” That “something” became a mix of respectfully and retirement of the disheveled flags, and finding a way to honor the others. “I really saw them as memorials to the people lost in 9/11, so I strung them together,” Fucigna said. He constructed “Flagomania,” a 250-foot display of rescued roadside flags, cleaned up and given their due appreciation. The
Providing weekly news, information and updates for veterans and their families. Call today to subscribe (772) 204-2409 or go to www.VeteranVoiceWeekly.com
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2 • JUNE 14, 2013 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
anD our obJeCtIVe
Veteran Voice is a weekly publication designed to provide information to and about veterans to veterans and to the broader community. Veterans are an integral part of their Florida communities, which currently have individual organizations of their own, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America and many other groups with a narrow focus, but no convenient way to connect to a wider population of veterans and to the community in general within a limited geographic area, their community. The mission of Veteran Voice is to publish a weekly source of information that will provide, in one place, a listing of resources available to veterans, articles about changes in policies or organizations affecting veterans and events of interest to veterans as well as articles about veterans of interest to the general public. Veteran Voice LLC is organized as a partnership of experienced newspaper executives with an interest in veterans and in the communities of Florida veterans and friends. Veteran Voice is a start-up intended to address a perceived lack of information readily available to veterans on programs and policies affecting them and objective reporting of veteran affairs to the public. To our knowledge, and based on comments from leaders of local veterans organizations, there was no media or website currently meeting this need until the launch of Veteran Voice. We hope you agree, and will support this publication with your subscription. Without subscriptions there will be a limited number of people we can help, without which this mission will not be realized. As part of our commitment to supporting local veteran communities, we will donate 10 percent of our profits each quarter to qualified veteran charities recommended by you, our readers and subscribers. Please let us know what you think by emailing news@veteranvoiceweekly.com or mailing your comments to us at 1919 S.W. South Macedo Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984.
County Veterans Service Officers St. Lucie County, Donna Carlsen Phone: (772) 337-5670 Fax: (772) 337-5678 veterans@stlucieco.org Dorothy J. Conrad Building (formerly the Walton Road Annex Bldg.) 1664 S.E. Walton Road, Suite 205 Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 By appointment Mon., Tues, Thurs, Fri * 8:30 am-4:30 pm Wed * 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Lucie County Community Services Bldg. (Corner of Avenue D and 7th Street) 437 N. Seventh St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Walk-ins Mon. and Fri. * 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Brevard Veteran’s Services Office 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg. B, Suite 102, Viera, FL 32940 Office: (321) 633-2012 Fax: (321) 637-5432 Mon., Tues. and Thurs., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed. and Fri, 8 a.m.-noon Manager: Glenn McGuffie Indian River County Joel Herman Vero Beach 2525 St. Lucie Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960 Ph: (772) 226-1499 Fax: (772) 770-5038 Sebastian Square 11602 U.S. 1, Sebastian, FL 32958 Ph: (772) 589-6597 Fax: (772) 581-4988
Veteran Voice The Voice of Experience
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Martin County Tony Reese, Veterans Service Office Supervisor Nick Ciotti, Veterans Service Officer (772) 288-5448 Veterans Services Office Martin County Community Services 435 S.E. Flagler Ave., Stuart, FL 34994 Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. VA Life Insurance Ctr., Phil., PA 1-800-669-8477 VA Regional Office - 1-800-827-1000 VA Medical Ctr, W. Palm Beach 1-800-972-8262 Pharmacy, VA Medical Center 1-800-317-8387 Military Retired Pay Activities, Cleveland, OH - (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force ONLY) 1-800-321-1080 Military Retired Pay Activities, Topeka, KS - (Coast Guard ONLY) 1-800-772-8724 Survivor Benefits (SBP), Denver, CO - 1-800-435-3396 Stuart VA Clinic - (772) 288-0304 Okeechobee County Veterans Services office (863) 763-6441, Ext 5. Fax: (863) 763-0118. Orlando VA Medical Cente 5201 Raymond St., Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 629-1599 or (800) 922-7521 Telephone Care (407) 599-1404 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. (800) 645-6895 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon - Fri (321) 637-3625
West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410 (561) 422-8262 or (800) 972-8262 Telephone Care (561) 422-6838 (866) 383-9036 Open 24 hours - 7 days Viera VA Outpatient Clinic 2900 Veterans Way, Viera, FL 32940 Phone: (321) 637-3788 1 (877) 878-8387 Mon. - Fri. - 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. St Lucie County PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) Outpatient Program 126 S.W. Chamber Court, Port St Lucie, FL 34986 Phone: (772) 878-7876 Fort Pierce Community Based Outpatient Clinic 727 North U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Phone: (772) 595-5150 Fax: (772) 595-6560 St Lucie Community Based Outpatient Clinic 128 S.W. Chamber Court, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986 Phone: (772) 344-9288 Stuart Community Based Outpatient Clinic 3501 S E Willoughby Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34997 Phone: (772) 288-0304 Fax: (772) 288-1371 Vero Beach Community Based Outpatient Clinic 372 17th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960 Phone: (772) 299-4623 Fax: (772) 299-4632
Viera patients 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. (877) 741-3400 Weekends, holidays, evenings and nights
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VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • JUNE 14, 2013 • 3
Local veteran’s air conditioning problem fixed by two degrees of separation Patrick McCallister For Veteran voice
patrick.mccallister@yahoo.com
Editor’s note: Veteran Voice is withholding the names of companies in this story, except for Sharkey Air, to focus on bringing attention to the type of problem Gary Miller encountered and the positive resolution he got. Titusville’s Gary Miller got a new air conditioner, and Palm City’s Kevin Sharkey got to thank a 26year Army veteran for his service. “I’m not a veteran, which makes me appreciate what he did all the more,” Sharkey said. “He’s a veteran. He gave what he gave. He could have given all.” In their story is a lesson for others, however. Sharkey, owner of Sharkey Air in Stuart, said there’re a lot of air conditioners that are simply too small for the jobs asked of them. But there’s such a thing as too big, and that was Miller’s problem. “If you have a unit that’s too big, Photo illustration by Eric Macon/graphic designer
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See AIR page 5
4 • JUNE 14, 2013 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Easing the pain Airbrush company creates custom designs for prosthetic limbs FOR VETERAN VOICE
PALM CITY — No one would expect to visit an automobile repair shop and walk out with a new lease on life, but that is exactly what happened to Jose Cotto recently. Jose Cotto, a disabled 46-yearold husband and father of two, received an amazing gift from Mark Smith and Todd Harris, co-owners of Crown Collision Center in Palm City: a custom painted leg brace that provides Cotto with increased mobility and confidence. Cotto had the brace made and then brought it to Mark to be airbrushed. To understand the significance of the brace, one must understand Cotto’s long and devastating medical history: a motorcycle injury that severely fractured his tibia, an injury to his ankle and two high school football injuries that never healed properly. Add to this a diagnosis of chronic gout at age 23, and Cotto found himself in a spiral of deteriorating physical condition that left him bedridden for more than 18 months. Cotto grew up and worked in Miami in the automobile industry; he moved to Port St. Lucie with his wife Anne-Marie and two children in 2007 to be closer to family. Unable to work, Cotto receives disability income. His life revolves around doctors’ appoint-
Jose Cotto admires the detailed airbrush artwork on the brace for his disabled leg. ments, medical procedures and treatments and physical therapy. In explaining his predicament, Jose wrote, “ I’m on disability; I’m disabled; I live with pain. I can’t promise anyone if I can be at their birthdays or weddings, my daughter’s functions at school, family funerals, etc. etc. I don’t know if the next morning
veteran voice The Voice of Experience
Veteran Voice is a newspaper for veterans, active military, their families and their friends. We are published weekly by Veteran Voice, LLC. 1919 SW South Macedo Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 (772) 204-2409 Office • (772) 204-2940 Fax
SUBSCRIBE TODAY $18 YEAR (52 weeks) $12 Veterans or Active Military
Theodore Wilson Publisher Steve Erlanger Partner Phil Galdys Director of Operations Debbi Denning Advertising Consultant Kelly Delprete Advertising Consultant Eric Macon Graphic Designer Tammy Raits Managing Editor Mitch Kloorfain Chief Photographer
For more information on distribution and subscriptions of this newspaper, please call our main office (772) 204-2409
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if I will be able to stand or not because of the extreme pain and stiffness and imagine getting help to get to the bathroom in a wheelchair to use the toilet and to shower.” Cotto was given the option of surgery on his left knee and ankle but chose gel injections for his knee to try to replace and rebuild the missing cartilage.Without cartilage, as arthritis sufferers know, the medical condition is “bone on bone,” a painful and debilitating condition. For 18 months, Cotto was bedridden and due to steroid medication, his weight ballooned from 260 to 420 pounds. Finally in April, he was fitted for a brace for his lower leg to help relieve the pressure and the pain. “It was a plain white brace, very clinical, and I am a colorful guy. I wanted to make that brace part of my personality.” By chance Cotto thought about having the brace airbrushed and went to a business in Port St. Lucie, but it was shut down. But with his artistic idea in mind, Jose googled for another airbrush business and found www.dangerouscurves.biz, a custom airbrush and design business in Palm City, also owned jointly by Mark Smith and Todd Harris. He took a look at the imaginative and detailed paintings on motorcycles and the military and patriotic airbrush work and made an appointment to meet and discuss his vision.
Photo by Beverly Bevis Jones “We have been working on a special project to airbrush prosthetic legs and arms for veterans and other disabled people. We are about to launch it and this was actually a great opportunity for us to show off what we can do.” Mark Smith Co-owner Dangerous Curves Custom Airbrush & Design “We talked for about 45 minutes and I told Mark about my disability and what happened to me over the years, what led me to be in the situation I am in now,” he said. As they talked, Cotto shared his imaginative design for the brace in words. He wanted it be like a 3D view of his actual tibia bone, the damage from the injuries and fractures sustained. Cotto noted, “I like the movie ‘Terminator’ and I wanted to incorporate some of that same robotic quality onto my leg and brace.” A few days later, Mark phoned Cotto and told him that his business would like to donate the artwork design and airbrushing services. “Honestly, it was a matter of Jose being in the right place at the right time,” Smith said. Smith and Harris have a
See BRACE page 6
VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • JUNE 14, 2013 • 5
You Do Not Have To Be
Thank you, Veteran Voice Dear Sir:
Alone!
I am writing this letter for two reasons. First to personally express my heartfelt appreciation to the managing editor of the Veteran’s Voice (Ms. Tammy Raits) and secondly to inform the veterans just how much can be accomplished when you put your problems in the right hands.
In October, I started writing letters to the manufacturer and the the manufacturer’s parent company. These letters were sent to the CEO/president of both companies (all were certified receipt). From October 2012 to March 2013, we were ignored. Then, by chance I picked up a copy of Veteran Voice and decided to call out of desperation. As luck would have it, I was put in contact with Ms. Tammy Raits, who sounded so positive about helping us that I felt my luck had changed. True to her word, she contacted a Mr. Kevin Sharkey, who called me and asked what he could do to help. I forwarded all the letters and informed him how we had been ignored. Less than two weeks later I received a call from a gentleman who worked in Residential Resolution office of the manufacturer’s parent company. This individual, who had been briefed on our situation, started off our conversation with “We are going to fix this, no matter what it takes.” Last week the manufacturer put in all new equipment, even some upgrades, with no cost to us. They have done a superb job. But I must wander what would have happened if Veteran Voice had not gotten involved!!! I hope this helps veterans out who feel they have been taken advantage of and that no one cares. You have a true friend in the Veteran Voice and it does have the power to help. It is good to know that we have people like these, the Veteran Voice staff who truly look after our interest. Thank you. Gary G. Miller Titusville
AIR from page 3 it will run too quickly,” Sharkey said. “Once the temperature is satisfied, it’ll shut off regardless of the humidity in the house. Think of it as two horses pulling a cart; the reduction of temperature and humidity have to be at the same time. In order to do that, the equipment has to be
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Approximately two years ago, we purchased a brand new AC and air handler for our home in Titusville. We continuously had problems with proper cooling and exceptionally high electric bills due to the failure of the new system. The company tried everything to fix these problems, mostly by having us spend more money on such items as vents, expensive thermostats, and duct work. Before the problem could be fixed the owner of the AC business that sold us the system unexpectedly died.
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sized correctly to the load.” OK, time to back up and explain what happened. Was a time in America when newspapers were widely seen as the homes of heroes. There’s a reason why Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, was a reporter when he made his first appear-
See AIR page 7
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6 • JUNE 14, 2013 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
BRACE from page 4 shared philosophy of contributing to the community and helping those in need. “We have been working on a special project to airbrush prosthetic legs and arms for veterans and other disabled people. We are about to launch it and this was actually a great opportunity for us to show off what we can do,” Smith said. “Although Jose’s brace is different (than a prosthetic limb), it’s exactly the idea we are pursuing. Offering a unique, custom-designed and painted durable finish for the prosthesis so that the wearer can feel as comfortable as possible wearing the new limb. We hope we can help with the emotional recovery process of the patient by making the prosthetic appear lifelike. We create flesh tones, scars, tattoos, anything the individual may imagine or want. We hope this art will aid in their recovery and healing.” Todd Harris is headed to Washington, D.C., on vacation in midJune and hopes to make some connections at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to further the use of their service. For further information, call Crown Collision Center at (772) 370-6348 or visit the website at www.dangerouscurves.biz.
Photo courtesy of Beverly Bevis Jones Todd Harris, left and Mark Smith, right, with Jose Cotto with his newly custom designed airbrushed brace, at Crown Collision Center in Palm City.
t r e a s u r i n g
Latest initiative aimed at reducing claims backlog
l i f e
Hono‰ Flight - One Last Mission You are invited to a community screening of the movie, “Honor Flight, One Last Mission”
Monday, June 24, 2013 Thomas Counseling Center 5000 Dunn Rd., Fort Pierce Choose between two showings: 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has mandated overtime for claims processors to be implemented through the end of 2013
Admission is free, but space is limited. Reserve your seat now at tchospice.org/flight or contact: Mayce DelValle (772) 403-1758
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FOR VETERAN VOICE
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WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be targeted to eliminating the backlogged status of claims. The additional overtime hours that will be worked during this period will be used to help eliminate the backlog with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless veterans and those claiming
See CLAIMS page 7
VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • JUNE 14, 2013 • 7
other. This theory is often applied to resolving problems. Miller encountered Veteran Voice editor Tammy Raits at the 36th annual Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum & TICO AirShow in March. “I explained (everything) to her, and she said, ‘Send me the letters,’” Miller said. “She said, ‘I think I know a guy who can help us.’” That was Sharkey. “Tammy (Raits) contacted me and told me she had a veteran who was having problems with his air conditioner,” Sharkey said. “It was a considerable distance from my coverage area.” It turned out that Sharkey had recently returned from an Air Conditioner Contractors of America convention where he’d met the people who could fix Miller’s problem. He just didn’t know that until … “I called (Miller) up, and he told me the history of the system and the size of his house,” Sharkey said. “It appeared just by looking at the front page that the system was too big and would never work right.”
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financial hardship, the terminal“We’re committed to getting ly ill, former prisoners of war, veterans decisions on their Medal of Honor recipients, and claims as quickly and accurateveterans filing Fully Developed ly as possible,” said UndersecClaims. retary for Benefits Allison A. “VA is dedicated to providHickey. “We need to surge our ing veterans with the care and resources now to help those benefits they have earned and who have waited the longest deserve,” said VA Secretary Eric and end the backlog.” K. Shinseki. “This increased overtime initiative will provide more veterans with decisions on their claims and will help us achieve our goal of eliminating the claims backlog.” This is the latest effort in support of the Secretary’s plan to reduce the backlog. Last month, the VA announced an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer. On April 19, VA began prioritizing claims decisions for veterans who have been waiting the longest, by providing provisional decisions that allow eligible veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits quickly. With a provisional decision, a veteran has a year to submit additional information to support a claim before the decision becomes final. “We’re committed to getting veterans decisions on their claims as quickly and accurately as possible,” said Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “We need to surge our resources now to help those who have waited the longest and end the backlog.” Claims for Wounded Warriors separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately and on a priority basis with the Department of Defense through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. On average, Wounded Warriors separating through IDES currently receive VA compensation benefits in two months following their separation from service. Veterans can learn more about disability benefits on the joint Department of Defense — VA web portal eBenefits at www.ebenefits. va.gov.
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CLAIMS from page 6
Sharkey called his newfound contacts. That’s when things started changing for Miller. “Not two weeks later I got a call from the resolution department,” he said. The company recognized that one of its dealers had sold Miller a five-ton unit for a house needing a four-ton, and replaced it free of charge. “We’re in better shape than we were,” Miller said. “The humidity seems better.” He credits Veteran Voice. “The Veteran Voice is something more than just to read,” he said. “It’s got some power.” Well, in his case, the “power” was probably in two degrees of separation from a person who could fix his problem. One was an air-conditioner contractor who’s been in the business since 1989 and made a lot of acquaintances. But sometimes newspapers still do what the First Amendment was crafted for and live up in their small ways to the sacrifices of service members who died protecting it. Sharkey Air is at stuartair.com or call (772) 220-2487.
of
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ance in Action Comics, 1938. In today’s world, Kent would probably be a firefighter/EMT. Reporters and the newspapers they worked for were once respected. They were seen as tough, bold. They got things done, made things change. That’s disappeared over time, and probably for some good reasons. Still, when Miller was having problems with a new air conditioner he bought in 2010, he turned to Veteran Voice to help him get a resolution. “From the beginning we had a problem that it would not cool the house proportionately,” Miller said. “It would be cool one side of the house and not the other.” Among other problems, Miller’s wife, Pam, had medical conditions that were worsened by the humidity lingering in the home. Miller had local air conditioning companies putting bandages after bandages on the problem. None were working. “I wrote a letter,” Miller said. “I wrote a letter to the CEO. I also sent one to the president. I never heard a word.” He wrote more letters. Nothing. There’s a mathematical theory called “Six degrees of separation.” It holds that no two people on the planet are more than six mutual acquaintances apart from each
Among other problems, Miller’s wife, Pam, had medical conditions that were worsened by the humidity lingering in the home. Miller had local air conditioning companies putting bandages after bandages on the problem. None were working.
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AIR from page 5
8 • JUNE 14, 2013 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Honor Flight to land again in St. Lucie County FOR VETERAN VOICE
The powerful documentary that set the world record for the largest film screening in history will land again in St. Lucie County. Treasure Coast Hospice continues its partnership with Southeast Florida Honor Flight to present a free screening of the film, “Honor Flight, One Last Mission,” June 24 at The Thomas Counseling Center in Fort Pierce at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. “Honor Flight, One Last Mission” is a heartwarming documentary about four World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give the vets a trip of a lifetime to view their World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Each vet reflects on his war experience,
See MOVIE page 9
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VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • JUNE 14, 2013 • 9
forces.” Admission is free, but space is limited. Reserve your seat at tchospice.org/flight or contact Mayce DelValle at (772) 4031758. The screening is open to all ages, and the venue is handicap accessible. Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s WWII and terminally ill veterans for all their sacrifices. Since 2005, it has flown more than 100,000 veterans to Washington, DC. Southeast Florida is one of 117 hubs across the country. Funds are raised to guarantee that every WWII veteran fly absolutely free. Donations to Southeast Florida Honor Flight are welcomed. Treasure Coast Hospice is a nonprofit community organization of caring professionals and dedicated volunteers whose mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality care for patients and those who share their lives in St. Lucie and Martin counties. Services are available to anyone regardless of their ability to pay, including counseling and bereavement services.
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and recalls beautiful postwar life stories, as they embark on their own Honor Flight. The concept of the film was so moving that it united 28,442 people in Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park for the star-spangled premiere, setting a Guinness Book World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening. The film not only honors the legacy of the WWII veterans, but also provides a much-needed perspective – challenging the audience to think deeply about what it means to live in freedom. “The movie is a great tribute to our veterans and opens the eyes of the community to how important Honor Flight is for these men and women. I am so thankful to Treasure Coast Hospice for helping raise awareness of the need to continue this vital program,” says Donna True, honor flight guardian volunteer. Lori Posdal, director of community relations at Treasure Coast Hospice, added, “Keeping with the spirit of the film, we will recognize all those in attendance who have served in our armed
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Crossword
MOVIE from page 8
CLUES ACROSS 1. Chicago time 4. And hearty 8. In a murderous frenzy (var. sp.) 10. Substance that imparts a hue 11. Italian’s capital 12. Oral flavors 13. The Pitt Family artist, Wm. 15. Most buffoonish 16. A group of 8 17. Overlords 18. Camera artists 21. Resinlike substance in shellac 22. Fundamentally important 23. Fishing implement 24. Hamilton’s bill 25. An adult female hog 26. Emergency broadcast network 27. Transcending national boundaries 34. Applied by spreading 35. Lower in esteem 36. Entered the noneating larval stage 37. Nears 38. Woke up 39. Selfs 40. Parts 41. Dry: esp. of vegetation 42. Knot in a tree 43. River in NE Scotland
CLUES DOWN 1. Drive-in server 2. Kiss 3. Red fruit eaten as a vegetable 4. Foot and legwear 5. Changes 6. Wind deposited silt 7. Formerly (archaic) 9. Gold fineness measure 10. Military snack bar 12. Capital of Uzbekistan 14. Old Tokyo 15. Heat in a microwave 17. A waterproof raincoat 19. Stared sullenly
sudoKu
20. Slang for cool 23. Revolves 24. Don’t know when yet 25. Sports shoe 26. Opposite of beginning 27. Chevy sedan model 28. Communist nickname 29. 007’s Flemming 30. Drama awards 31. Badgered 32. Towards land 33. Leaseholder 34. Capital of Gyeonggi-do 36. Yellowstone or Central
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Military Officers luncheon set for Tuesday, June 18 The Military Officers luncheon is Tuesday, June 18, at the Tides, Patrick Air Force Base. Social at 11:30 a.m., call to order at noon and program at 12:20. The speaker is Rick Cloutier, director of operations at Melbourne International Airport. The colors will be posted by Rockledge JROTC. The meal selections are garlic shrimp w/basil over linquine or Fresh Fruit Plate w/low-fat cottage cheese. The cost is $12.50 and reservations can be made by calling Joe or Ruth at (321) 453-2947 prior to Friday, June 14.
Flying the American flag at half-staff From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FOR VETERAN VOICE When should the flag be flown at half-staff? An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for local remembrance, in the event of a death of a member or former member of the federal, state or territorial government or judiciary. The heads of departments and agencies of the federal government may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels under their jurisdiction. On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes. In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times. The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal build-
In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half--staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times. ings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. It is to fly 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. For an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives the flag is to be displayed at half-staff from the day of death until interment. The flag is to be flown at halfstaff at all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels in the Washington, D.C., area on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the
See HALF-STAFF page 11
VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE • JUNE 14, 2013 • 11
HALF-STAFF from page 10 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials. Upon the death of the governor of a state, territory or possession, the flag should be flown at halfstaff on all federal facilities in that governor’s state, territory or possession from the day of death until interment. The president may order the flag to be flown at halfstaff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events. The flag should be briskly run up to the top of the staff before being lowered slowly to the half-staff position.
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a previous interview. Smolen was overwhelmed already with organizing a reception party counted in the hundreds. Lots of people had flags there, so in her weariness Smolen was at first a bit dismissive. “Honestly, at that point I was like, ‘Ugh,’” she said. Nevertheless, she met with Fucigna. “He starts to show me a duffle bag of flags,” Smolen said. “They were all on this rope. He said, “These flags are flags I’ve been picking up from roadways since 9/11.’” That’s when she realized the value and power of what Fucigna had done. “I told him, please, please come again,” Smolen said. Fucigna took her up on that at the last Operation Homecoming, May 25. “It’s grown from that,” Fucigna said. “They invited me to serve as a guardian on the Sept. 7 flight.” Fucigna said his wife, Cindy, is supportive of his efforts, although there were those weeks when a 250-foot rope was hanging in the house as he carefully stitched flags on it. “When you have that many feet, if has to go somewhere,” he said. “I had one end tied to the back door and the other somewhere in the living room. It was blocking everything in the whole house.” And the other thing — she wor-
ries about his safety. “She’s not crazy about me pulling off on the side of the road,” Fucigna said. “It’s true, if people don’t notice a flag in the gutter, they don’t notice a guy going over to pick it up.” He recommended that only those with acute senses, good reflexes, and reasonably light traffic around them stop for fallen flags by roadsides. Fucigna said that he’s willing to take the flag display to show any group that wants to see it. He told Veteran Voice there’s no need to publish his contact information. “I’ve noticed that people find me if they want to,” he said. He has more rescued flags that could be displayed, but ran out of rope long ago. “I’ve had people ask me if they can have a flag, so I’ve sent them off,” he said. He’s declined donations, asking those who wish to support his efforts to save flags to instead send money to the Little Flower Children and Family Service of New York, or to any other charities helping children. Little Flower is at littleflowerny.org. “A few of the people we knew in the Twin Towers were supporters of it,” Fucigna said. Guidelines for displaying and retiring the Stars and Stripes is in Title 4 of the “United States Code.” The full text is available from the Cornell University Law School, law.cornell.edu/uscode/ text/4/chapter-1
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FLAGS from page 1
DARBY is a story of danger, suspense, romance, and intrigue interwoven with the
SF-22587 June YV FullPg_CO-0_Layout 1 6/11/13 2:55 PM Page 1
12 • JUNE 14, 2013 • VETERAN VOICE • THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
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