A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ABOUT VETERANS ISSUES, ORGANIZATIONS, EVENTS AND OUR MILITARY HEROES
VOL. 9/ISSUE 38
THURSDAY • JULY 29, 2021
35 CENTS
‘It’s not about Me’ This time, it is about Roy Brewer, a Veteran who gave so much to St. Lucie County STORY ON PAGE 7
The late Roy Brewer and his wife, Nancy, share a moment at the wedding of Alex Zook, son of Gold Star Mother and Father Karen and Ian Zook, and brother of the late Marine Cpl. Ian Zook, was killed in Iraq in service to his country in 2004. Roy and Karen worked together to help secure and fund the Gold Star Families Monument now emplaced in Veterans Park, Port St. Lucie. Photo courtesy of Pam and Bob Dadiomoff
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BREVARD COUNTY DATED EVENTS Sunday, Aug. 8 Annual Military Order of the Purple Heart Ceremony at the VMC and Memorial Plaza to recognize 10 recipients of the Purple Heart after combat operations (2-4 p.m.). Contact VMC for more information. Annual Military Order of the Purple Heart Ceremony at the VMC and Memorial Plaza to recognize and honor 12 recipients of the Purple Heart during combat operations (2-4 p.m.). Contact VMC for more information. Thursday, Aug. 26 Sen. Marco Rubio’s representative holds office hours (2-4 p.m.) in the VMC Library to support Veterans in need of federal attention or to pass along ideas to the Senator. Contact Maria Montano on 407-254-2573 for more information. Saturday, Sept. 11 Space Coast Honor Flight returns to operations with 2021 Honor Flights. Check their website at SpaceCoastHonorFlight.org for updated information. Luncheons for SCHF have resumed at several county restaurants (see below). Rockledge Remembering 9/11 Ceremony, 10:30 a.m., at Rockledge City Hub — The 20th Anniversary of the Events on 11 September 2001. Twentieth Anniversary Tribute to Sacrifice, 9/11 and Aftermath, Patriots Day and 9/11 Commemoration at the VMC. Sponsored by Club 1013 Ret NYPD and the VMC. This event marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks on America and almost two decades since America took the fight to enemies in Afghanistan and around the world. It will be a special Patriots Day Remembrance (11 a.m.3:30 p.m. — 5:30-7 p.m.) and Tribute Ceremony (4-5:30 p.m. . Food trucks, vendors and special events in Veterans Memorial Park; Ceremony in the Center and Memorial Plaza area. ONGOING EVENTS Space Coast Honor Flight luncheons. All Veterans and guests are welcome. Meals are at own expense, camaraderie is free. Melbourne — First Tuesday of each month, 11 a.m., Smoky Bones restaurant, 1510 West New Haven. Merritt Island — First Thursday of each month, 11 a.m., Red Lobster restaurant, 215 East Merritt Island Causeway.
CALENDAR Please visit www.VeteranVoiceWeekly.com to submit Calendar events at least 2 weeks in advance, so that we may ensure your events receive timely publication. Sebastian — Third Tuesday of each month, 11 a.m., Capt. Hiram’s restaurant, 1606 N. Indian River.
4230 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne. For more information, call (321) 2549885.
Titusville — Third Thursday of each month, 11 a.m., Dixie Crossroads, 1475 Garden St.
Jobs available in Brevard County, via Jobs: www.careersourcebrevard. com – for local locations, visit www. employflorida.com for job listings.
Warbird Air Museum Fly-in Breakfast, second Saturday of the month, 8-10:30 a.m., Warbird Air Museum, 6600 Tico Road, Titusville. NEW Drive-in GUEST Costs: Between 8-10 a.m., fly-in and drivein traffic can pay $12 per person (no additional discounts) at the gift shop and they can enjoy both the breakfast, which includes delicious pastries, fresh fruit, breakfast meats, made to order omelets, and more — and tour the museum. For children (ages 5-12) not eating breakfast, $5 to enter and tour the museum. Wrist bands will be issued to indicate who can participate in the breakfast. The breakfast is also open to the public as Museum visitors can also attend. Breakfast for visitors is free with paid admission to the Warbird Air Museum. Please RSVP by phone or email. The phone number is (321) 268-1941 and the email address is Warbirds@valiantaircommand.com. VFW Post 8191 monthly work day, first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.-noon. This is a reminder to post members and an invitation to Auxiliary members to join us. We will do whatever tasks the House Committee Chairman/Canteen Manager/Commander/President have in mind that don’t require extensive skills. Tasks can include cleaning the kitchen and deep fat fryer, replacing the electrical cord on the bingo machine, replacing some baseboard black plastic pieces, placing a few more signs in our storage lot, etc. on an as-necessary basis. For more info, visit vfw8191.org. Monthly meeting, Brevard Veterans Council, second Wednesday of the month, 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Every Wednesday, second drink free, VFW Post 8191, noon to 2 p.m., 4120 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, for those who wear a VFW 8191 logo hat, shirt or beer cozy. Reduced bar specials. Monthly meeting, VFW Post 8191, third Monday of the month, 6 p.m.,
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ONGOING EVENTS BookWorm Podcast and Radio Show, hosted by Ralph Nathan Oko, airs Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. EST on REAL Radio 101.7 FM and Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. EST on WAXE Radio 107.9 FM and 1370 AM. Podcasts will be available on iHeart Radio. Interview guests will include authors, publishers, editors, readers, booksellers and store owners, scholars and bibliophiles. Ralph Nathan Oko is currently booking interviews. To secure a guest spot, suggest a book to review, an author to interview or for sponsorship information, connect with Ralph Nathan Oko at (954) 557-6226 or RalphOko@hotmail.com. Monthly meeting, Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County, first Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m. at VVIRC Office, 696 8th Court, Vero Beach. For more information email VVIRC at vvirc@comcast.net, or at our website VVIRC.org. You can also call us at (772) 794-0005. *** IMPORTANT NOTICE *** The USN Armed Guard/Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII Museum has temporarily closed due to COVID-19; however, the expenses are ongoing. We would greatly appreciate a donation from you and/or someone that you know who might be interested in helping to keep the Museum open and the story of the USN AG/MM alive. Donor names will be listed on the Museum Honor Roll for all to see. To receive a donation form, please contact C.F. “Korky” Korker, President, phone: 772-571-0230, or E-mail: korkykorker@gmail.com U.S. Navy Armed Guard World War II Veterans, monthly breakfast meeting, third Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. at Marsh Landing Restaurant, 44 North Broadway, Fellsmere. Interesting and informa-
tive speakers at each meeting. Please try and get to the restaurant early so you can get your order in before the kitchen gets busy. A lot of work was accomplished over the summer at the USNAG & MM Museum. Come and enjoy the camaraderie of your old buddies and meet some new ones. Everyone is welcome at our meetings, so please bring a friend. For anybody that needs a ride to the meetings, please call Korky at (772) 571-0230. Please note: Meetings are held September through May. There are no meetings June through August. Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 318, meets first Thursday of the month, 11 a.m.-noon, at Vero Beach Veterans, Inc. 2500 15th Avenue, Vero Beach. Monthly meeting, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1038, 6 p.m., second Wednesday of the month, Victory Center Military Store in the Vero Mall. For more information email vva1038@yahoo. com or www.vvachapter1038.org or call 772-562-8794. Monthly meeting, American Legion Post 39, second Monday of the month, 1535 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach. E-board meeting begins at 6 p.m., followed by general membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monthly meeting, Veterans Council of Indian River County, first Wednesday of the month, 1 p.m., County Administration Complex, Building B. Monthly meeting, Indian River Detachment of Marine Corps League, fourth Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., at the Victory Center in Indian River Mall. PTSD Support And Recovery meetings, every Monday, 7 p.m., Dogs For Life Administration Building, 1230 16th Avenue, Vero Beach. Military licensed health professionals are facilitators. For more information, contact Dogs For Life Service Dog Training Center at (772) 567-8969 or visit www.dogsforlifevb.org.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY ONGOING EVENTS Monthly Meeting, Military Officer’s Association of Port Lucie County, all officers from all branches of service are invited to meet fellow officers and learn latest military news. For information call Col. Martin Rosen at 772-233-0691. Air Force Sergeants Association, Elmer Andrews Chapter 564, meets on the first Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and
See CALENDAR page 8
VETERAN VOICE • JULY 29, 2021 • 3
A decade of waiting Twists and turns on the road to Copas Home fruition Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
It took no time for Veterans advocates to broach a seventh state Veterans home right after the opening the of the sixth. That was the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine, which opened in 2010. The Florida Veterans Council — an umbrella group of Veterans organizations — and others were grateful for the 120 beds the Lassen home added to Veterans nursing care in the Sunshine State. But, they said, more were needed and urged the Florida Legislature to start the process to building the next home right away. Of course, in 2010 the nation was still in the grips of an economic slump and slow recovery following the Great Recession. The legislature took to the 2013 session to start the site-selection process for opening the next home. That home, the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie, will have its Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony at the end of August ending a decade-long wait. Residents will be allowed in after that. The first six homes opened from 1993 to 2010.
Things get going During its 2013 session, the Florida Legislature approved about $100,000 for an independent study to determine whether a new Veterans nursing home was needed, and if so where it should go. Early in 2014, then-Gov. Rick Scott — who’s since become a U.S. Senator — and the Florida Cabinet considered the study done by Health Strategies. Scott and the cabinet opted to send letters to the top 10 counties the study identified as good places for Veterans homes requesting letters of interest back from them. Eight, including St. Lucie County, put in to have the next state Veterans nurs-
Photo by Mary Kemper The Ardie R. Copas Veterans Nursing Home, Tradition, will be ready to welcome residents following its dedication ceremony Aug. 27.
ing home. The governor and cabinet created a site-selection committee to tour the eight proposed sites. In the spring of 2014, the site-selection committee toured the 28-acre location the Tradition Land Company in Port St. Lucie donated to St. Lucie County to bolster its bid to get the next 120- to 128-resident home.
Things move in St. Lucie’s favor A few weeks later, the site-selection committee picked St. Lucie County. The state Veterans Department was going to recommend that the governor and cabinet approve the site and get started building a Veterans nursing home. But, the committee picked St. Lucie by a paper-thin margin over Marion. Collier County was also near the top in the committee’s scores. If business had gone as usual, the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs, FDVA, would have recommended St. Lucie County to the Florida Cabinet, which would have approved it, and that would have been that.
But the proposed Veterans home became an apple of discord in Central and South Florida. Marion and Collier counties’ legislative delegations put brakes on the cabinet’s decision and fought for the home to the end. That delayed the cabinet vote. Collier and Marion counties dropped their opposition after a couple of months, and at its September, 2014, meeting, the cabinet approved constructing the proposed home in St. Lucie. In December that year, Steve Murray, communications director at the FDVA, stood in Port St. Lucie and predicted a groundbreaking for the home within a year. In the meantime, the state opened a naming nomination process. All state Veterans nursing homes are named after Medal of Honor recipients who have ties to their local areas. The public submitted a couple of names. Valor 24 Medal of Honor recipient Ardie R. Copas was an immediate community favorite.
Things get stuck That year Murray predicted came and passed.
Then another. By early 2016, the state Veterans department was mostly done designing the facility. But, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs was in the middle of adopting new design standards for state Veterans nursing homes Florida would now have to meet. The feds paid for about 65 percent of construction, so the home had to meet its standards to get that money. The state cried foul. The state insisted that it’d made its proposed designs based on standards in effect when it filed the grant application for the federal funds. The feds, at first, replied, “No dice.” The dispute put into question whether the home would get built at all. The new design standards the feds insisted on not only undid all the design work the state had done, but it raised the overall projected cost of the project from about $38 million to $58 million. That meant the state’s 35 percent share of construction costs went up, too. The Florida Legislature had to approve the increase, and it usually meets
See FRUITION page 11
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Commemorating Purple Heart Day
WWII hero shares battle tales with young Army paratroopers Army Maj. Jason Welch
FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
- Photo courtesy of Lewis Jones The Martin County Board of County Commissioners, on July 13, issued a proclamation recognizing Purple Heart Day (which is officially Aug 7). Martin County is a Purple Heart county and is one of the most Veteran-friendly counties, issuing proclamations recognizing Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day, and Purple Heart Day. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1041 members Bill Isadore (L), and Bob Rydzewski (R) accepted the proclamation from County Commission Chair Stacey Hetherington.
A weekly newspaper about veterans issues, organizations, events and our military heroes. Veteran Voice is published weekly by Veteran Voice, LLC. 900 SE Ocean Blvd, STE D232, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 247-0123 Office LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISING (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River & Brevard) Frankie Agosto or Tori Spoth 407-286-0807 Legal notices may be emailed to: legal@flalegals.com (please note county in the subject line) SUBSCRIBE TODAY $18 YEAR (52 weeks) $12 Veterans or Active Military For more information on distribution and subscriptions of this newspaper, please call our main office (772) 247-0123 or contact us by email at: subscribe@VeteranVoiceWeekly.com POSTAL STATEMENT Veteran Voice (USPS# 9749, ISSN 23302267) is published weekly by Veteran Voice LLC, 900 SE Ocean Blvd, STE D232, Stuart, FL 34994-3501 Periodicals Postage Paid at Stuart, FL 34994 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Veteran Voice LLC, PO Box 1487, Stuart FL 34995-1487
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World War II paratrooper, machine gunner, Bastogne legend, and storyteller, Vincent Speranza, visited the Spartan Brigade at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, last week. Speranza served with H Company, 501st Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, and fought during the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne and then in Germany before the war ended. He traveled to JBER to meet with and share stories with the Paratroopers of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, an infantry battalion that traces its roots to Speranza’s unit and is currently part of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, at JBER. “It’s hard for me, a
private first class, to give leadership advice to Soldiers that are already more senior,” said Speranza. “But I can share my experiences and tell it like it was on the battlefield.” The Spartan Brigade is the only airborne infantry brigade combat team in the Arctic and Pacific theaters, providing the combatant commander with the unique capability to project an expeditionary force by air.
Young paratrooper at Bastogne Speranza was drafted in 1943 as an infantryman and volunteered for parachute school after seeing an airborne training jump for the first time. When German forces broke through Allied lines during the Battle of the
See TALES page 10
Veteran Voice would like to give a special thanks to
CHARLES H. STRINGER of CAPE CANAVERAL, FL
for sponsoring 5 veterans with a year-long subscription to Veteran Voice. To sponsor veterans in your community visit our website at: www.VeteranVoiceWeekly.com
VETERAN VOICE • JULY 29, 2021 • 5 Shyrell Copas-Herrera received her father’s Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on March 18, 2014. He was among the Valor 24 Medal of Honor recipients. The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home will have its long-awaited Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony on Aug. 27. It’ll be the seventh state Veterans nursing home in Florida.
Photo courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library/ Wikimedia Commons
Hometown hero's namesake facility opens Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
After a six-year wait, the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing will have its Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony at the end of August. “We’ll have several of the key dignitaries, including members of the Copas family, to help raise the flag,” said Steve Murray, communications director at the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs. The Port St. Lucie Veterans nursing home is named in honor of Fort Pierce native Ardie R. Copas, one of the storied Valor 24 Medal of Honor recipients. His name is one of the 58,318 that appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Constitution Gardens section of the National Mall. His name is on Panel 10W Line 23.
Ardie R. Copas Copas was belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014 for actions taken to protect fellow Soldiers on May 12, 1970, near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambo-
dia. The 19-year-old was in his first year of service. Copas was born in the seaside city on Aug. 29, 1950. He joined the Army under the Selective Service on June 18, 1969. He became a member of the 25th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry — Bobcats — C Company. The machine-gunner’s Medal of Honor citation narrates that his unit was “attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and automatic weapons.” “As Specialist Four Copas began returning fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking him to the ground and injuring four American Soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, Specialist Four Copas quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents.” Copas maintained “a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated.” He kept up the suppressive fire as his unit pulled back until he was fatally wounded.
“Specialist Four Copas’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.” He’s interred at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce. His gravestone notes that he’s a Medal of Honor recipient.
Valor 24 Copas was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Distinguished Service Cross among other medals. Why he didn’t receive the Medal of Honor until 44 years after his extraordinarily valiant actions is open to a lot of speculation. The Defense Authorization Act of 2002 directed the Department of Defense to review cases of servicemembers who’d received the Distinguished Service Cross who might have been passed over for the Medal of Honor due to race. Researchers identified eight from the Vietnam War. In addition to Copas, Brevard
County’s Melvin Morris was among those eight. On March 18, 2014, President Barack Obama presented Copas’ Medal of Honor to Shyrell Copas-Herrera, his daughter. She later told Veteran Voice that growing up, older family members always said her father was a hero. Receiving his Medal of Honor, she said, was a powerful confirmation of the family’s pride in Copas. Murray said Copas-Herrera will raise the flag over the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home.
Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony The Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony will be on Aug. 27, starting at 10:30 a.m. The state Veterans department is specifically inviting people who’ve been involved in getting the home built, but the ceremony is open to the public. Seating will be limited. The home is at 13000 (10700) SW Tradition Parkway. The home will start accepting residents in the weeks after the open house.
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Weekly Briefs Peruvian Marine Corps hosts 2nd amphibious conference The Peruvian Marine Corps hosted the second annual Multinational Amphibious Planners Conference at the new International Amphibious Training Center on July 16. Partner nation naval infantry representatives from Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, and the United States gathered at the newly established International Amphibious Training Center to share experiences, tactics, and lessons learned related to amphibious operations. The collection of regional partners briefed and discussed topics on amphibious capabilities, emerging threats, and organizational changes and challenges, all of which allowed participants to share institutional knowledge to enhance partners’ capabilities throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region.
Navy’s 6th Fleet kicks off Exercise Shark Hunt 2021 Commander, Task Force 69 (CTF69) kicked off Exercise Shark Hunt 2021, a multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercise being held in the Northern Atlantic, July 23. Download Icon Download Led by the U.S. Sixth Fleet undersea warfare commander, this year’s iteration features three Allied submarines, four surface ships, including the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), and seven aircraft from four countries. Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States will participate this year.
Shark Hunt develops complex and challenging warfare capabilities to enhance the participants’ interoperability and proficiency in air, surface, and subsurface anti-submarine warfare skills.
Air Force’s ‘Flying Jennies’ undertake training in Alaska Leaving the heat, humidity and rain of the south and heading north for cooler temperatures, the 815th Airlift Squadron put their Reserve Airmen to the test in Alaska with both the temperatures and the terrain, July 13-16. Working with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Airborne, 25th Infantry Division, the 815th AS provided airlift for more than over 1,300 paratroopers for three days, as well as airdrops for heavy equipment on the fourth day, during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Hauling cargo, conducting airdrop and airlift is the mission of the 815th AS, the Flying Jennies, but their training is normally performed in locations similar to their home station at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, using the C-130J Super Hercules.
Army creates new crisis team to aid Soldiers in PCS moves The Army is addressing service members’ PCS (permanent change of station) issues this summer with a newly created crisis action team, or CAT, that meets daily. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, military families are facing challenges created by national shortages of moving trucks and drivers. From April 1 through Sept. 30, a period
Army leaders call the “summer surge,” more than 54,000 people will move from one duty station to another. In response, leaders with the U.S. Army Materiel Command and its major subordinate command, U.S. Army Installation Management Command, have created a PCS Moves CAT. Similar action was taken two years ago when Army leaders tackled on-base housing problems.
Senegalese Soldiers visit Joint Readiness Training Center Senegalese soldiers visited the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La., July 22 to observe training conducted by the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and its supporting elements during rotation 21-08.
The delegation included Col. Simon Sarr, deputy commander of Operations in Senegal; Lt. Col. Ali Mime, second in command for direction of transmission signal; Maj. Omar Faye, second in command for Senegal Headquarters; Maj. Mathieu D Sambou, commandant de CET 7; Maj. Ibraham Diaw, second-in-command for the Airborne Battalion; Maj. Ibrahima Cisse, commander for Logistical Headquarters, and Sgt. 1st Class Boubacar Ba, 1st Sgt. of the Commando Battalion. The knowledge they gained during this JRTC rotation will help improve their military forces and structure, said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Landestoy. Landestoy, assigned to the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, helped lead a tour of the simulated combat zone at JRTC. The Senegalese were able to see the spectrum of operations, from the initial planning to the execution of combat missions.
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Thank you for your service
The following veterans from the Veteran Voice readership who have recently passed away:
• ROY J. “SKIP” BREWER Jr., AIR FORCE, VIETNAM • ONI E. HUNT, NAVY • FREDERICK MARK ZELMER, NAVY • SCOTT RAYMOND HALL, MARINE CORPS • JOHN MICHAEL THANASIU, ARMY • RICHARD EUGENE RICKERT, ARMY • SGT. HARVEY ENGEL, MARINE CORPS, WWII/KOREA • ROY SHERMAN PERROTT Jr., NAVY • PETER TORRES, ARMY, KOREA • FREDERICK ALBERT SKOVE, NAVY
Submit your Letter to the Editor Letters@VeteranVoiceWeekly.com
Veteran Voice thanks ‘Our Veterans Voice’ radio program for furnishing the names of the fallen veterans in our readership.
VETERAN VOICE • JULY 29, 2021 • 7
‘It’s not about me’ This time, it is about Roy Brewer, a Veteran who gave so much to St. Lucie County
Roy Brewer (left), then United Veterans of St. Lucie County, Inc. Vice Chairman, stands next to one of the vans he helped procure to transport Veterans to medical appointments. With him are, from left, the sales representative of the van’s dealership, former UVSLC Chairman Dan DePagnier and Wayne Teegardin, former St. Lucie County Veteran Services Officer.
Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
“It’s not about me, it’s about the Veterans.” This was a favorite saying of Roy J. Brewer Jr., an Air Force Veteran of Vietnam who just passed away recently. In a quiet way, Roy left a lasting mark on St. Lucie County, which I hope will be remembered for a very long time. We all know guys like Roy, and we all know how few of them there truly are — those who give of themselves so tirelessly, who are good at organizing, who see the job through, because they care so deeply. Because I knew Roy, I’d like to shine a spotlight on him here, and share some of the great projects he undertook with the United Veterans of St. Lucie County (UVSLC).
Roy’s background Details about Roy’s earlier years can be found in his obituary. He was very closemouthed about himself, so I’m only now finding them out. Some excerpts: “He was born on September 1, 1942 to the late Roy J. and Evelyn Brewer in St. Clair, Michigan. He married Nancy Brown-Arnold-Brewer on February 6, 1998 in Marine City, Michigan, and they enjoyed 23 years of marriage. He attended Marine City High School and joined the United States Air Force in June of 1961. Roy served two tours in Vietnam and one in Panama. “Roy had a love for airplanes and enjoyed 20 ½ years in various fields of aircraft maintenance. He retired from the Air Force in December of 1981 with the rank of Master Sergeant. “He was a deputy sheriff in Wichita Falls, Texas for many years. He was then hired by the Air Force as a civilian to teach aircraft maintenance. He left Texas in 1997 and returned to Marine City. In his twilight years, Roy and Nancy lived in Port St. Lucie, Florida for 18 years.” www.bowerrosefuneralhome.com/obituary/roy-brewer-jr
St. Lucie Co. Veteran stalwart Dianne Robbins, former Secretary of the UVSLC: “Roy was associated with UVSLC when it officially became a non-profit Florida corporation, by articles filed with Tallahassee on September 22, 2011. Prior to
Photo courtesy of Pam and Bob Dadiomoff
that date it was simply an organization. “[The late] Ron Knepshield served as Chairman of the new corporation for the balance of 2011 through 2013 and was succeeded by Dan Depagnier in 2014 and 2015 (term of office stated in the by-laws at that time was 2 years). Roy served as Dan’s vice chairman in 2014-2015, and I joined the group as Secretary, succeeding [the late] Donna Carlsen, in late 2014. “Roy took over the chairmanship from Dan in late 2015 and served until he retired and moved to Texas in July of 2018. He was followed by Richard Vassar in 2018; I retired shortly thereafter.”
Roy’s projects County vans for Veterans From 2014, when UVSLC applied for and received a federal grant to replace their Veteran-assisting vans to transport them to medical appointments, Roy was key in making the new vans a reality. With the aid of funds from the UVSLC’s annual Golf Classic, future new van replacements would be taken care of against the day when they would be needed. The vans were leased to St. Lucie County to be operated by the county Veterans’ Services Office. In August 2015, all new vans were on the road and helping Veterans. Roy wrote an article for Veteran Voice praising the vans’ drivers (according to Dianne Robbins, there are still some of the original drivers serving to this day.)
Ardie R. Copas Veterans Home From the first plans to lobby for St. Lucie County to be the site of a new nursing facility for Veterans (please see Copas Home story series, this issue, by Patrick McCallister), to groundbreaking, Roy was a tireless UVSLC committee member, working side by side with county officials like Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson, in pursuit of the goal. When the federal government changed the standards requirements on the home, causing a sizable leap in county-borne costs, Roy sent a torrent of letters to officials objecting to that action. When groundbreaking finally came, Roy helped ensure the UVSLC raised funds so that Ardie Copas’ family from Tennessee could attend. Roy and his wife, Nancy, had planned to attend the dedication ceremony, slated for Aug. 27. Gold Star Families Monument Roy became active with the Medal of Honor Foundation, of which Hershel “Woody” Williams is director. Williams, a Marine, is the oldest surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. According to the UVSLC website: “[In 2017] Vice Chairman Roy Brewer and Gold Star Mothers [of the Treasure Coast] Linda Schumann and Karen Zook traveled to Tampa to attend a Gold Star Families Memorial dedication. Within a few months a Gold Star Families Monument Committee was formed and work
See BREWER page 11
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CALENDAR from page 2
November at 12:30 p.m., DAV Hall Post 113, 1150 California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information, call (772) 342-2653. Welcome Korean Defense Vets — Monthly Meeting, Korean War Veterans Treasure Coast Chapter 106, third Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. at the Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St. Lucie. Come early and enjoy coffee and donuts with your fellow Vets. For more information, contact Harold Trieber at (561) 568-9347. Monthly meeting, Vietnam Veterans of America Michael F. Bradley Chapter 566, St. Lucie County, third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., DAV Hall, 1150 SW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information call (772) 359-1607. Monthly meeting, Seabee Veterans of America Island X-10, American Legion Post 40, 810 S US 1, Fort Pierce, fourth Saturday of the month. For all Seabee Veterans living in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. Meeting at 11 a.m. For information contact Vice Commander Paul Wilson at (772) 2090570, email toolie1@comcast.net. United Veterans of St. Lucie County, Inc., meeting, second Friday of the month, 9 a.m., DAV Post 113, 1150 California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Bingo, every Friday, 6:45 p.m., DAV Chapter 113, 1150 S.W. California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Come on out and enjoy some fellowship, help benefit area Veterans and have fun at the same time. For more information, email clavalle567@att.net. Monthly meeting, Jack Ivy 666 Detachment, Marine Corps League, first Monday of the month, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 318, 1000 Savannas Club Blvd., Port St. Lucie. All Marines, Navy corpsmen and chaplains welcome.
Bi-monthly meetings, Air Force Sergeants’ Association, Chapter 564 (January, March, May, July, September, November), 12:30 p.m., DAV Hall Post 113, 1150 SW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information, call (772) 342-2653. American Legion Post 318 Honor Guard meets bi-monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., 1000 Savanna Club Road, Port St. Lucie. Meetings usually last about an hour. Anyone interested is joining the Honor Guard may attend a meeting to see if this is something of which you would be proud to be a part. Monthly meeting, DAV Chapter 113, third Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., 1150 SW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information, call (772) 3422653.
MARTIN COUNTY DATED EVENTS House A Vet, Stuart: Wednesday, Aug. 4 Noon-2 p.m., TD Bank Lunch and Learn – Topic: Banking for your Lifestyle Wednesday, Aug. 25 Noon-2 p.m., TD Bank Lunch and Learn – Topic: Ways to Avoid Financial Exploitation ONGOING EVENTS Every Monday House A Vet hosts Bingo at Tako Tiki, 3340 NE Pineapple Ave, Jensen Beach. Pull tabs start at 2:30 p.m. Bingo 3 -6 p.m. Cash Prizes. Visit houseavet.org for more information. Every Wednesday Hot Meals provided from noon-2 p.m. (Catered by local restaurants. Visit houseavet.org or call 772-678-8149 for details.) A VA Representative will be available at House A Vet from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to
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assist with Veteran Services (bring I.D.) 3rd Wednesday – Free Hair Cuts provided for Veterans, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 4th Wednesday – Camaraderie with fellow Veterans. Wednesday Lunch and Learns – noon-2 p.m., provided by Humana, TD Bank and Career Source. Schedule varies. Open to all Veterans that wish to attend. Please visit houseavet. org for more information or call 772678-8149. Every Thursday and Sunday House A Vet hosts bingo at Charlie’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Stuart. Cash prizes are awarded immediately. Visit houseavet.org for more information. Weekly Food PantryHours of Operation: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p,m., Friday, By Appointment Only. Pantry contains non-perishable food items, toiletries, frozen meat and fresh food. And lastly, Gun Raffle, his and her SCCY CPX-1 9mm handguns. Tickets on sale for $5 each. Only 750 tickets will be sold. Must be 21 and be able to pass FDLE background. Purchase tickets at any House A Vet event or at the House A Vet office during office hours. All proceeds to benefit House A Vet. Drawing to be held once all 750 tickets have been sold. Date to be announced. To volunteer or drop off donations, House A Vet is located at 490 Monterey Road, Stuart, 772-6788149, email: Houseavet.org@gmail. com. Please visit our website to get event updates and information. Also, please like and follow us on Facebook. The Road To Victory Military Museum, a not for profit 501(c)(3) museum run by volunteers, is open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and weekdays by appointment, for individuals, groups, and school classes upon request. The RTVMM is located at 319 SE Stypmann Blvd., Stuart, within Memorial Park. The museum collects & displays Veteran memorabilia, military artifacts, weapons, and vehicles. Please call 772-210-4283 to leave a message or call 703-8354166 to schedule an appointment. All military-related donations are appreciated. Free admission, but donations are always appreciated. Volunteers are needed and encouraged. Please give us a call if interested. Reverence Motorcycle Association Inc., first Thursday of the month, 6 p.m., Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge, 1001 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart. For more info please contact: Scott Guntz at RevRidersTC@Gmail.com.
Monthly meeting, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1041, first Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Sewall’s Point Town Hall. Monthly meeting, AMVETS Post 92, second Sunday of the month, noon, 747 NE Dixie Hwy., Jensen Beach. Post activities include: Taco Thursdays, starting at 6 p.m., 2 tacos for $5 or 1 burrito for $6. “Show Me the Money,” bingo, Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Monday Crockpot Lunch with Kim, Karaoke, 7-11 p.m. Sunday Brunch, 8 a.m.-noon.
VOLUSIA COUNTY ONGOING EVENTS Monthly meeting, first Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Walt Zack Memorial American Legion Post 270, 119 Howes St., Port Orange. For more information call (386) 788-6800 or email americanlegionpost270fl@ gmail.com. Monthly meeting, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048, third Thursday of the month, 6 p.m., social hour at 5 p.m. at VFW Post 3282, 5830 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange. For more information call 386-441-6022. Pool and poker, every Tuesday, 6 p.m., VFW Post 3282, 5810 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange. Canteen hours, VFW Post 8093, 351 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd., DeBary: Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – midnight; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Happy hours: 7 days a week from 3- 6 p.m. Canteen telephone number is (386) 668-8640. Acupuncture for Veterans, available on both east and west sides of county: On the East Side: Veterans Acupuncture Clinic 112 Orange Avenue, Ste. 204, Daytona Beach, (386) 944-5855 every Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. On the West Side: Volusia Military Acupuncture Project, Deland Lions Club, 400 North Garfield Avenue, Deland, from 6-9 p.m. Contact is Mackenzie Muir at (386) 848-0035.
SEMINOLE COUNTY ONGOING EVENTS Monthly meeting, VFW Post 10139, third Monday of the month, 7 p.m., 300 Lake Mills Ave., Chuluota. Please submit event information in Word document or plain text in an email to info@Veteranvoiceweekly.com at least two weeks in advance, so that we may ensure your events receive timely publication.
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A look at Florida’s Veterans homes Homes named after storied Medal of Honor recipients include the first of World War II, one who was homeless, and another who was the child of immigrants things with the residents. Organizations associated with NASCAR have given residents days at the races at the Daytona Beach International Speedway.
Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
In 1988 voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment creating the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs. The Florida Cabinet agency opened its offices on July 1, 1989. Its largest mission was the create a system of state Veterans nursing homes. The new state Veterans department hit the ground running. By 1990 it’d built and opened an assisted living facility. That was a lot less complicated than building and opening a nursing home, but the department was quickly on that task, too. By 1993 the FDVA opened the first state Veterans nursing home. In the space of 17 years, it opened five more. It’s currently close to opening two. On Aug. 27, the state Veterans department will host the Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony for its seventh nursing home — the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie. In the months following, the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs will be poised to have an open house and flag raising at its eighth home. That’ll be in Orlando, Lake Baldwin. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that the state needs about 4,050 Veterans nursing home beds. It has 870 — counting the ALF beds — now. Copas adds 120. The unnamed home at Lake Baldwin will add 112. All state Veterans nursing homes are named after Medal of Honor recipients who had ties to the areas they’re in. They’re open to Florida residents with honorable discharges who’ve received a certification of need determined by a VA physician.
Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home The Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home was opened in 1990. The 150-bed assisted living facility is at 751 SE Sycamore Terrace, Lake City. Residents must be able to feed and dress themselves, but need some living care. The facility does prepare meals for residents. The home, which is on 20 acres, is named after Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Robert H. Jenkins Jr., who was a Marine. He died shielding a fellow Marines from an enemy’s grenade. The Jenkins home has an on-site bank and barber, among other conveniences. It offers residents transportation for ap-
Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in 1999. The 120-bed facility is at 6919 Parkway Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes. It has a 58-bed dementia unit. The home is named after Korean War Marine Baldomero Lopez, who, when already wounded, shielded unit mates from a grenade by lying on it. The Ybor City native was the son of Spanish immigrants. He volunteered for infantry duty after the outbreak of the Korean War.
Alexander “Sandy” Nininger Veterans’ Nursing Home
Photo courtesy of user COCOAFL on Wikimedia Commons A statue of Medal of Honor recipient Emory L. Bennett is at Riverfront Park in Cocoa. Bennett was born in Volusia County and grew up in Brevard County. The Korean War servicemember was the namesake for Florida’s first state Veterans nursing home, the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach.
pointments and some other things, too. It has different socialization opportunities, including musical events.
Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home On the Veteran Voice coverage area’s northern end, the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in December of 1993. The 120-bed skilled nursing facility is at 1920 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach. The home got a $7 million renovation from 2010 to 2013. The home is named after one of the most well-known Medal of Honor recipients in Florida, Army private Emory L. Bennett. He was born in Volusia, and grew up in Brevard. The Korean War servicemember has numerous things named after him, along with a statue, in the two counties. The northeast Central Florida community is enthusiastic about the Veterans at the Bennett home. Many organizations and volunteers regularly visit and do
Just south of the Veteran Voice coverage area, the Alexander “Sandy” Nininger Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in 2001. The 120-bed facility is at 8401 West Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines. It can accommodate up to 60 residents with dementia and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The home is named after the first World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor. Nininger was a member of the Philippine Scouts. He attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy in May of 1941. He shipped out to the Philippines immediately after. The Japanese invaded the Philippines in January of 1942. Nininger was killed on the third day of the Battle of Bataan while leading a counterassault through Japanese lines.
Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home The Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in 2003. The 120-bed facility is at 4419 Tram Road, Panama City. It can accommodate up to 60 residents with dementia and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The home is named after Army Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Sims, who died when he threw himself on a triggered booby-trap device in 1968. Sims was orphaned and homeless at a young age. He reportedly lived in an abandoned school bus at one point. James and Irene Sims adopted him
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when he was 13, and he went on to graduate from George Washington High School.
Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home The Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in 2004. The 120-
bed facility is at 4419 Tram Road, Panama City. It can accommodate up to 60 residents with dementia and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The home is named after Marine Corps Pvt. Douglas T. Jacobson, who was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on Oct. 5, 1945. He stormed 16 enemy positions killing about 75 Japanese on Iwo Jima. After World War II, Jacobson served in the Florida National Guard for about eight months,
but transferred back to his beloved Marine Corps. He moved to Port Charlotte in 1987 after retirement. He died in 2000 at age 74.
Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home The Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home opened in 2010. The 120-bed facility is at 4650 State Road 16, St. Augustine. It can accommodate up to 60 residents with
dementia and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The home is named after Navy aviator Lt. Clyde E. Lassen, who was presented the Medal of Honor on Jan. 16, 1969. He was the first Navy aviator to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery in the Vietnam War. He saved two downed Navy aviators while piloting a rescue helicopter. In his later years, Lassen lived in Pensacola. He died in 1994. The destroyer USS Lassen was commissioned in 2001.
Vincent Speranza, World War II Veteran and machine gunner from the 501st Infantry Regiment, tries out the Engagement Skills Trainer to fire at simulated targets alongside a paratrooper from Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, during a visit with the paratroopers of 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson, Alaska.
Photo by Army 1st Lt. Ben Good
Photo by Army Maj. Jason Welch ABOVE: Vincent Speranza, World War II Veteran and machine gunner from the 501st Infantry Regiment, takes a group photo with junior paratroopers of the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, during a visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, July 15, 2021. Speranza traveled to JBER to meet and share stories about his World War II experiences with the paratroopers of the 1-501st PIR and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, “Spartan Brigade.”
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Bulge in 1944, Speranza and his fellow Paratroopers were trucked to the front lines. They faced extreme cold temperatures and frozen ground – something the Paratroopers of the Alaskan-based 1-501st PIR could relate to after months of training in the harsh Alaskan winter. Like Speranza, Spc. Ryan Lindsley is also a machine gunner, currently assigned
to Comanche Company, 1-501st PIR. “I feel like I relate to him most about the camaraderie and always looking out for each other,” said Lindsley. “No matter how tough things get, there’s always something to look forward to; and in a terrible situation, there’s always some way to find the bright side, to bring out the best in everything.”
‘Airborne beer’ Speranza may be best known for bringing his
wounded comrades a helmet full of beer while besieged in Bastogne. That story led a local brewery in Belgium to create “Airborne Beer,” served in ceramic mugs shaped like American GI helmets. “It’s hard to live up to expectations and fill shoes of that size, of a man who left such a big legacy,” said Lindsley. “When your foxhole buddy wants a beer, you get him a damn beer.” Near the end of the war, Speranza and his fellow paratroopers discovered a Jewish concentration camp
that included mass graves and ovens used to cremate the dead. Speranza said the images and experiences from that day live forever in his mind. When his unit reached Adolf Hitler’s infamous “Eagle’s Nest,” Speranza saw a map depicting the Axis Powers’ plans for post-war victory where the entire globe was divided amongst the German, Italian and Japanese governments. “If anybody ever doubted why we had to fight that war, there it was on the wall,” said Speranza.
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BREWER from page 7
began in earnest. “On February 8, 2016 a ground-breaking ceremony was held at Veterans Memorial Park in Port St. Lucie with Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams as honored guest, and 16 Gold Star Mothers and their families who were provided with gold shovels to break ground. “The project received tremendous support from many Veterans organizations, including the US Marine Corps League, Jack Ivy Det. #666
of Port St. Lucie, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael F. Bradley Chapter 566 of St. Lucie County, and the United Veterans of St. Lucie County, Inc. The annual Golf Classic held in the spring of 2016 earmarked proceeds to support the monument. “The target date of completion of the Memorial was Sunday, September 25, 2016, which is the annual Gold Star Mother recognition day. That date was met and celebrated with a beautiful dedication ceremony attended by hundreds of people.” (www.unitedvetsofslc.org/organization-history) Through the help of the Foundation, whose goal is to
emplace a Gold Star Family monument in every state of the union, Roy helped ensure that Williams himself was the keynote speaker at the dedication. Roy was also instrumental in bringing Williams to county schools to give inspirational talks to children. Roy was an easy-going, humorous and quite opinionated guy — indeed, he had many Letters to the Editor published in Veteran Voice, even after he and Nancy moved to Texas. Always on behalf of fellow Veterans. Even losing one of his legs to illness didn’t slow him down. He enjoyed being part of the UVSLC team, and together
with Ron Knepshield and the indefatigable Dan DePagnier, he was one of its very valued members. I liked and admired Roy, and miss him very much. St. Lucie County Veterans, their families and supporters, will miss him more, I think. (Condolences may be submitted at www.bowerrosefuneralhome. com/obituary/roy-brewer-jr) (I’m indebted to Dianne Robbins, whose assistance was invaluable in furnishing background information on Roy’s life and career as a Veteran advocate. Many thanks go out as well to Roy’s friends and associates Pam and Bob Dadiomoff for providing photos.)
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in 60-day sessions from March to May. The dispute came shortly after May, 2016, so the increased funding couldn’t go into the works for another year — if it did at all. In early 2017, a state delegation was meeting with the then new Secretary of Veteran Affairs who asked if there was anything he could do for Florida. The delegation told Dr. David Shulkin, the first secretary under the President Donald Trump, about the snag with building the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home. He immediately ended the VA’s insistence on the new design standards.
Things get going It took about another year for the state to host a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home. That was on March 20, 2018. Land clearing for 121,000-square-foot facility started in June that year. Opening was projected for the summer of 2020, assuming there were no major hurricanes, or other catastrophic events. Of course, there’d be a catastrophic event. SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. The Florida Department of Health announced the first case of COVID-19 in Florida on March 2 of 2020. The governor issued a state of emergency for all 67 counties on March 9 last year. The pandemic didn’t much
Archival photos courtesy of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs Two aerial images of construction of the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing home show progress from February of 2019 to January of 2021. The home will have its Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony on Aug. 27. It’s the seventh state Veterans nursing home in Florida.
affect actual construction of the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home. But, it did make getting the needed medical and other supplies to open it difficult. It also made hiring medical personnel difficult. Additionally, the state Veterans nursing homes had to stop admitting new patients for most of 2020. Copas would have to wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to wane before it could open.
Vaccinations started rolling out in mid-December last year, and the world started heading to more normalcy after that. The state hired Steven Rule to be the home administrator in March this year. April 1 was his first day. The state’s hired about two dozen more staff members and, at press time, is holding a hiring event for the home. On Aug. 27, at 10:30 a.m.,
the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home will have its Open House and Flag Raising Ceremony. Residents will start filling the Home in the weeks to follow. The state is also wrapping up refurbishment of a former VA nursing home in Orlando to be the eighth state Veterans nursing home. It’ll have 112 beds.