35 cents
VOL. 4/ISSUE 48
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016
Leap Frogs drop in at Stuart Air Show Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
pmccallister@veteranvoiceweekly.com
Bad guys don’t get to see Navy SEALs parachuting in, but folks at the Stuart Air Show will. Among this year’s offerings will be the Leap Frogs, the U.S. Navy Parachute Team. “This is the 27th year of the airshow,” Susan Cunnane, director of development and events, said. “It’s the largest event on the Treasure Coast.” The Leap Frogs, the Navy Parachute Team, is made up of active-duty members of Naval Special Warfare, including the storied SEALs whose earliest ancestors trained in Fort Pierce during World War II. Fitting then that the airshow will have World War II battle re-enactments with an unusual addition. “We also have a World War II demonstration (paratrooper) team,” Cunnane said. “They’ll jump during battle re-enactment right into the battle.” With round chutes similar to those used in the 1940s. The history will keep coming at the Stuart Air Show. “We have the Trojan Horsemen coming,” Cunnane said. The Trojan Horsemen fly North American Aviation T-28s. The Air Force and Navy used T-28 Trojans for trainers. The plane got the chance to prove itself in combat in Vietnam. Additionally, the Central Intelligence Agency used the Trojan for various missions. Along with history at the airshow, there’ll be some of the planes that display America’s military prowess today. “We have the F-16, the F-18 and MiG-17,” Cunnane said. The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon — which is now made by Lockheed Martin — has been in use since the mid-70s. The
See AIR SHOW page 2
Staff photo by Mary Kemper
Retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, sole surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, was the keynote speaker at the Sept. 25 dedication of the Treasure Coast Gold Star Mothers and Families Monument at Veterans Memorial Park, Port St. Lucie. Here, Williams helps unveil the monument.
Hundreds gather to help dedicate Gold Star Family memorial Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
A huge crowd gathered Sept. 25 at Veterans Memorial Park in Port St. Lucie to help dedicate the Treasure Coast Gold Star Mothers and Families Memorial Monument. Hundreds of members of veterans’ organizations, dignitaries, families, friends and supporters gathered to honor families whose children paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. —The keynote speaker and honored guest was Hershel “Woody” Williams, the sole surviving Medal of Honor recipient of the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. He is the head of the Medal of Honor Foundation, which has as its ongoing project the emplacement of Gold Star Family monuments in all 50 states. Florida has proven the exception —
the Treasure Coast monument is the state’s second (the other is in Tampa). The masters of ceremony were Air Force veterans Roy Brewer and Vernon “Wally” Walentiny. Attending dignitaries included members of the Port St. Lucie City Council and St. Lucie County Commissioners. First responders included St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Lucie Police, and county Fire and Rescue units. Port St. Lucie Rabbi Dr. Shafir Lobb of Congregation Eitz Chayim and Gold Star Father Clay Schumann gave the invocations. Music was provided by the Port St. Lucie Community Band, under the direction of Dr. John K. Southall. The Colors were presented by members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 566,
See MEMORIAL page 8