Plant City commemorates the duty and sacrifice of U.S. military members.
BING HOUSE MUSEUM
The Improvement League of Plant City, Community Development Corporation will host its Annual Veteran’s Day Program at the Bing House Museum on November 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A fish fry with sides is on the menu.
The event program features Hampton George, Commander of Clarence W. Byers Sr. Post 83 for the Disabled American Veterans, a nationwide military veterans association. George is a Plant City native who served 28 years in the U.S. Army and who now provides assistance to veterans applying for VA benefits. The Museum address is 205 S. Allen St., Plant City. Veterans are asked to RSVP by calling 813-704-5800.
“I take part in this historic Veterans Day event, because, as a proud Army veteran, I love to hear the stories that are shared.” Tonya Lockhart said. “I love seeing and hearing how proud they all were in serving our beloved country. The Improvement League gives that sense of appreciation to the veterans. Also, this event is an opportunity to connect veterans with the resources that the Improvement League and others have to offer.” Lockhart is the president of the local Zeta Phi Beta chapter, and her group puts together the food for the fish fry.
Though the Bing House Museum was severely damaged during Hurricane Milton, the rear section has been repaired to allow continuation of the veteran’s program until major repairs are completed. Fundraising for the major repairs has reached $325,000 of the $450,000 goal.
KEEL FARMS
Keel Farms salutes veterans, active military, Reserves, and National Guard with a free lunch and a drink on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They can select any entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. Choices include farm-fresh handhelds, salads, or flatbread. Military can pair any of these entrées with a glass of Keel+Curley wine, or Keel Farms Agrarian Ale or Cider, on the house. U.S. veterans and active-duty military simply need to show proof of military service. Clay Keel, Keel Farms owner and President, is honored to offer a free meal to his fellow veterans and active members as a token of his appreciation and to show them they are highly valued. “I know firsthand the sacrifices our military personnel make, and at Keel Farms, we want to honor them on this special day,” he said. “It’s important to me as an Army Reserve Medical Service Corps Officer to make sure all veterans feel valued. After serving for nearly two decades in the National Guard, active-duty Army, and Reserve, including two deployments to Iraq, I look forward every year to sitting down and having lunch and thanking members of our community for their service.”
Proof of service includes any of: a U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card, a U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), a veterans’ organization card (i.e., American Legion, VFW), a DD214, or a citation, or commendation. The limit is one meal and one beverage per U.S. veteran or active-duty military. The offer is valid for dine-in only and is not valid with other coupons or discounts. Keel Farms is located at 5202 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City.
COURIER FIELD
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held on November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Courier Field, adjacent to the Veterans Monument. The park is dedicated to those who have served the country. The program will offer a wreath presentation, and the Strawberry Crest High School JROTC Color Guard will present the colors. The program is dedicated to all veterans to thank them for their service in defending and fighting for the United States of America.
PLANT CITY HONORS VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY
This event happened ON November 2 at Hillsborough Community College’s Trinkle Center. Nearly 600 people filled the room to experience the program. The Plant City High School JROTC presented the colors, and Scouts USA presented military flags. The room recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott made a video specially for this event to praise veterans.
Colonel Richard Glorioso (RET) gave a symbolic table presentation to remember prisoners of war and those missing in action. The words he spoke were, in part, “The table is set for one, standing for one prisoner alone against his oppressors….the single rose signifies the blood they have shed for our country….” Tangled Threads awarded handmade Quilts of Valor to four veterans to thank them for their service and sacrifice to the U.S.A.
Retired Three-Star General William G. Boykin, Executive Vice President for the Family Research Council, served as the keynote speaker. As a part of his presentation, he asked the veterans rise and raise their right hand to retake the military oath of enlistment because it does not have an ending date. Notably, Hillsborough County resident Earl Plumlee joined the event. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his acts of gallantry in combat in Afghanistan in 2013.
The Wooden Spoon provided lunch. Among the corporate sponsors for the event were QGS Development, Suncoast Credit Union, Premier Cinemas, Brown’s Jewelers, and Brewington’s Towing & Recovery.
Suncoast Credit Union is sponsoring a month-long money match, dollar for dollar up to $5,000, for Chad’s Promise, a non-profit organization that cares for veterans’ dogs when a veteran is in treatment. PCPD also made a $500 donation to Chad’s Promise, which was doubled by a matching gift.
“This event was emotionally charged in many ways,” Judy Wise, Elks District Veterans Services Chairman, and energy behind the lunch, said. “Veterans who had been to our event before told me this was the best one yet. There were so many awesome things said and done.”
