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Members Of Byrd Family Flying Missions In Persian Gulf

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By BETTY BRIGGS

Tribune correspondent

Published: April 23, 2008

PLANT CITY - Two members of Melane and Johnnie B. Byrd Jr.'s family are serving in the Navy in the Persian Gulf.

Lt. Melane Anne Byrd, their daughter, an F/A-18F Super Hornet pilot, and son-in-law Lt. J.P. Falardeau, also a pilot and the husband of the Byrds' daughter Sherer, are stationed on the USS Truman aircraft carrier.

Both have been flying missions daily in the Persian Gulf area.

Melane Anne Byrd, a 2002 graduate of Plant City High School, is a member of First Baptist Church of Plant City.

Her mother said she hopes to have both pilots home this summer. Johnnie Byrd, a former state House Speaker, practices law in Plant City.

Law Enforcement Academy Cadet Honored

PLANT CITY - Holli Shoffstall of Plant City was among a class of 14 cadets to graduate from the Law Enforcement Academy of the Criminal Justice Institute at Hillsborough Community College.

She received the award of merit in recognition of outstanding performance, professional attitude and leadership qualities. The 26-week training program operates under the auspices of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Shoffstall, a 2002 Plant City High school graduate, received an associate of science degree in audio engineering from Full Sail University in Winter Park in 2003. Her parents are David Shoffstall of Plant City and Adrienne Merola Kerst of Rapid City, S.D. Grandparents are Lois Shoffstall of Plant City and the late Carl Shoffstall, and Blacey and Marie Merola of North Branford, Conn.

She is the second in her family to serve in law enforcement; her great-grandfather Frank Esposito served on the New Haven, Conn., police force from 1923 until his retirement in 1951.

Her mother, formerly of Plant City, is looking forward to moving back east this fall.

"Here in Rapid City, winter keeps coming back on us," she said April 15, preparing for 8 to 10 inches of snow and blizzard conditions. Her husband, Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Kerst, received a promotion recently and it looks like they will be moving to a new base.

Former Local Resident Set For Graduation

PLANT CITY - Jeffery Mays, formerly of Plant City, will graduate May 1 as a lithographer from the Army's School of Geospatial Intelligence.

He is part of the Army's E Company 169th Engineer Battalion.

The graduation ceremony will be at Fort Belvoir, Va.

He is the son of Lakeland resident Larry Mays.

Club Plans Annual Male Achievers Program

PLANT CITY - Males ages 14 to 19 will be recognized at the Jr. Elite Women's Club of Plant City's 12th annual African-American Male Achievers program at 5 p.m. May 18.

The event will be held at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 911 E. Warren St., Plant City.

Club President Sharon Moody encourages participation and support of the scholarship program. For information, call her at (813) 453-7134 or Carolyn Brown at (813) 416-4816.

Unity In The Community Plans Golf Tournament

PLANT CITY - The annual Unity in the Community golf tournament will take place May 2 at the Walden Lake Golf and Country Club.

Joyce Jordan, president of Unity in the Community, reports the organization is in its eighth successful year and raised more than $55,000 last year that went to local charities to help the needy and underprivileged.

She said that money raised in the tournament will go to Meals on Wheels, United Food Bank & Services, Boys & Girls Club and Thanksgiving dinners for 150 to 200 Plant City families.

Jordan asks that residents open up their hearts and donate to this fundraiser.

For information, call Jordan at (813) 752-1275.

Anti-Domestic Violence Group Seeks Volunteers

PLANT CITY - East Hillsborough Friends of The Spring invite the community to learn how to help victims of domestic violence in Hillsborough County.

Volunteers are needed for The Spring's Plant City Outreach Center.

The group would like to start a thrift store. There is a meeting for interested volunteers 1:30 p.m. Monday at the center at 701 Tillman Place. For information, e-mail lshess@thespring.org.

Suggestions To Treat Mom On Her Day

PLANT CITY - Here's a couple of Mother's Day suggestions: Robin Richter, a Creative Memories Plant City consultant, will help you organization your photos and memories into a digital storybook. She offers installation of storybook software and training. Check out her Web site at www.mycmsite.com/robin richter or call her at (813) 500-2819.

Also, Red Rose Inn and Suites, 2011 N. Wheeler St., will have a special buffet on Mother's Day featuring baked ham, roasted turkey and pork, and a flowing pink- and lilac-colored chocolate fountain.

The house band Destiny will entertain.

The cost is $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Seating times are at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Call (813) 752-3141 for information or reservations.

Have an event you would like to see in this column? Send items to Betty Briggs by e-mail at gabylee @tampabay.rr.com or mail to The Tampa Tribune, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563 or fax to (813) 865-4441.

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