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A City Says, 'Thanks'

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

PLANT CITY - Nearly 200 people assembled Monday at the local American Legion hall to honor the country's fallen soldiers.

Sponsored by Norman McLeod Post 26, the annual Memorial Day ceremony attracted veterans of all branches of service, Boy Scouts, Junior ROTC members, family and friends.

They came together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Following patriotic songs, the presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and a memorial prayer, Post 26 Commander Alvin McGary gave a welcoming address.

"We are honored to be a part of the Memorial Day activities these veterans and families shared with us," McGary said later.

Monday's 90-minute ceremony included a roll call of the local veterans who died in the previous year. Three sheets of names were read by Legionnaires Richard Knepp, Don Vanderlaan and Julian Womble. The lists were burned, ceremoniously, one by one, by Junior Army ROTC Commander Lt. Robert Rawls, using a helmet supported by three stacked carbines.

Following a musical interlude of patriotic songs presented by Legionnaire Lee Craighead and Wendy Steele, McGary introduced guest speaker state Rep. Rich Glorioso, a retired Air Force colonel.

Glorioso, a Plant City Republican and former city commissioner, wore his old military uniform and spoke of the freedoms safeguarded by fallen veterans.

He also recalled a Memorial Day ceremony at the post before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"When I was here nine years ago, it was also a beautiful day in Plant City," Glorioso said. "I remember saying how wonderful it was that we were Americans, living in a world at peace.

"Well, it is a beautiful day today; and we are still blessed to be living in America. This is the greatest country in the world. No one shares the freedoms that we enjoy. But we are no longer at peace."

"We are at war. We are not only fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are fighting in 17 countries. We have a military presence all around the world. Make no mistake. The terrorists are everywhere, and they want to destroy us."

Glorioso also talked about the safeguards in the Constitution.

"Each service member and national political official swears to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States," he said. "The freedoms guaranteed to us in that document are what soldiers fight and die for. Anyone who takes that oath should never forget what it means."

"Freedom of religion; freedom of speech; freedom of the press; the right to peaceably assemble and the right to petition and redress the government are freedoms specifically mentioned in the 45 words of the First Amendment," Glorioso said. "On Memorial Day, and every other day, we should remember why our soldiers fight to defend this land."

Glorioso said the "real stars" are the veterans.

"If you are interested in celebrity, don't look to the ball fields, or LA or Hollywood," he said. "Look to the veterans hospitals around our nation and see the wounded veterans being treated there. Men and women around this land are still paying the price for freedom. Those, and the soldiers who didn't make it home, are the stars. Those should be the real celebrities."

Ralph Scott, a former Army infantryman who fought in World War II in Sicily and at Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion, said he thinks of America's fallen soldiers every day.

Scott and his daughter Vanessa, who live in the Country Meadows development, sat at a table following a luncheon provided by the Legionnaires as he recalled his war service.

"June 6, 1944," Scott said. "I'll never forget that day. Omaha Beach was one hell of a fight. Bullets were flying everywhere. It was a bloody mess."

During the fight to take control of Omaha Beach, a stretch of heavily guarded shoreline north of Normandy, more than 1,000 invading American soldiers were killed.

"A lot of my comrades were killed as they left the landing craft," Scott said. "Many of them didn't even reach the beach. All we could do was run and try to find someplace to get out of the line of fire. Many were horribly wounded during the invasion.

"We were sitting ducks. I was lucky I made it. We were all just trying to reach cover and stay alive. It took all day but eventually we were able to go over the top and take it to the Germans. Once we had them on the run, we didn't let up. We went after them and drove them back.

"Every day I think of the ones that didn't make it," Scott said.

Former city Commissioner and Mayor John Dicks, who is running for Congress, said he was impressed with the ceremony at the post on Baker Street.

"Memorial Day is a solemn and proper occasion for us to honor those who fought and died for our country. It's always good to see the veterans and their families who attend these times of remembrance."

McGary, the post commander, praised those who helped make the ceremony a success.

"The volunteers at the post did a terrific job planning and organizing the event. We also want to thank Boy Scout Troop 5 and the Junior ROTC unit from Plant City High School."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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