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In An Ideals World

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GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

Families of fallen soldiers continue suffering the loss of their loved ones long after the echo of the rifle shot, mortar shell or bomb has faded.

Often what is left for them is a painful emptiness that cries out for relief and a reminder of why such a sacrifice has been made.

The American Ideals Foundation strives to make that loss and the memory of a soldier's sacrifice as honorable and poignant as possible. Its members also present proclamations to combat personnel, both active and retired.

"We call our effort the Military Heroes Project," said founder Robert Moffa, the driving force of the foundation's leading project.
Moffa is a musician and composer. "I was inspired many years ago to include the arts in promoting the American ideals that our nation was founded on: Hard work, dedication to duty, patriotism and love of family and country are all ideals worth promoting."

In pursuit of those ideals, last month the group traveled nearly 400 miles to the small Panhandle city of Milton, where its members visited a family that lost a son in combat.

"I thought the program was outstanding," said Marvin "Duke" McCall, grandfather of Army Sgt. Daniel McCall, who was killed in Iraq in October 2007.

"Appropriately, it was raining that morning," McCall said. "But 30 minutes before the ceremony began, it stopped. The rain may have kept some people away, but Liane McCall's wife and our family were proud to be there."

Duke McCall and his family contacted Moffa in December and requested the ceremony.

"The Military Heroes Project has taken on a life of its own," Moffa said. "To honor fallen soldiers and their families and to recognize the heroes who are serving our country is a high honor for us."

Moffa's wife, Mercedes Moffa, secretary-treasurer and chief financial officer of AIF, said she is amazed at the number of requests the group receives from military families.

"Bob is very adamant about this project," she said. "His day is consumed in an effort to schedule and produce the next military heroes' event. If we could afford to do it, we have enough requests right now to do one military heroes ceremony each week for a year. The need is overwhelming."
Moffa said he would welcome corporate and individual sponsors.

The journey to Milton began in Plant City on Oct. 23. AIF members gathered at BuddyFreddy's Restaurant for a meeting. Members of the Military Heroes Project then prepared for the drive to Milton.

The motorcade carried awards, artwork by Greg Crumbly, sheet music, a keyboard, video and still cameras, and challenge coins, a metal token carried by American troops since World War I as a unique form of identification.

Donna Gavin Ashley, owner of Aunt Donna's Traveling Butterfly Garden, was part of the entourage, transporting a collection of 17 Florida butterflies for release at the end of the ceremony.

During the memorial event, the McCall family was presented a painting by Crumbly, who is Moffa's son-in-law. The painting is a collage depicting McCall during various stages of his life, from high school athlete to sergeant.

"Greg's painting was wonderful to see," McCall said. "It allows us to remember the old times in Daniel's life. Greg captured his youth. We will forever cherish the painting and hand it down from generation to generation."

Three days later, Moffa and other AIF members gathered at Mimi's Cafe in Lakeland for the weekly meeting of the American Business Inter-Network. While there, Moffa presented a challenge coin and proclamation to the mother of Army Spec. Daniel Stirling, who twice was wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and is back on the battlefront fighting in Iraq.

"Our son is scheduled to leave Iraq for a short break in March," said Cathy Stirling. "Right now he is scheduled to leave Iraq for redeployment in August 2009. From there he will get special training and a new job assignment in Virginia."

Cathy Stirling said she and her husband, Dan, are proud of their son.

"It's very satisfying to see a group like the AIF honoring soldiers and their families," Stirling said. "I must say we are afraid for our son. But we are very proud of his determination to serve and his commitment to his country."

Also recognized was Raymond A. Cerimeli, a World War II merchant marine and Coast Guardsman who later served with the Navy Seabees from 1947 until 1955.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the people in this organization," Cerimeli said. "It will be a pleasure to share this experience with other veterans back home."

Cerimeli, a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 in Syracuse, N.Y., is a charter member of Lakeland's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8002, which he serves as captain of the honor guard and junior vice commander.

The AIF motorcade to Milton was met at the city limits by a motorcycle club of veterans, the Patriot Guard. Upon entering the city's Veteran Park, Moffa was pleased to see members of another group of veterans, the Order of the Purple Heart, surrounding the ceremonial square.

"A circle of American flags surrounded the site," Moffa said. "I was proud to be there. I was happy for the family. And I was proud to be an American."

During the 2 p.m. ceremony, an American flag was presented to Sgt. McCall's grandparents by members of the Milton High School ROTC. Tributes were offered by State Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla, and Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter. A remembrance speech was made by Sgt. McCall's brother, Robin McCall, who came from Texas to attend the ceremony.

Following the unveiling of Crumbley's painting, Moffa performed an original musical tribute to the fallen soldier.

"After talking with members of the family and the fallen soldier's friends, I use their words to create a musical tribute," Moffa said. "To those who know the fallen soldier, the music is like an extension of the spirit."

A poem by the project's Gareth R. Schmacher was read aloud: "There is no way to measure the emptiness we feel each day. Our memories sustain us as we travel along life's way," Schamacher wrote.

The release of the 17 butterflies at the end of the ceremony depicted love, life and a new beginning, Ashley said. "The scene was truly breathtaking and meaningful. Two of the butterflies stayed on the hands of family members even after they were free to fly."

The next night, Moffa performed at a concert at Milton High dedicated to all veterans, but especially to Milton's fallen hero, Sgt. McCall.

For information about the American Ideals Foundation contact Moffa at (813) 641-2513. Web sites are www.free webs.com/militaryheroes project; www.freewebs.com/ aifoundation; www.free webs,com/robertmoffa; and www.gregcrumbly.com.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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