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INTRODUCTION PAGE

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."      

--(Inaugural Address - John F. Kennedy - January 20, 1961)

         

Welcome to our Web Site honoring Armed Forces Veterans living at Lexington Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida. The great majority comes from all over the United States of America, but a few are from other nations in the world community. Their period of service spans from World War II through the Persian Gulf War. Some enlisted, some were drafted and some made the military their career. Some endured brutal combat, others served well in vital support roles. All dedicated themselves to one role: To preserve and defend freedom from tyranny wherever it arose. Be thankful that we are a free people, to be able to enjoy the beauty of this GREAT land that surrounds us all.

This Internet Website is also dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of free people everywhere. There were a few veterans who moved to Lexington to live the good life and unfortunately were taken from us too soon. A special memorial page honors them. Finally, we should remember that behind every veteran was a family who endured great worry awaiting their safe return home.

 

Support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan 

Lexington Residents who have or have had relatives in either Iraq or Afghanistan

 

 

 

If you are a Lexington resident & have relative(s) in either war zone please inform Rich Hill at rleehill@comcast.net or Ron Ruff at ruff202@comcast.net so they can be listed on this web site

 

 Wedgewood resident Mariette Present has a son, Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Paul Austin, U.S. Army, who heads up a civil affairs reconstruction brigade in Baghdad & has been in Iraq over a year.

  Wedgewood residents Al & Sandy Stewart's grandson, Sgt. Thomas Ridge of the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army, recently returned to the U.S. after a year in Iraq.  His unit experienced some intense combat.

  Waterford residents Ernie & Rae Smith's nephew, Army Capt. Tyler Lewison & his wife, Army Capt. Katrina Grier Lewison are both Blackhawk pilots and graduates of West Point recently returned to the U.S. after over a year flying tough missions in Iraq.

  Southmont Cove resident Alvin Ott's son, Army Staff Sgt. David Ott  is on assignment as a Warrior Medic in Al Ramadi, Iraq.  He is with A Company 213th Battalion of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. 

David recently received the Combat Medical Badge. The citation reads "For those being present and under hostile fire while serving with a unit actively engaged in ground combat with enemy forces".  David considers it his most meaningful award to date in his years with the military. David returned from Iraq June 2006.

David is also the nephew of Wedgewood residents Bob & Betty Davis.

Southmont Cove residents Frank & Lois Burlingham's granddaughter, 2nd Lt. Megan Beling, USMC,  is on assignment as an Intelligence Officer at Al Assad Airbase, 100 mi. NW of Baghdad Iraq Feb. 14 of 2006. She is married to Ensign Curt Beling USN presently serving aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Megan graduated from the Industrial Engineering School at PSU.  She completed ROTC and was commissioned a 2LT in the USMC in May 2004.

Sutton Walk residents Jim and Wendy Brookover have a son Sgt. James C. Brookover of the 1st Brigade [Striker Brigade Combat Team] 25th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis Washington who returned last fall from a year tour of duty in Mosul Iraq . He and his family just moved to their new assignment in Hawaii.  In the fall of 2008 he will go back to Iraq for a 3rd tour.

Sommerset Villas residents Ben and Millie Polk's son, Morgan, a Major in the USMC and on special assignment to the Dept of Defense, has been assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) for duty in Afghanistan.

Sutton Walk residents Jim and Wendy Brookover's  son 1st Lt. James C. Brookover is back in Iraq for his 3rd tour there.  He is a platoon leader in the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 3-4th Calvary Regiment from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. They are stationed about one hour north of Baghdad and his platoon will be our new special packages unit.  They will receive supplies each quarter during their tour.  In addition, the Brookover's son-in-law, CWO Gregg Seibert is in Iraq as an Apache Helicopter Pilot stationed with the 4th 3rd ACR operation.

  Sommerset Villas residents Larry & Susan Broy welcomed their son, Army Captain Chuck Broy, MD back home on July 4th after a full year in Iraq.  He is currently stationed  at Ft Campbell, KY, following his tour in Iraq with a unit out of Fort Hood, TX:  the 1st Cavalry.  He was stationed for a couple of months in Scania, Iraq as the OIC of the only allied-forces pediatric burn clinic in the country.  His unit also built their own forward operating base, FOB, Hunter in Maysan Province, Iraq.  Dr. Broy was there for 12 months between June 2008 and May 2009.

  Southmont Cove residents Joe & Colleen Jansen's son, Marine Colonel John M. Jansen, served three deployments as an FA-18 Navy Carrier pilot in Iraq.  He has been in several other major deployments around the world as an FA-18 pilot. Some of his other assignments included an advanced NATO school in Rome and heading up a team  with DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) monitoring those countries in Europe with non-proliferation treaties with the UN and USA. He is currently serving as 2nd in command of the 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa.  John's wife and two teen age daughters are with him in Okinawa while his son is a sophomore in the cadet program at VA Tech.

OUR SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO BENEFIT ACTIVE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT ARE DISABLED - WE ACCEPT DONATIONS THAT ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE - PLEASE WRITE CHECK PAYABLE TO THE LEXINGTON VETERANS ASSOCIATION & DROP OFF AT MAIN CLUBHOUSE FRONT DESK -  WE THANK YOU!

To look at our Military Short Story Page

CLICK HERE

3 NEW ONES AS OF DECEMBER 12, 2011

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND"

"PIGGY BACK HERO"

"VETERANS"

 

 

 

 

UP COMING EVENTS  -  Fall 2011/Spring 2012

The Lexington Veterans Association is planning several interesting events in late 2011 & to May 2012.  Here is the calendar.

 

SEASON'S EVENT DATES *

                                                                                                   

 

 EDISON CHILDREN'S PARADE - Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 2 pm - LVA is the lead Color Guard for the parade.  The following veterans are participating: Past Commander & Honor Guard Captain Rich Hill, Jay Burgess, Past Commander Ken Taylor, Vice Commander Al Kuznicki, Dick Deters, Commander Bernie Gdula, VC George Semenek, Don Penner, Bud Passini, & Ron Hyers.

EDISON GRAND PARADE -  Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 7 pm

VETERANS LUNCHEON - Monday, March 19, 2012 at 11:30 am

ALL VETERANS SOCIAL OUTING - Friday, March 30, 2012 at 6 pm with Alex Alexandro, the music master.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY & LUNCHEON - Monday, May 28, 2012 at 10:30 am

                      * The rationale behind "All Residents Invited" is to give non-veteran residents an opportunity to better understand the           mission                              of the LVA and to become updated on the achievements of military personnel  that help keep our freedom intact
                                                                                                                                            
                                    

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

 

PLEASE CALL LAURIE MYERS FOR RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCH AND VETERANS BALL AT 437 - 1299

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                             

Lance Cpl Shane Reinhardt Navy Veteran Neil Solberg Evelyn Spencer

Navy Captain John Lazzaro
"Freedom Is Not Free" Edison State College Scholarship Winner Navy Veteran of 4 years - Speaker for Pearl Harbor Day Pearl Harbor Survivor - Speaker for Pearl Harbor  Day Navy Veteran of 23 years - Speaker for Veterans Day
May 2011 December 2011 December 2011 November 2011

 

 

 

IN MEMORIAL

 

 

 

 
Please welcome Thomas McAtee, retired Navy Captain from Vietnam War era to 2002 and Jacqueline Heth, current Navy Lt. Commander and    our first LVA member from the Global War on Terrorism era.  She is stationed at Little Creek, Virginia and whenever possible she and                   Tom vacation at their place at Southmont Cove.
Please welcome John C. Buckley, Air Force Master Sergeant in the Vietnam War & John Rondinelli, US Army Cold War Veteran as a new             members of the Lexington Veterans Association
Dick Deters, Navy pilot in the Vietnam War & Donald Penner,  Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War era , have joined the Lexington Veterans             Color/Honor Guard as Rifleman & Flag man
Please welcome two new Associate Members - Dominic Jamella, WWII Army Air Force Veteran and Rose Callahan, Korean War era Air Force Nurse Corp.
 
Long time LVA Officers, Rich Hill & Phil Loparo have stepped down from their respective roles although Rich will continue as the Honor Guard  Captain & Phil will continue in the Honor Guard.  Both were active since the beginning of the LVA in 2000/2001.
LVA members Jay Burgess, George Semenek have recently joined the Hope Valor Program Honor Guard.  They are also  members of the LVA Color/Honor Guard.
 
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has built a new facility in Bethesda, Maryland for treating Traumatic Brain Injuries and PTSD (Post Traumatic   Stress Disorder).  Based on their success on the superior facility they built in the mid 2000's for treating amputees we have started contributing  to this badly needed facility.
Regarding our CARE packages to the troops in Afghanistan, we have two new Armed Forces personnel we are preparing packages for. CWO Greg Seibert, Apache Helicopter Pilot an his unit.  Greg is the son-in-law of Jim and Wendy Brookover of Sutton Walk.  Specialist 1st Class Steve Martinez of Fort Myers.  Steve is an Army Medic.  Thanks to the generous support of the residents of Lexington Country Club  this past year we are able to send each one a CARE  package from the LVA.
The LVA is pleased to announce that the Association will now expand its membership opportunities to include two new categories:  Associate Member & Auxiliary Member.  The following definitions apply:  Associate Member is designed to open membership to an Honorably Discharged Veteran who had previously resided in the Lexington Community and was a member of the LVA.  It is also open to any Honorably Discharged Veteran who currently resides in Lee County and has a desire to become involved with an organization committed to aiding and assisting in providing benefits and comforts to our Armed Services personnel.  It carries the same benefits as full membership and dues are $30 per year.
Auxiliary Member is designed for any non veteran resident of the Lexington Community who wishes to become involved with aiding and assisting the proud men and women of our Armed Forces.  These individuals will have access to all Association functions and be invited to participate in Association affairs.  Annual dues are $30.  Membership applications for both memberships are available at the front desk - main clubhouse.
 

VETERANS DISPLAY CASE

 
Display Case is located in the Entrance Way of the Main Clubhouse Content changes on a periodic basis Memorabilia in addition to current events displayed  

2010 - New LVA Hall of Honor Recipients - Top row from L to R: Jack Wagner - Monica Benning - John "Giddyup" Bunch - Bottom row L to R: Wes Hart - Yong Chol Ahn 2010 - Top three rows of Veterans Display Case 2010 - Top two rows of Veterans Display Case

 

 

VETERANS SIGN UP AND DUES FOR 2012

Your annual dues of $ 30 payable to the Lexington Veterans Association will be electronically applied to your Lexington statement in the November billing. The new year runs from Nov 11, 2011 to Nov 11, 2012. If you are a veteran new to the club, ask for the sign up forms/web site forms so we know about you.  Forms available at the main clubhouse front desk.

MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ALL ARMED FORCES VETERANS REGARDLESS OF ERA OF SERVICE.  THIS INCLUDES RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, COAST GUARD, MERCHANT MARINE AND OTHER ALLIED FORCES.

1.  Our hearts and prayers go to the families who lost loved ones  in the horrific attack on America and it is our resolve that America will be strong and swift in a massive retaliation against both the terrorists and their state sponsors. We fully support our troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

2.  A formal structure was established at the Oct 2001 Meeting.  Officers were elected for a two-year term. Rich Hill was elected the Association's first Commander. In Nov 2003 Ernie Smith was elected Commander; Treasurer Paul Tenenbaum; Vice Commander - Finance Wes Hart; Vice Commander - Membership Bob Kelley; Vice Commander - Planning & Programs Phil Loparo; Vice Commander - Public Affairs Ben Polk and Rich Hill, Past Commander & Honor Guard Captain. In Nov 2006 Ken Taylor was elected Commander; Vice Commanders are Paul Tenenbaum; Phil Loparo; Howard Miller; Bernie Gdula; Ron Ruff, Ben Polk & Rich Hill, Honor Guard Captain.  In Nov 2008 Ron Ruff was elected Commander: Vice Commanders are Paul Tenenbaum; Phil Loparo; Howard Miller; Bernie Gdula; George Semenek & Rich Hill. Fiscal year established as Nov 11, 2001 (Veterans Day) to Nov 10, 2002 and each year thereafter. 

 

 
About our Web Site -

There are fourteen pages to look at:

  • Home Page - A brief video that commemorates each new Memorial Day and lists all of the deceased veterans of Lexington
  • Introduction - An Introduction page including "What's New" and current events plus an add on entitled "Military Short Stories"
  • Our Mission & Purpose - Spells out our reason for being & what we do plus our Special Projects that we fund 
  • Veterans History Project - Lists those Lexington veterans who have submitted interviews to Washington 
  • The Walk of Honor - Lists those Lexington veterans & family members who have subscribed to the Walk of Honor
  • Lexington Honor Guard - Photos and other information on the Lexington Color/Honor Guard activities
  • The Events Page - Short chronology of each war from WWII to the current Iraqi and Afghanistan Wars  
  • Memorial Page - Honors Lexington Veterans who are deceased
  • Lexington Veterans Page - Lists each Veteran and his or her service record
  • Military Links Page - Links over 60 separate Military web sites - one click & you are there
  • POW-MIA Page - Tells about the Repatriation efforts to find Missing In Action and bring their remains back home
  • Flag Page - Tells the story behind the Lexington Veterans efforts to fly the American Flag and establish a Memorial to all Veterans
  • Lex Events Page - Chronicles the major events sponsored by the Veterans Association such as Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day and Memorial Day & includes a link to the Lexington Veterans Luncheons.  Each year is listed & linked with photos of all the events for that year.
  • Freedom Page - Showcases the "Freedom Is Not Free" essay winners from Edison State College.

 
Small American flags are displayed around the community on the following holidays:
  • President's Day - 3rd Monday in February
  • Armed  Forces Day - 3rd Saturday in May
  • Memorial Day - last Monday in May (large flags at half staff until noon)
  • Flag Day - June 14
  • Independence Day - July 4
  • Korean War Armistice - July 27 (large flags at half staff all day)
  • Patriots Day - September 11 (large flags at half staff all day)
  • POW/MIA Recognition Day - 3rd Friday in September
  • Veterans Day - November 11
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7 (large flags at half staff all day)

Flag volunteers are: Richard Cullins, John Sackie, Phil Loparo, Craig Kleinknight, Dale Kroft, Gene Banaszynski, Charles Wyrich, Pete Hackett, & Ron Ruff.  Bud Passini is the leader of this group.

July 7, 2005

Please send corrections/additions on this site to:

Richard L. Hill or Ron Ruff

rleehill@comcast.net

ruff202@comcast.net

 

If you are a Lexington Veteran and are not listed on this site and wish to do so - send me via email  rleehill@comcast.net or ruff202@comcast.net           

the following information:

  • Branch of Service

  • Years of Service

  • Final Rank

  • Warfare Specialization

  • Significant Medals

  • Location of service or duty stations

  • Significant Experiences

If you sent the information in a previous format on this site,  please resubmit via the email address above

You can also fill out the required information on paper form found at the Main Clubhouse or the Island Club Activities Center - deliver back to the Main Clubhouse Administration Center

 

Waving Flags by Daeron Meyer at www.daeron.com

Find it @ VetsSearch

http:vets.com

Music: US Navy Band - "To The Colors"