Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer, a day to break out the barbeque utensils and enjoy food, fun and family. But it’s also the day set aside to honor and remember those who served and died for their country.
This year, the City of Clermont partnered with the members of the South Lake Florida Base – SubVets, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5277 and the Marine Corps League along with students from the Clermont Sea Cadets Battalion and South Lake High School NJROTC to organize, plan and deliver the program. The East Ridge High School “Rhythm of the Knights sang. The free event was held at the Highlander Building Pavilion, 330 Third Street.
Tim Murry, an Air Force veteran and Mayor of Clermont provided welcoming remarks.
Veterans of Honor were MSGT Frank Klum, MSGT Paul Shepard, GMC (SS) Robert Dickinson, En1(SS) Richard Gerard and Lt. Daniel Keel.
Lt. Daniel Keel also received the “Quilts of Valor” Foundation Award, a quilt to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing. Approximately 300,000 quilts have been awarded to date. Keel served as a Flight Officer in the Air Force from 1943 to 1946. He is one of only five Tuskegee Airmen to receive a triple airman rating. The courage, dedication, and self-sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen inspired the nation. He was born in 1922 and will celebrate his 100th birthday soon.
Decorated Navy veteran Captain Matt “Smoker” Robinson was the keynote speaker. In his career, Captain Robinson has more than 400 carrier landings and nearly 2,000 hours of jet flight time. He continues to serve his country in the Navy Reserves where he supports the Naval Air Systems Command as the NAVAIR liaison to NATO.
Below are highlights of the event:
