S. Fl VA National Cemetery honors rendered

by Major Knudsen
(Lantana, Fl, USA)

CAP and WW11 /Korean Navy Pilot renders honors

Civil Air Patrol Florida Wing Group 6 had numerous members and veterans participating with Wreaths Across America at South Florida VA National Cemetery. Veteran groups represented were: America Legion, Marine Corps League, Merchant Marines, Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Naval Air Station Museum, Fort Lauderdale Vet Center, Gold Coast Women Veterans, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Florida Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club.

Veteran dignitaries from all branches who participated with ceremonial wreath presentations were:
Joe Roberts, SMSgt USAF Ret.
Milt Markowitz, Lt Col USAF Ret.
William Ferguson, Lt Col CAP Korean Navy Veteran
Randall Selnick, 1 Lt CAP Vietnam Navy Veteran
Ed Weber, USMC Ret. WW11/Korean War Veteran
Thaddeus Hamilton, LTC USA Ret. Gulf War Veteran
Ralph Parness, Major CAP WW11 Army Veteran
Pablo Nunez, 1Lt CAP Army Veteran
Ralph Kugel, Capt CAP; Coast Guard Officer's father
Victor Garcia-Barrerras,Coast Guard Aux. Officer
Joe Colon, WW11 Merchant Mariner Veteran

Both Civil Air Patrol senior officers and cadets participated with rendering honors. After the ceremony, the audience was asked to place wreaths at headstones and reflect on the sacrifices made. Lt Col Bennett was one of many pilots who reflected at the resting place of a fellow serviceman.