Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.

(Left to Right) Colonel Joe Kittinger, CFVMPF Board Member, signing his book, “Come Up and Get Me” for Joe Battle, Associate VA Medical Center Director

 “Come Up and Get Me” is a long-awaited autobiography of Colonel Joe Kittinger written by Joe Kittinger and Craig Ryan with a Foreward by Neil Armstrong.  Joe tells of his many experiences including his being a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war.  He set several ballooning distance records, including the first solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1984, but his proudest moment remains his free fall from 102,800 feet during which he achieved a speed of 614 miles per hour.  

(Left to Right)  BG Steve Seay. Special Guest at the March CFVMPF Meeting and Jerry Pierce, CFVMPF President

Joe Miller, Photographer

Starling Family Honors Their Mom and the Fallen With
$50,000 Matching Gift to Veterans Memorial Campaign

Jack Starling, Starling Chevy-Cadillac General Manager, presenting $ 50,000 matching grant commitment to Honorary Campaign Chairman Lt. General Jay Garner. 

(left to right)  Lt. General Jay Garner, Grace Tucker Starling, Jack Starling, and Jerry E Pierce, President of CFVMPF.

Lt. General Jay Garner presenting a personal gift of $1,000 as the first gift toward the Starling Family $ 50,000 matching grant. 

(left to right) Lt. General Jay Garner, Grace Tucker Starling, Alan C Starling, President, Starling Chevrolet and Jerry E Pierce, Pres.Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. (CFVMPF).

The Starling Family

(pictured left to right) 

Front Row…Col. Christopher Starling, USMC and wife Suzanne, LTG Jay Garner, Grace Starling, Jack Starling, Jerry Pierce, and  Emma Starling.

Second Row…Carroll Starling, retired Navy chaplain, Bruce Starling, retired Army JAG, Alan and Tilly Starling, Walker Starling, Andrew Starling, Michael and Susanne Mayon. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Honorary Chair of the capital campaign Lt. General Jay Garner accepted a pledge on March 5^th to construct and endow a Memorial at Lake Nona to those who served in the uniform of their country and did not return home to Central Florida.  In honor of Grace Starling the Starling family has pledged a contribution of $50,000.  This pledge will be used to match contributions to the campaign of $1,000 or more up to $50,000.

“We are delighted for this most generous contribution, not only does this give the campaign momentum, it provides an incentive for others to give,” said General Garner who headed Iraq’s Reconstruction under President George W. Bush and is a resident of Windermere.

On the occasion of Grace Tucker Starling’s 95^th birthday celebration, she was thrilled to learn about the Veteran’s Memorial Gift in her honor.  “As a family of veterans it touched our hearts when we learned about this Memorial,” said her grandson Jack Starling.  He noted that in his grandmother’s lifetime, her husband, and two brothers served in World War II, and all three of her sons served in the Vietnam Era.  Walker Starling, Jack’s brother, added that currently two of their cousins, Colonel Christopher Starling and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Starling, both Marines, were veterans of the Persian Gulf Conflict and are still serving adding that “just a few weeks ago, Mike was in Cairo.”

Jerry Pierce, President of the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation noted that “the Starling Matching Gift Program comes on the heels of a $50,000 commitment from the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association of which the Starling Group is a member and the Starling’s have given twice, as they are members of the Association as well.  We will do all we can to encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity to have their gift doubled with the Starling Match,” said Pierce.

Jerry Pierce, CFVMPF President, made a presentation to the Winter Park Rotary Club luncheon on March 7^th.   There were approximately 110 present which included many community leaders.  The presentation was well received and questions were answered regarding the status of the VA Medical Center and how the names would be determined for the monuments.
The program chairman commented that we had the full attention of members and gave an invitation for a future presentation to update everyone on our progress.

Jerry Pierce, President CFVMPF, made an informative presentation on February 23rd at the luncheon meeting of the Meridian Club in Winter Park.  It was attended by 35 members who engage in philantropic activities.

Jerry Pierce,  CFVMPF President,  made a presentation at the regular monthly meeting of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 17-11 D7 on February 19th.   All Veterans present were recognized and honored for their military service.   Jerry stated that those who paid the ulitmate sacrifice from the six counties in Central Florida will be recognized at the Memorial Park honoring them which will be built adjacent to the new VA Medical Center at Lake Nona.   Billy Enfinger,  member of  Flotiall 17-11 D7 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, assisted in the presentation.