Archive for December, 2012

IN MEMORY OF BILL COLEMAN

Monday, December 31st, 2012

                                                                    Photograph taken June 11, 2010

Bill is standing next to Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation’s architectural drawing of the Memorial Park which will be built at Lake Nona adjacent to the new VA Medical Center. The Memorial will honor fallen heroes from six central Florida counties.

(Architectural drawing by RLF Architects) 

On December 13, 2012,Central Florida was saddened to learn of the death of a faithful friend – William “Bill” C. Coleman.

Bill had a passion for veterans and was a vocal advocate for the new Orlando VA Medical Center being built at Lake Nona.    Bill proudly served in WWII being a POW for almost a year, was a recipient of two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.  He also had served as a GOP state legislator, Florida’s first secretary of transportation and a member of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

A highlight in Bill’s life was joining 40 veterans in parachuting into France 50 years after he made his first jump over Normandy.  He jumped out of a plane again at age 80 on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

He remained active in veteran’s affairs and sat on the Florida Commission of Veterans Affairs.  He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. 

His family has suggested in lieu of flowers, that donations in his honor and memory be made to the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.

Bill Coleman will be missed by many – his wife, Toni, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his many friends who include all of the members of CFVMPF with appreciation for the great example and inspiration he was to his family and all of his many friends!

 

IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH W. MILLER

Monday, December 31st, 2012

PROCLAMATION AND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION 

 

                              Joseph W. Miller (Photo taken October 21, 2011)

Jerry Pierce, CFVMPF Chairman, presented a Proclamation and Certificate of Appreciation to Barbara Miller in honor and memory of her husband, Joseph W. Miller.

Joe proudly served as the first official photographer of Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.  His meticulous and caring photography for over four years captured the essence of  the life of the Foundation.

The Proclamation also recognized his service as a member of the 36th engineer regiment during multiple landings during D-Day campaign. 

Joseph’s warm and friendly smile will forever by missed. 

Presented to his loving wife, Barbara, children and grandchildren signed by Jerry W. Pierce, Chairman and BG Stephen M. Seay USA (Ret), President.

Photo Shown Below – October 21, 2011, left to right, Jerry Pierce and Steve Seay of CFVMPF being presented a check from Randy Parks, President of Central Florida Auto Dealers Association and Barbara Miller, Executive Vice President,  for the Memorial to be built at Lake Nona adjacent to the VA Medical Center.