Latest New Events and Presentations

IN MEMORY OF BILL COLEMAN

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

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.

WHARTON-SMITH TO BE GENERAL CONTRACTOR

November 19th, 2012

                Wharton-Smith, Inc. to be General Contractor
                         For Construction of the Memorial

 

We are honored to have the prestigious Wharton-Smith, Inc. general contractor, partner with the CFVMPF foundation to construct this World Class Veterans Memorial.  Wharton-Smith’s goal of exceeding clients’ expectations by performing with the highest quality, professionalism, and fairness with honesty and integrity has resulted in an award winning solid reputation as a General Contractor, Construction Manager and Design-Build Contractor through0ut Florida, the Southeastern U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Ron Davoli, President of Wharton-Smith said, “It is our honor to be selected to partner in this high-profile, important community project.”  He has further offered to make a generous in-kind donation of overhead and profit fees.  Wharton-Smith will coordinate bidding with the local subcontractor and supplier community to provide the highest quality project at the most economical price to the Foundation.

The Wharton-Smith team will work closely with Mr. Ron Lowry, Chairman of RLF Architects and the RLF team to accomplish a wide range of functions to include coordination with Lake Nona Land Management, the Veterans Administration, and the City of Orlando for various permits.  RLF Architects is donating all architectural services as in-kind contributions and is also being assisted by Don McIntosh Engineering, Universal Engineering, and Boyd Civil Engineering, also all donating their services.

Detailed construction schedules are being developed to allow construction to begin in early 2013.

COUNTIES PROVIDE BOOST

November 18th, 2012

Orange and Seminole Counties Provide Huge Boost to Campaign

 

Soon after a generous gift of $250,000 from Massey Services, Inc., Orange County Commissioners unanimously voted a grant of $500,000 and that was followed up with another unanimous vote by Seminole County Commissioners for a grant of $150,000.  These recent gifts brought the fund raising to about 50% of the total goal of $3,000,000 needed for construction and for the endowment.

Although contributions are from the heart and from a sense of commitment to all those who have served and to those that made the ultimate sacrifice, the difference in dollar amount by counties is roughly related to the number of names of the fallen to be honored on the memorial walls and also to the number of living veterans in each county.  Per the 2010 census the number of living veterans per county is as follows:

                            Brevard        75,188                  Osceola        17,606

                            Lake             42,112                 Seminole       33,688

                            Orange         89,634                  Volusia         58,883        

                                                         Total 317,111

Membrs of the board of CFVMPF are in the process of meeting with commissioners of Brevard, Lake, Osceola, and Volusia Counties and with the City of Orlando for their support also.

Jerry E. Pierce, Chairman of CFVMPF noted that it is not surprising that all six counties and the City of Orlando would want to support this Memorial as it is far more than “just a memorial” even though other memorials are important as well.  He stated further that what is different is that this is the only Veterans Memorial that is adjacent to and part of a VA Medical Center in the entire country.  It is also on the center axis and focal point of the new VA Medical Center with the entire VA complex covering 65 acres roughly the size of a theme park like Sea World.

The VA Medical Center will be not only the focus of our community, but also nationally showing what our community and nation has done and is doing to honor and heal our veterans and the families visiting the VA Medical Center and Memorial.  It will also be a place of education as to the cost of freedom and that freedom is not free.

 

 

MASSEY SERVICES PLEDGES $250,000

June 29th, 2012

PRESS CONFERENCE

PRESENTATION OF THE GENEROUS $250,000 GIFT

 FROM MASSEY SERVICES, INC.

  “This is a most generous gift that will move us significantly forward in creating a World Class Veterans Memorial, and Place of Healing and Education of the Price of Freedom.”  

         Jerry Pierce, Chairman, CFVMPF

Pictured Left to Right:  Jerry E. Pierce, Chairman, CFVMPF, Harvey L. Massey, Chairman and CEO and Tony Massey, President and COO Massey Services, Inc. 

Pictured Left to Right:  Jerry E. Pierce, Chairman, CFVMPF,  Jim Donovan,  President, Donovan Management, Inc.,  Harvey L. Massey, Chairman and CEO and Tony Massey, President and COO Massey Services, Inc.

 PRESS RELEASE

 Massey Services Pledges $250,000

To The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park

 

Harvey and Carol Massey, their family and the team members of Massey Services are honored to support The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation with a $250,000 pledge for the construction of a Memorial at Lake Nona. “This memorial will honor Central Floridians who have served our country and sacrificed their lives,” according to Jerry E. Pierce, Chairman of the Memorial Park Foundation.

 “It is apparent that the Massey Family and their team members clearly appreciate the freedom we have today and honor those who gave their lives to secure it. This is the largest contribution to date and we are most grateful for this generous donation,” said retired Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger, a member of the Memorial Foundation Board.

 Harvey L. Massey, Chairman and CEO and Tony Massey, President and COO of Massey Services, presented Jerry Pierce a letter of the firm’s pledge of $250,000, thus pushing the total raised for the Memorial to $900,000, or nearly two-thirds of the $1.5 million construction goal. Once that goal is met the all-volunteer board of the Memorial will seek another $1.5 million for an endowment for the upkeep of the Memorial.

 “Massey Services is truly honored to support this memorial,” stated Massey. “We are fortunate to live in the greatest nation the world has ever known and the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park allows us to remember those who have fallen while fighting for our freedom, liberty and the opportunities that are afforded to us each day.”

 The names of over 1,200 fallen from Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties will be inscribed on the four pillars that make up the Memorial Park. The amphitheater, the focal point of the park which overlooks Lake Nona, will be named after the Harvey and Carol Massey family and Massey Services in recognition of the company’s contribution.

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About Massey Services

Based in Orlando, Fla., Massey Services is one of the nation’s largest and most respected service companies. Celebrating its 75th year in business, Massey Services and its subsidiary organizations employ over 1,300 team members and operate over 1,100 vehicles providing residential and commercial pest prevention, termite protection, landscape and irrigation services to more than 350,000 customers from Service Centers throughout Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. For more information’ about Massey Services, please visit www.masseyservices.com.

 

AMERICAN LEGION PRESENTATION

May 22nd, 2012

(Pictured from left to right)   BG Stephen M Seay, USA (ret), Pres. Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.;  Fletcher Williams, Jr., Department Commander, Florida American Legion; Jerry E Pierce, Chairman, Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.; and Mike McDaniel, Department Adjutant, Florida American Legion.

The American Legion Department of Florida, Inc. presenting a contribution to Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation to create a world class Veterans Memorial Park at Lake Nona.  This contribution is proceeds from the American Legion Golf Tournament held November 17, 2011,  which was jointly hosted by CFVMPF at Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club in Clermont. 

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

May 22nd, 2012

PRESENTATION TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

A presentation was given to the Knights of Columbus Florida Leaders Meeting on May 6, 2012.  There were about 200 in attendance and Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation was presented with a contribution for the Memorial to be built adjacent to the new VA Medical Center at Lake Nona.   This presentation was a result of CFVMPF Board Member, Bill Amidon, having lunch about a year ago with James Schonefeld, PSD, Master Florida District of the DeSoto Province.

James J. Schonefeld, PSD, Master Florida District (De Soto Provence), Knights of Columbus, Fourt Degree presenting a contribution to Jerry Pierce, Chairman, Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc.

Jerry Pierce, Chairman, Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park, explaining the site plan of the Memorial to be built at Lake Nona.

Attendees listening intently as Jerry Pierce presented information about the upcoming world class memorial to be built adjacent to the VA Medical Center at Lake Nona.

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PRESENTATION TO THE ROTARY CLUB

A presentation was given to the Rotary Club of Orange County East-Winter Park on April 19, 2012.    The presentation was arranged through the leadership of CFVMPF Board Member, Bill Tate, and his involvement with the Rotary Club.

NEWSLETTER – PREMIERE ISSUE

May 22nd, 2012

Briefing at Sanford Airport

March 1st, 2012
PRESENTATION AT SANFORD AIRPORT
On Feb. 21, veterans of Seminole County  received a briefing on a Memorial at Lake Nona that will honor the Fallen of Seminole County along with Orange, Lake, Brevard,Osceola and Volusia Counties .

The briefing took place at 11:30 a.m. in the Vigilante Room at the Orlando Sanford International Airport in Sanford with Larry Dale, Airport President & CEO hosting the event.

Jerry Pierce, CFVMPF Chairman,  provided a brief history on how the Memorial Project got started, the layout of the Memorial Park and how it will serve as a tranquil place of healing that is critical to the grieving process.   The Memorial will be adjacent to the new Veterans Hospital at Lake Nona.

Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Seay USA (Ret.), CFVMPF President, commented on ways the community can become involved and help in making the Memorial a reality.

EAGLE SCOUT REFURBISHES GAZEBO

January 5th, 2012

As his Eagle Scout Project, Aidan Augustin built a gazebo in 2008 at the Veteran’s Memorial Park located at  Baldwin Park.   While home for winter break this year Aidan along with a fellow Eagle Scout and three girls who were formerly involved in his co-ed Venture Scouting unit helped him renovate the gazebo.  They sanded down all surfaces, removed any graffiti, and put two new coats of stain/sealant on it to help resist the elements for a few more years.