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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Local Iraq War Vetertan needs help.
A local Iraq veteran is in need of assistance.
Because of unique family medical
issues, the financial resources of this veteran is stressed. Now, car repairs totaling approximately $1000 is compounding the matter. If anyone knows of someone willing to repair the Air Conditioning
system on his car, or willing to contribute to the repair, please let me know. We need to help this Veteran. Thanks. Gary
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Polk County has 30 WWII Veterans to be on an Honor Flight
30 WW II vets from Polk will be on an Honor Flight leaving out of St. Pete on 28 June.
Keith Deloach has been
a part of the effort to secure aircraft and support.
17 vets
from Spring Haven Retirement, Winter Haven, will be part of the group.
A send off is planned on the 27th.
See the flyer on the right.
Encourage everyone to line Havendale Blvd to show support for these Heroes.
Gary E. Clark
Colonel
USAF(Ret)
Chairman
Polk County Veterans' Council
Thursday, June 2, 2011
This young man is showing his support for veterans.
The Veterans Council is proud to be able to support his effort. Fisher represents all that is great about many of the
young people in our community.
Anyone wishing to donate, checks can be made out to the following:
“CFGL-PVMPF”
in the memo line write Veterans Bus Shelter
Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland
1501 South Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33803
Thanks to Fisher, veterans will have protection from the elements while awaiting transportation.
Gary
Veterans Administration Clinic In South Lakeland Teen Hoping to
Add Bus Shelter at Lakeland VA Clinic
By Bill Rufty
THE LEDGERPublished: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 6:02 p.m. PIERRE
DUCHARME | THE LEDGER
FISHER CURRY has started a campaign to raise funds for a covered shelter at the bus
stop in front of the Veterans Administration Clinic on South Pipkin Road.
LAKELAND | Fisher Curry heard about a need and is working to find
a solution.The
15-year-old student has created a website, www.shelterforveterans.org, to raise money for a shelter at the bus stop in front of the Veterans Administration
Clinic on South Pipkin Road.
It will cost about
$15,000 to build a covered shelter and he recently received support from the Polk County Veterans Council as well.Curry first
became aware of the problem through his dad and grandfather, Danny Curry and David Curry. Their business, Curry Controls,
is part of the Parkway Corporate Center Association made up owners of businesses along South Pipkin Road near the clinic.
The Currys and
other business people saw the veterans waiting at the bus stop without any protection from the weather.
When Fisher Curry,
a freshman at Newsome High School in Valrico, heard about the veterans sitting in the sun, and sometimes rain, he went into
action."I admire these guys and we should give them respect,"
Fisher said. "My dad mentioned it to me and I thought this would be a perfect project. I consider myself patriotic."
His father agrees.
"We have parental controls on the computers and we got
a notice that Fisher had posted in a chat room. When we checked it was during a period when people posting there were putting
down the country and trying to say how bad it was," Danny Curry said. "Fisher had posted, ‘We live in
the greatest country in the world,' " his proud father said.
When Fisher said he would like to take on the project, his father suggested
he write a letter to a few people explaining the project and the reason for raising the money. "That shows you the gap between generations," Danny Fisher said with a chuckle. "He instead took the
letter, got help and posted it on a website he created."
Fisher introduces himself on the website and explains his goal:
"I was 5 years old when 9/11 occurred; therefore our country has been at war for two-thirds of my life. "I have vivid memories of that day even though I did not understand the magnitude
of the event at that time. I believe that because of these events I have come to have a deep affection for our country and
a profound appreciation for our soldiers that protect it, both currently and in the past.
"I have decided to try to raise enough
money to help build a shelter for their (veterans') bus stop."
The website has pictures of the bench and then another
of what it could look like with a shelter to protect the ailing veterans.
The shelter would enclose three sides of the existing
bench with Plexiglas so one can see out. It is similar to one in front of South Gate Shopping Center in Lakeland.
With the endorsement
of the project by the Polk County Veterans Council, donors will be able to use that organization's 501 C3 status as a nonprofit
group allowing tax deductible contributions.
Word has spread among veterans about Fisher's campaign. "Yes, I have had veterans come up to me after finding out about the project
and thank me. It feels pretty good," Fisher said.
[ Bill Rufty can be reached at bill.rufty@theledger.com or 863-802-7523 ]
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