2012 Parade Honoree - Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe II

Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe II died Aug. 8, 2010, when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment based in Vilseck, Germany. Cuzzupe was a 2005 graduate of Armwood High School and a 2009 graduate of St. Leo University with a degree in history and a minor in political science. He was an altar server at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

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Fundraiser Luncheon Saturday 6/25 Carrabba's

The Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc is pleased to announce a fundraising luncheon hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 11902 Sheldon Rd. Citrus Park, Saturday June 25, 2011 from 11:00am to 1:30pm.

Carrabba’s is offering a dine in or carry out lunch menu consisting of Chicken Marsala, Penne Pomodoro, Caesar Salad, Bread, and a Non-Alcoholic Beverage for $10.00 per person. Seating is limited and tickets purchased online will be available at the hostess station the day of the luncheon. To purchase tickets visit the Veterans Day Parade website at www.veteransparade.net or contact Terry Fortino at 813.995.7611

Army Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Fuerst III - 2011 Honoree

Army Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Fuerst III, 26
TAMPA, FL, USA
U.S. Army
SSG, HHC, 53D INFANTRY BRIGADE, PINELLAS PARK, FL
KAN DAHAR, AFGHANISTAN 06/24/2006

Joe was training Afghan National Army soldiers in the Panjwayi District of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. The evening of 24 June 2006, his service to others came to an abrupt end. Small arms and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) fire fatally wounded Staff Sergeant Joe Fuerst as he was leading a mission in support of Operation Mountain Thrust. Over the course of his Army service, Joe earned several awards and medals including the Bronze Star with “V” (valor) device.

He went from Tiger Cub to Eagle in Scouting. He was an alter server at Christ the King Catholic Church from seventh grade through high school. At H.B. Plant High School, he plied his physical skills on the swimming and diving team and lent his clear voice to the chorus. Joe came to revel in outdoor activities. Air boating on the water, four wheeling on land, or hanging from a parachute in the air – Joe took to them all. Upon high school graduation in 1998, Joe spent a couple of semesters at Hillsboro Community College before leaving his studies to enlist in the Army.

When he completed active duty, Joe returned to Tampa. Harboring a desire to serve others, he completed his degree in criminal justice and graduated from the police academy. Joe also joined the Florida Army National Guard. There Joe met and fell in love with a fellow soldier, Tara. Marching was not the only steps they took together. They also learned to dance the two-step for their March 2005 wedding. They bought a piece of property in nearby Brooksville where they planned to settle in after Joe’s enlistment was up. Not long after becoming husband and wife, however, both sergeants deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Florida Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade.

He is survived by his wife Tara was also in the Army and was deployed to Afghanistan when news came of her husband’s death.

Luncheon Fundraiser at Carrabba's Italian Grill

Carrabba's Italian Grill is hosting a benefit luncheon for the Veterans Day Parade Saturday June 25. Seating is available from 11:00am til 1;30pm. Tickets are limited contact Gerald or Terry at 813.995.7611 or reserve your tickets online through PayPal

Tickets will be at the hostess desk at Carrabba's. Tickets may be ordered online until Wednesday June 22. Enjoy a good time and support the Parade. It's a Win Win!

Number of Tickets

1 Ticket $10.70 2 Tickets $21.10 3 Tickets $31.50 4 Tickets $41.90 5 Tickets $52.30 6 Tickets $73.10 7 Tickets $83.50 8 Tickets $93.90 9 Tickets $93.90 10 Tickets $114.70

2011 Parade Details

What: 18th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.
Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive
Grand Marshal: Commander, MacDill Air Force Base and 6th Air Mobility Wing
Honoree: To be determined
National Anthem by: Linda Burnette
Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl - WTBN - AM 570 & 910

Final Parade Line Up

We have made some changes since the last mailing so please check to see where you are.

To the extent possible, notify all your members of there section, number, and which street they will be on; either Soccer Lane where most of the big floats are, or Baseball Lane which stretches back into Shimberg Park.

Try to arrive before 9:00 because we start closing roads at 9:00 am and you may not be able to get to the staging area easily. Once Hanley closes, the only way in is Benjamin Road to Barry to Armand Drive.

School busses need to drop of bands and ROTC in the circular drive infront of Morgan Woods Elementary School and exit out Cluster Road or Barry.

It will be cold in the morning so bundle up. Please be kind to the Parade Staff. Parents of young children should park their cars and walk their children to their respective units. The parade staff can't escort children anywhere, and we do not allow cars to drive through the staging area.

Thanks everyone for your participation again this year. Be Safe. Watch out for the youngsters.


Brian Boyle, Chairman
Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 262125
Tampa, Florida 33685

2010 Parade Details

What: 17th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.
Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive Grand Marshal: Colonel Lenny J. Richoux, Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing
Honoree: The late Cpl. Mike Roberts, Army, Airforce & Tampa Police Dept. Veteran
National Anthem by: Linda Burnette
Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl - WTBN - AM 570 & 910

2010 Grand Marshal

Colonel Lenny J. Richoux is Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The wing's overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force's Global Reach, Global Power mission and to provide support to Headquarters U.S. Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command and 51 other mission partners that call MacDill home. As the Commander, he is responsible for more than $2.8 billion in base property and capital assets, and controls an annual budget exceeding $249 million. MacDill AFB represents a major economic influence within the Tampa Bay community, with a total economic impact of over $5 billion annually.

Colonel Richoux hails from New Orleans, Louisiana and is a graduate of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and a distinguished graduate of Georgia Tech's AFROTC program. He is married to the former Michele Kendrick of Fort Mill, SC. They have two daughters, Claudia and Lena, and a son, Emile.

EDUCATION:

1989 Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

1994 USAF Flight Safety Officer School, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

1995 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence

1997 Master of Arts in Organizational Management, The George Washington University

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Legion of MeritDefense; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with oak leaf cluster; Aerial Achievement Medal

2010 Parade Honoree

Corporal Mike Roberts of the Tampa Police Dept, died in the line of duty during a confrontation in Sulfur Springs on August 19, 2009. A native of Clearwater, Cpl. Roberts joined the Tampa Police Dept. in 1998 and served as a patrol officer until 2005, when he became a canine officer. The same year he was awarded the Life Saving Award. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in July, 2009. Cpl. Roberts joined the Army Reserve in 1998 and was promptly sent to Bosnia which delayed his entry into TPD. He completed is military obligation as a member of the Air Force Reserves.

Corporal Roberts is survived by his wife Cynthia and their 4 year old son Adam. Family members will ride in the Honoree car leading the parade.

2009 Veterans Parade

What: 16th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.
Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive
Grand Marshal: Colonel Lawrence M. Martin, Jr. Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing
Honoree: Navy Veteran Tom Hughey
National Anthem by: Linda Burnette
Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl - WTBN - AM 570 & 910

2009 Grand Marshal

Colonel Lawrence M. Martin, Jr., is Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The wing's overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force's Global Reach, Global Power mission and to provide support to Headquarters U.S. Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command and 51 other mission partners that call MacDill home. As the Commander, he is responsible for more than $2.8 billion in base property and capital assets, and controls an annual budget exceeding $249 million. MacDill AFB represents a major economic influence within the Tampa Bay community, with a total economic impact of over $5 billion annually.

Colonel Martin hails from Minnetonka, Minnesota, where he graduated from Hopkins Lindbergh H.S. and entered the Air Force in 1985 as a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He was also a distinguished graduate of both the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School and the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and graduated from the U.S. Air War College with highest academic distinction

During his Air Force career, Colonel Martin has held command positions at the squadron level and is a command pilot with over 3,700 hours in the C-130, KC-135 R/T, RC-135, E-8 and UV-18B. In addition to his command experience, Colonel Martin taught at the United States Air Force Academy and has held headquarters-level assignments at Headquarters, Air Mobility Command and US Pacific Command.

EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Science degree in History, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1992 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1992 Master of Arts degree in History, University of Nebraska
1998 Command and Staff College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.
2005 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

2009 Parade Honoree - Thomas Hughey

Tom Hughey joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and served as a hospital corpsman in the Korean War, and two tours of duty as a corpsman in Vietnam, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Tom earned numerous medals, including the Purple Heart, while serving in two wars.

Upon his retirement from the Navy, Tom settled in Town N' Country where he and his wife Annette raised five children. A member of American Legion Post 152; the Military Order of the Purple Heart; and Veterans of Foriegn Wars, Tom was always active in veterans events, starting the Town N' Country Veterans Parade in 1985. Tom Hughey passed away July 10, 2008.

2008 Parade Details

What: 15th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.
Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive

Grand Marshal: Colonel Matthew H. Arens, Vice Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing

Honoree: Cpl. Aaron M. Griner

National Anthem by: Cristina Querrer
Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl - WTBN - AM 570 & 910

Fly Over: 6TH Air Mobility Wing - KC135 Tanker

2008 Parade Grand Marshal - Colonel Matthew H. Arens

COL. MATTHEW H. ARENS is the vice commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. As vice commander, he assists the wing commander in leading more than 3,000 people, overseeing base property and capital assets totaling more than $2.8 billion, and controlling an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing's overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift support in addition to the support of Headquarters U.S Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, and 50 other mission partners that call MacDill home. Colonel Arens entered the Air Force in September 1983 through an ROTC commission from the University of Illinois. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flight hours in the T-37, T-38, KC-135A/E/R, RC-135 and KC-10A, including combat and combat support missions in Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Restore Hope. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Arens was the Chief, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century for Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

EDUCATION

1983 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Illinois

1990 Master of Arts in Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle University

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Kosovo Campaign Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Southwest Asia Medal with two campaign stars

Kuwaiti Liberation Medal

2008 Honoree - Army Cpl. Aaron M Griner

Army Corporal Aaron M. Griner, age 24, died June 28, 2006 in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, while in support of Operation Mountain Thrust, when his vehicle struck a mine during combat operations. Aaron was was a health care specialist assigned to Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Fort Drum, New York

A native of Tampa, former student at Tampa Bay Tech, and an avid soccer player at Town N' Country's Hanley Complex, Griner entered the Army in February 2004 and completed basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. After completing advanced individual training to be a combat medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was assigned to Fort Drum in September 2004. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 'V' Device, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Medic Badge.

Aaron is survived by his wife Amanda and their young son Austin of New York; his mother Anita Bridges of Atlanta; two sisters, Annie VanHorn of Brandon and Megan Griner of Atlanta Georgia; and his father Ernest Griner of Tampa. Aarons family will ride in the Honorees car leading the parade.

2007 Parade Details

What: 14th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, November 10, 2007

Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive
Grand Marshal: Colonel Robert D. Thomas, Commander, MacDill Air Force Base and Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing

Honoree: Sgt. Bryan C. Luckey, US Army

National Anthem by: Cristina Querrer

Master of Ceremonies: Bill Carl of 570 AM (WTBN)

2007 Parade Honoree - Bryan C. Luckey

Army Sgt. Bryan C. Luckey25, of Tampa, Fla.; assigned to the 562nd Engineer Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; killed June 29 when he was shot by enemy forces while on mounted patrol in Mosul, Iraq.

A graduate of Tampa's Emmanuel Christian Academy, he attended Bible college for a year, where he studied to be a Baptist preacher.

He attended Leto High School and joined the ROTC. He joined the Army after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, because he felt a sense of duty to his country.

Bryan was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

2006 Parade Details

What: 13th Annual Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, November 11, 2006

Time: 10:00 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

Where: Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive

Grand Marshal: Colonel Timothy S. Smith, Vice Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB

Honorees: Lance Cpl. Kevin G. Waruinge, USMC, of Tampa, Fla. and Mark Fogarty (USMC) parade co-founder

Master of Ceremonies: Ron Diaz - 620 WDAE Sports Animal

National Anthem Singer: Sonja Wise - Tampa Police Dept.

Flyover: A KC-135 Tanker from the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB

The executive committee of Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc. is currently organizing this years parade. For additional information not provided here, email us at: VeteransParade@Yahoo.com

2006 Parade Grand Marshal

COLONEL TIMOTHY S. SMITH, USAF, is the vice commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. As vice commander, he assists the wing commander in leading more than 3,000 people, overseeing base property and capital assets totaling more than $2.8 billion, and controlling an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing’s overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force’s Global Reach, Global Power mission, and to provide support to Headquarters U.S. Central Command, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, and 50 other mission partners that call MacDill home.

Colonel Smith entered the Air Force in 1983 as a graduate of the University of Alabama. His career includes a variety of operational and staff positions including a tour as Commander, 97th Air Refueling Squadron, Aide-de-Camp for the Commander, 21st Air Force, and as an instructor pilot in the C-141, C-12, KC-10 and KC-135 aircraft.

Colonel Smith has also served as Chief, Commander’s Action Group, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

2006 Parade Honorees

Kevin Waruinge - Honoree

Marine Lance Corporal Kevin Waruinge (22), a 2001 graduate of Tampa's West Gate Christian School, became a U.S. citizen while serving in the United States Marine Corp. Born and raised in Kenya, Kevin and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1998.

Keven Waruinge died on August 3, 2005 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Gulfport, Mississippi where he worked as a mechanic on amphibious assault vehicles.

Kevin's parents, Patrick and Rose Waruinge, and his two brothers reside in Tampa and will be our guests of honor this year.

Mark Fogarty - Honoree:
Mark Fogarty (1949 – 2006), USMC: A native of Gary, Indiana, Mark served as a proud U.S. Marine from 1967 to 1972, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star from his tours of service in Vietnam. Mark was a co-founder of the Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade, past chairman of the Town N Country Alliance, and past president of the Town N Country Chamber of Commerce.

2005 Grand Marshal with Honorees

Col. Margaret Woodward, Commanding Officer of MacDill AFB, and husband, Col. Daniel Woodward, pose for a photo with the 05 parade honorees, Vila Brothers: Joe, Willie, Wilfred, Hector, Joe, Denio and Tony.

Veterans Day Parade Group, Inc. would like to thank all of our sponsors for their tremendous support this year. We especially want to recognize Corporal Donald Morris of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, and Paula Jory of Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Dept. for their efforts in support of the parade. We could not have done it without them.

Additionally, we thank the entire Tampa Bay community for turning out in large numbers to show our local veterans that we care.

Board Members with the Colonels

Colonel Margaret Woodward, Commanding Officer of MacDill AFB, and husband Colonel Daniel Woodward take a few minutes after the parade to discuss the days events with executive board members (L-R) Brian Boyle, Chairman; E. Rock Roque, Treasurer; and Gerald Jacobs, Volunteer Coordinator.

Uncle Sam sponsored by Bill Currie Ford

Uncle Sam was in attendance again this year thanks to one of our Gold Sponsors, Bill Currie Ford.

2005 Parade Route CHANGE

The route of this years parade has changed slightly due to construction in last years staging area. This year's staging area is at Morgan Woods Elementary School on Armand Drive. This is the same staging area we used for the 2001 Parade.

Parade will proceed north on Armand Drive to Barry Road; west on Barry Road to Hanley Road; and south on Hanley Road to the review stand at Webb Middle School. The parade will terminate south of the review stand at Hanley Road and Paula Drive. Additional parade info found at: http://www.geocities.com/veteransparade/Veterans_Parade.html

2005 Veterans Parade - Grand Marshal

Col. Margaret Woodward, Installation Commander of MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa Florida, and Commanding Officer of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, will serve as this years Parade Grand Marshal.

As the Base Commander, she is responsible for more than $2.8 billion in base property and capital assets, and controls an annual budget exceeding $249 million. The wing’s overall mission is to provide worldwide air refueling and combatant commander airlift in support of the Air Force’s Global Reach, Global Power mission and to provide support to HQ U.S. Central Command, HQ U.S. Special Operations Command and 49 other mission partners that call MacDill home.

Colonel Woodward graduated from Arizona State University in 1982. She flew and commanded in Operations JUST CAUSE, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH and ALLIED FORCE. She commanded the 92nd Expeditionary Refueling Squadron, 97th Air Refueling Squadron and 12th Operations Group. She served in the office of the Secretary of Defense as Director of Protocol and Military Assistant. Colonel Woodward has also served as Deputy Director for Colonel Matters, Air Force Senior Leader Management Office, Washington, D.C.

EDUCATION: 1982 Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 1995 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, Master of Aviation Science, 1997 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL,. 2001 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.

2005 Veterans Day Parade - Honorees

This years honorees are the seven Vila brothers of Tampa. All seven brothers have served this country in the armed forces. They are:

• Joe Vila, 82. He served with the Marine Corps during World War II. He was involved in battles in Guadalcanal, where the soldiers were attacked by Japanese fighter planes. A bomb exploded next to Vila, and he spent months in hospitals with back, leg and shoulder injuries. He received a Purple Heart. He lives in West Tampa.

• Willie Vila, 81. He also served with the Marines during World War II and was deployed to Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Peleliu Island, New Caledonia and Okinawa. In Okinawa, a mortar shell hit him, and he suffered a chest wound and temporarily lost his sight. He received three Purple Hearts, the Navy Cross and the French Heart. He lives in West Tampa.

• Wilfred Vila, 79. He served with the Army during World War II and parachuted for the 82nd Airborne. He was later assigned to retrieve prisoners of war. He lives in Sun City Center.

• Hector Vila, 74. He served in the Marines during the Korean War and fought on the front lines as a machine gunner. He lives in West Tampa.

• Robert Vila, 73. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was on a battleship that fired against enemy railroads, harbors and positions. He lives in Carrollwood.

• Denio Vila, 67. He served in the Army from 1960-62 and in the reserves from 1962-66. He was a medical specialist. He lives in Land O' Lakes.

• Tony Vila, 61. He served in the Navy from 1962-66 and was in active reserves from 1975-95. His ship was sent to Cuba as part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in November 1962. He later served as a hospital corpsman and Spanish translator. In 1965, he was sent to Vietnam, and in 1991 he served in Operation Desert Storm. He lives in Carrollwood.

Veterans on float in 2002 Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade

American Legion Post 152 Honor Guard in 2002 parade.

Marine Corp Honor Guard marching in the 2002 Veterans Day Parade in Tampa's Town N Country neighborhood.

Rough Riders in 2002 parade.

Rough Riders in 2002 Parade

Rough Riders in 2002 parade.

Rough Riders in 2002 Tampa Bay Veterans Day Parade