I had the privilege of attending the North Miami Beach Veteran’s Day ceremony this morning. There was a good turn out, but I wish even more people had come to experience this moving service.
The North Miami Beach Honor Guard, led by Sergeant Richard Rand, was excellent as always. Reverend Dr. Marta Burke, pastor of our “community church,” Fulford United Methodist, led the opening prayer with an inspiring message for our veterans and our country.
Mayor George Vallejo asked the audience to do two things today. First, to thank a veteran for serving our nation, and second, to write or call President Obama, our two Florida Senators, Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, to ask them to speed up the process by which our country’s veterans and their families receive their benefits. I urge you to do so by using the following contact information:
Contact the White House by clicking here.
Contact Senator Nelson by clicking here.
Contact Senator Rubio by clicking here.
Contact Congresswoman Wilson by clicking here.
The Mayor then introduced Edward Haynes from U.S. Rep. Wilson’s office who announced that the Congresswoman is already doing everything she can to help our veterans. Good to know!
Vice Mayor Phyllis Smith made an extremely moving speech, and suggested that the way to thank our veterans is to be the best people we can be, starting by being nice to each other. (Yeah, guilty as charged.) In any event, I was touched by her sincerity and told her as much after the ceremony.
Without further ado, please enjoy some of the photographs taken of the ceremony by NMB resident Patricia Nelson Miller.
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
