Photo By Sgt. Brianna Gaudi | A sailor shakes the hand of a veteran during a Salute to the Veterans ceremony during...... read more read more
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When asked what their favorite day of the year is, many people would name a holiday or birthday, but for the residents of one South Florida senior center, the day that they look forward to the most is the day the Marines and Sailors visit.
The Marrinson Senior Care Residences hosted a salute to veterans event at their campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 3, 2016. The center invited active duty Marines and Sailors to visit with the senior citizens and exchange their stories.
“This is the most popular thing we do. They love it,” said Lori Musto, the Marrinson Senior Care Residences Administrator. “I think they see a little bit of themselves when they were young and in the military, when their lives were ahead of them.”
The event began with a performance by the Navy Band Southeast Fair Winds and the recitation of the National Anthem. Next, Rear Adm. Scott A. Buschman, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Seventh District, spoke to the group about the importance of honoring our nation’s veterans. After the presentation, the veterans and active duty members enjoyed a BBQ luncheon together.
“We have some great folks here who have some great stories and they just love to have young ears and eyes mesmerized by their stories,” said Musto.
The veterans weren’t the only ones who appreciated the interaction. The active duty Marines and Sailors were honored to hear about the history of military and what it was like in the past from someone who actually lived it.
“It’s an experience,” said Cpl. Juliana Valladares, a supply warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Regiment 25. “They tell you their story and you get a visual of what they went through and experienced. They make your day and tell you to enjoy life. One of the biggest things one of the veterans that I was talking to kept on harping on was to enjoy life.”
Overall, the event was a great success to everyone involved and the veteran residence are already looking forward to next year’s event.
“I think they feel important and pertinent in the world when the world doesn’t think seniors are,” said Musto. “This country isn’t so great with respecting seniors but today they have a captive audience who are just tickled to hear their stories.”
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2016 08:43 |
| Story ID: | 197239 |
| Location: | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Marrinson Senior Care Residences salutes veterans, by Sgt Michelle Reif, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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