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Veterans Honored

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Stan Witzenburg and Bob Ryon members of the VFW Post 4300 Honor Guard raise the flag during a VFW Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday in Sebring.

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: November 12, 2008

SEBRING - Photos Available For Purchase

A steady breeze blew from the northeast Tuesday morning as the American flag was hoisted into the sun-filled skies outside of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4300 over Sebring in commemoration of Veterans Day.

VFW 4300 Past Post Cmdr. Bob Ryon and current Senior Vice Cmdr. Stan Witzenburg accepted the Old Glory from Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Barry Salton, before running the flag up the staff.

VFW Post 4300 Cmdr. Fran Collum Jr. welcomed an estimated crowd of 75 to 100 veterans, honorees, their families and friends who gathered for the ceremony.

"Today we honor America's veterans for keeping America the land of the free and the home of the brave," said Collum.

Collum presented Lt. Col. Gary Gossett Jr., of the U.S. Army Reserve and Florida National Guard, with its Veterans of Foreign Wars Veteran of the Year Award.

"Thank you for your service to our great nation and God bless you," Collum said.

Gossett began his military career in December of 1983 when he enlisted as a cavalry scout in Troop E., 153rd Cavalry, Florida Army National Guard. He later earned his commission from the Army ROTC program at the University of Florida.

Among his credits during his 25 years of service, Gossett graduated from a number of U.S. Army schools, including the U.S. Army War College, Defense Strategy Course, Command and General Staff Officers Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Air and Missile Defense Officers Course and others.

He served on active duty overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and further served in Korea, Panama, Germany, Israel and Japan.

At home, he served in Operation American Rescue Sept. 11, 2001, the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season, Hurricane Georges, Hurricane Elena, Operation Firestorm in 1998 and Operation Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

He is currently assigned as an executive officer, 930th Army Liaison Team, providing liaison to multi-national forces on behalf of the U.S. Theater Commander.

Gossett Jr. thanked the VFW, saying he was enjoying his 25th year of service.

"I hope to have a few more to get my 30 in," he said.

The Post also honored four members with over 50 years of service, two of whom are charter members.

Lou Lephart, 86, was recognized for his 62 years of service to the Post.

Also receiving awards were Amos Freeland, also with 62 years of service to the Post; Larry Francisco with his 61 years of service and Allen Collier with 53 years.

Three young people also were presented with the Post's Voice of Democracy awards.

They are the winners of an audio essay on how America's veterans influenced their daily lives, said Post Adjutant Steve Farrell.

The first-place winner was Anthony Toler, who won a $300 scholarship; second place was Erica Estep; and the third-place winner was Heather McIntyre.

Edmund Fischer, District 23 commander VFW, said the three will join winners from six other posts, Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid, Fort Meade, Wauchula and Arcadia.

Those essays are then reviewed and a winner is selected to go on to a state competition in Orlando. The state winner then competes in a national competition with the other 49 states.

The national winner gets a $30,000 scholarship and a weekend at the capital, said Farrell.

"It's a great thing for the kids who can put it on their resume or when they apply for a grant," he said.

Later in the day, a crowd gathered at Veterans Beach for another round of ceremonies.

Sebring Mayor George Hensley, who is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves, and Highlands County Commissioner Edgar Stokes were the guest speakers.

The two events were followed by a Veterans Day service and parade spearheaded by Howard Jenkins and sponsored by the Heartland Workforce, at the downtown Sebring Circle.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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