Professional Employment History:

• 1966-1973—US Army (Active Duty)
• 1974-2001— Florida National Guard
• 1974-1998–US Treasury Department
  Internal Revenue Service
  Collections Division
  Staff Assistant, Chief Collections Division
  Supervisory Manager
  Lead Classroom Instructor

Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:

The nominee spent four years (2004-2008) as a Commissioner on the Florida Commission on Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA). Also completed six years as the president of the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of the US Army (AUSA). The chapter was heavily involved in supporting the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa. Additionally the chapter provided periodic donations to fund incidentals for the operation of the hospital’s Fisher House, hosted monthly dinners for the hospital’s patients, and invited hospital selected Wounded Warriors as special guests to the chapter’s annual Army Birthday Celebration.

In 2006 the nominee attended a Pasco County School District meeting that was considering names for newly constructed schools. At the meeting he recommended naming a middle school for Medal of Honor recipient SFC Paul R. Smith who gave his life in Iraq to save his fellow soldiers while serving in the 3^rd Infantry Division (3 ID). SFC Smith was born and raised in Tampa, FL and his family was then living in Pasco County. His recommendation was approved by the district. The nominee then contacted 3 ID and notified the division of the dedication ceremony at the school. The division based at Fort Stewart, GA sent down a division honor guard and soldiers from SFC Smith’s former platoon to attend the ceremony. A bronze bust of SFC Smith is prominently on display at the entrance to the school. As a further development SFC Smith’s son became a student in the initial class at Paul R. Smith Middle School.

The nominee has spent countless hours at the National Archives in Maryland searching military records to support recommendations for military awards for soldiers who served with him in Vietnam and for some reason failed to receive their deserved recognition. His actions have resulted in the awarding of Bronze Stars for both Valor and Service, Air Medals, and the Combat Infantry Badges to members of his platoons and company.

Civic Activities and Contributions:

In addition to the previously described positions the nominee held in the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Association of the US Army, he volunteered as a reading tutor to elementary students at two elementary schools in Hillsborough County under the School Enrichment Resource Volunteer in Education program.

Different grade level teachers provide him with students who were struggling in achieving the requisite reading levels. The nominee would sit with these students individually for one hour each week during the school day and help them to improve their reading skills. The one-on-one tutoring had a dramatic impact. Over the course of three years the nominee was successful in helping many students reach their required reading level.

List Any Awards or Honors:

• Lifetime Service Award (AUSA)
• Outstanding Service Award (MAC, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce)
• Abrams Award (AUSA’s second highest award)
• Outstanding Support and Contributions (National Guard Bureau)
• Certificate of Distinguish Service (FDVA)

Nomination Narrative:

My husband has been extremely involved in the Tampa Bay community since his retirement from the military.

He served for five years as the Chairman for the Military Affairs Council (MAC) of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure with the MAC, he coordinated numerous events with the US Central Command and US Special Operations Command, the major commands at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. He was influential in connecting flag officers from these commands with chamber sponsored activities. In addition, he helped to foster improved relationships between the chamber, the city of Tampa, US Central Command, and US special Operations Command. For example, he brought the mayor of Tampa to a military luncheon at MacDill Air Force Base and was told by a fellow general officer that it was the first time the mayor of Tampa had ever attended a luncheon on the base. Further he assisted MacDill Air Force Base in its quest to obtain increased recognition within the US Air Force Mobility Command. He was also instrumental in helping the city of Tampa in its annual Military Appreciation Awards Ceremony for deserving military personnel and veterans in the area.

During his time as president of the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of the US Army, he was tasked with reaching out to Army veterans and recruiting them to become members of AUSA and thus enabling them to take advantage of the organization’s benefits. He thus became a frequent speaker at veterans’ activities.

His efforts on behalf of the soldiers who served with him in Vietnam to obtain combat awards for them clearly demonstrates his volunteerism and his devotion to them to this day.

And speaking of volunteerism, he also volunteers his time to teach ballroom dancing at Hillsborough County Recreation Centers.

He is the consummate volunteer for veterans, military & civic organizations, and his fellow citizens. He truly deserves to be selected for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.