Memorial Day 2021
J. Todd Pierce
AVP @ Engle Martin & Associates | Complex Property Risks | Energy, Renewables, Power Gen Risks | Construction & Builders' Risk | Captives
This year’s Memorial Day begins a new journey of recognition for my father having served in Vietnam becoming one of the many killed in action. Thanks to a new resolution adopted this month in our then hometown, City of Neptune Beach Florida, Memorial Day is now a year of “Memorial Moments” for us.
Resolution 2021-10 recognizes four local military residents that served our country becoming wartime casualties authorizing the placement of a new memorial street sign where they lived. Four Veterans are now forever linked proudly on display throughout Neptune Beach: Sergeant Joseph H. Pierce, Jr., Corporal Dennis Lamar Bunting, Commander Thomas Earl Dunlap, and Captain John Fredrick Lorraine Jr. Four families forever bound within a community forever demonstrating the solidarity of a grateful national.
While this gesture is humbling and an honor to our family, to me it is more about the message it can serve publicly. These signs will serve as both curiosity and gratitude when people pause to ponder the person, the act, the purpose. While our families struggled with each personal loss many years ago, the message today is about learning of sacrifice and service to a country that continues to enjoy earned freedoms.
May the message be to practice peace over conflict, love over hate, true empathy and embrace all people as equal humans. Some people become heroes; most are not. Some people become leaders, most only follow but together we represent a resilient nation sacrificing endlessly for family, for neighbors, for Country. Unity runs wide when individuals strive to do better in their community that sometimes only needs a sign to spark it.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation and Thank You to the City of Neptune Beach leaders, Mayor and Council Members along with staff for your approval of this resolution.
To those Vietnam Veterans who returned home, Thank You for your service and Welcome Home! May you always experience peace, love, joy and happiness in your communities.
And last, THANK YOU Lenny Jevic for your vision, passion, and tenacity having the vision to bring this program to life within all the beach communities of Jacksonville. Thank You for your service, may you continue to shine brightly for all veterans and their families!
May God Bless, enjoy Memorial Day 2021.
Sincerely,
J. Todd Pierce
Associate Vice President at Engle Martin & Associates
3 年This is great, Todd. I've driven by Hopkins many many times. Looking forward to seeing your dad's name next time I am down there.
Senior National Account Executive at Engle Martin
3 年Thank you for sharing his story.
Managing Director - Insurance Claims Industry Consultant
3 年Our sincere Thank You to the heroes who maintain our freedom !!
Insurance Consultant, Claims Professional, Public Adjuster
3 年May his memory be a blessing and it is with honor, respect and gratitude - he is remembered. May he Rest In Peace
God bless your Dad! Happy Memorial Moments! All the best my friend ????