November 10, 2007
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Honors Veterans at State Heritage Festival
WHITE SPRINGS – Gulf War veteran and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole today joined Rolling Thunder, Inc., and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park to salute American war veterans, prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action with a ceremonial raising of the POW-MIA flag. The morning ceremony began the second day of the park’s annual three-day Florida Folk Festival, one of the most revered state folk festivals in America.
“It is a privilege for DEP’s state parks to honor the American soldiers who have courageously dedicated and sacrificed their lives to serve and protect our country,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Raising these flags reminds our residents and visitors to appreciate and respect the many freedoms and privileges we enjoy, such as Florida’s state parks and the recreational opportunities and festivals they provide.”
An advocacy group for the POW-MIA flag, Rolling Thunder, Inc., provided DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks with POW-MIA flags for display at state parks throughout Florida. Representatives from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the local Veteran’s Affairs Hospital participated in the ceremony. Songs played by the United States Navy Band Southeast from Jacksonville followed the flag-raising, commencing the Florida Folk Festival’s Saturday musical line-up.
“From this moment on, millions of state park visitors will see that the state of Florida remembers and recognizes those men and women that have been held as prisoners of war,” said Rolling Thunder, Inc. state representative Ray Thompson. “They will also recognize that we have not now, nor will ever forget those brave men and women that have answered their country’s calling.”
The Florida Folk Festival was moved to Veterans’ Day weekend from Memorial Day weekend this year due to wildfires in the area. Today’s ceremony begins the daily raising of the POW-MIA flag at state parks. In addition to the national and state flag, the POW-MIA flag will be flown from opening to sunset.
“I salute Rolling Thunder and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for taking this step to honor our veterans,” said Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Communications Director Steve Murray. “With POW/MIA flags now flying in our state parks, interstate highway rest stops and over the State Capitol, Florida is at the forefront of honoring our POWs and MIAs.”
Retrieved December 4, 2007, from http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2007/11/1110_01.htm
