About a week ago, Tom Scott put up a Purple Martin house near the shore of Grassy Lake. He put a decoy bird on top to attract the birds to their home. The problem was, they didn’t like the decoy. The kept dive-bombing it, knocking it crooked.
Well, this morning, bright and early, Tom took the decoy off the house, and guess what? The Purple Martins are so happy. Here are some photos from this last evening and this evening. They are now exploring and trying to decide which little nooks are their favorites.
Many thanks to the Highlands News-Sun for their front-page coverage of our Veterans Honor Ceremony and Celebration of Life. Kim Moody attended the event, and her article and photos appeared in the February 22nd edition.
Our sincere thanks to the paper and the author for granting us the permission to add this wonderful article to our Camp Florida website.
The annual Camp Florida Ceremony honoring our Veterans and celebrating the lives of those relatives, friends, and neighbors we have lost over the past year was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20. (Click here to download a copy of the program.)
Just prior to the beginning of the event, one of our Bald Eagles flew over the gathering and perched magnificently in a pine tree by the lake, looking with anticipation at what was about to happen. He remained there through part of the ceremony, flying back over to the nest near the time of the honoring of the POAs/MIAs.
Preparations
The Crowd Gathered
The Color Guard and Presentation of the Flags
Singing of the National Anthems, Raising the Flag, and Pledge of Allegiance
Oh Canada
The Star Spangled Banner
Folding the Flag
POW/MIA Flag Bearer
A Reading by Tom Scott, and Remember Me, a Song Written and Performed by Mary Lou Wood (Click here to download the lyrics of this song.)
Missing Man Table
Calling All CF Veterans
Celebration of Life – Reading by Diane Lucey, Reading of Names and Remembrance
Releasing of the Balloons, Taps by Thom Kainz, Patriotic Balloon Release
Welcome to Camp Florida POA Lake Placid Florida 