The Exhibition, “Star Spangled Heroes” has many component and programs associated with it. Saluting the 100,000 plus Veterans residing in Palm Beach County and the US Military, it is presented by the West Palm Beach Library Foundation at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. Artist, John Bowen, will be the featured speaker and presenter on Thursday, October 16th. The Exhibit takes places from October 11 to December 7, 2014 on the 4th Floor of the Library. The Rickie Report urges everyone to make the time to see this exhibit and participate in the many events being offered. Details are here.
Programs
Meet John Bowen, Veteran, illustrator,nationally known author and watercolorist
Thursday, October 16th 5:30 to 7:00pm
Clematis Room
Presentation by John Bowen, who as an illustrator in the Air Force in Vietnam compiled his drawings and experiences for his book “Eleven Months and Nineteen Days”, which was awarded a Silver Medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association’s Annual Competition in the Autobiography/Memoir Category. John’s watercolors of Florida scenes are favorites at Vizcaya in Miami and he has been traveling around the state presenting watercolor demonstrations.
Film – “Taking Chance”
Friday, October 17th 5:30 to 7:30pm
Auditorium
Historic drama based on the experiences of Marine Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl as he escorted the body of a fallen young Marine, Chance Phelps, back to his hometown in Wyoming from Iraq, starring Kevin Bacon. Discussion of the movie will take place after the film.
Kids Program on Veterans
Sunday, October 19th 2:00 to 4:00pm
Hibiscus Room
Kids will be writing letters enclosed with stars from U.S. flags, to senior veterans in long term care facilities. The kids will also sing patriotic songs and read children’s literature about soldiers and deployment. Arts, Crafts and Snacks. Led by Eileen Shapiro.
Remarkable Lives – Women in the Military
Friday, October 24th 5:30 to 7:30pm
Auditorium light refreshments provided
Hear about the lives of a panel of incredible women sharing their experiences in the Military and as Veterans.
Panel:
Morgan Albano (Marine)
Maxine Elizabeth Bodman (Navy)
Mary Jane Houlahan (Marine)
Kim Lindahl (Army)
Florence Elion Mascot (Air Force)
Norma Tovar (Army)
Eileen Watson (Army)
Charlotte Rebillard (Air Force)
Amber Butyn emcee
Meet Ralph Morse – WWII Photographer
Sunday, October 26th 2:30 to 4:00pm
Auditorium
Meet Ralph Morse, who when he was first hired by LIFE magazine was the magazine’s youngest war correspondent sent to photograph World War II. His pictures documented the war’s Pacific and European theatres and post-war reconstruction of Europe. Morse was the only civilian photographer at the signing of the surrender by the Germans to General Dwight Eisenhower. His photography will be on display from 1:30 to 5pm.
Meet The Vets
Sunday, November 2nd 1:00 to 4:30pm
3rd Floor Pre-Reception Gallery
One-on-one and small group discussions with US veterans from World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq and other periods since the 1940’s. Former Marine Glenn Mize will present an outstanding collection of memorabilia representing all branches of the service.
Perils in Paradise – Palm Beach County and WWII
Tuesday, November 4th 6:00 to 7:30pm
Clematis Room
Hear about Palm Beach County’s fascinating involvement and response to World War II with a series of 1940’s photographs, presented by Tony Marconi, Curator of Education at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.
Film -” The Men”
Thursday, November 6th 2:00 to 4:00pm
Auditorium
In his film debut, Marlon Brando plays a WWII lieutenant who was seriously injured in battle and must adjust to the world without the use of his limbs. Discussion of the movie will take place after the film.
PTSD/PTSS and Our Veterans
Lunch and Learn Panel Presentation
Tuesday, November 18th 12:00 to 1:30pm
Auditorium
Understanding PTSD/PTSS from the perspective of those who help and those who suffer from it.
Bring your own lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
RSVP to 561-868-7715.
Panel
Elizabeth Borsage, PhD – Psychologist, VA Medical Center, West Palm Beach
Major Raul Diaz, PhD – Supervisory Clinical Psychologist, Team Leader, Palm Beach Vet Center, Greenacres
Elaine Rotenberg, PhD – Clinical Director, Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, West Palm Beach
Lisa Bergeron – Marine from 2004-2008 – diagnosed with PTSD
Ray Nazareth – Navy from 1979-1982 – diagnosed with PTSD
Film – Service: “When Women Come Marching Home”
Sunday, November 23rd 1:30 to 3:30pm
Auditorium
Documentary portraying the courage of several women veterans as they transition from active duty to their civilian lives. Through compelling portraits we see the horrific traumas these women faced, their invisible as well as physical injuries and all their challenges receiving benefits and care. Discussion will take place after the film.
Second ANNUAL Countywide High School Essay Contest on
“The Draft” or “U.S. Response to Our Veterans”
Winning Students and Their Teachers Receive Cash Awards
Submission Deadline: December 1, 2014
For information on the submission format and criteria go to www.wbplf.org/ssh or call 561 – 822 – 9972. Underwritten by Alexander “Sandy” Myers
Sponsors to Date
*The Palm Beach Post*
*Sandy and Stanley Trockman*
*Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA*
*Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC*
*Alexander “Sandy” Myers*
*William K. Caler, Jr.*
*Dorothy and Ric Bradshaw*
*Florida Power & Light*
*Wells Fargo, NA*
*Diane Peterson McNeal*
*South Florida Neurology Associates*
Special Thanks
Sherriff Ric and Dorothy Bradshaw – Honorary Chairs
Lesley Hogan and Fred Storch – Co-Event Chairs
Mark Haworth Photography – Molly Tischler
Mark Cohen – Laura Cunningham – George Fisher
Ellie Hart – Madison Harr – David Knapp
Carolyn Ledewitz – Glenn Mize – Bob Morse
Maxwell Nelson – Charlotte Rebillard – Andy Reese
Greg Rydman – Jan Stein – Morley Wiener
Event Host Committee Members
Speakers and Panelists
Board of the WPBLF
Rickie and Jeff Leiter – The Rickie Report
Florida Commission on Women
Historical Society of Palm Beach County
The Vet Center in Greenacres
Vinny Ribolitta from Digital Graphics
Donors of Memorabilia
Amber Butyn – Rebecca Weiss
Chris Murray – Lisa Hathaway
Staff of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
Organizations Supporting Star Spangled Heroes
*ADRC – Your Aging and Disability Resource Center*
*Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service*
*Battle of the Bulge Veterans*
*The Children’s Coalition Inc.*
*Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc.*
*Combat Infantry Association*
*Department of Corrections*
*Dial 2-1-1-Veterans/Family Services & Crisis Intervention*
*Disabled American Veterans South PBC Chapter 152*
*Faith*Hope*Love*Charity*
*Friends of the Mandel Public Library of WPB*
*Historical Society of PBC*
*Jewish War Veterans Post 440*
*Korean War Veterans Chapter 17*
*Military Officers Assoc. of America-FL Council of Chapters*
*Operation Homefront*
*PBC Veterans Committee*
*PBC Democratic Veterans Caucus Foundation*
*PBC Division of Human and Veterans Services*
*PBC Veterans Court*
*POW/MIA Committee State of FL of Disabled American Vets*
*Republican Party-PBC Vets & Military Families Committee*
*Salvation Army*
*School District of Palm Beach County*
*South Florida National Cemetery*
*Southeast Florida Honor Flight*
*Stand Down*
*Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 25*
*Women Veterans of South Florida*
Elected Officials Supporting Star Spangled Heroes
West Palm Beach
Mayor Jeri Muoio
Commissioner Keith James
Commissioner Shanon Materio
Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell
Commissioner Sylvia Moffett
Commissioner Isaac Robinson Jr.
Palm Beach County
Commissioner Steve Abrams
Vice Mayor Paulette Burdick
Mayor Priscilla Taylor
Commissioner Hal Valeche
Commissioner Shelley Vana
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw
Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock
Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher
Public Defender Carey Haughwout
Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits
Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon
Town of Palm Beach Mayor Gail Coniglio
Florida
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater
State Attorney David Aronberg
Senator Jeff Clemens
Senator Maria Sachs
Representative Joseph Abruzzo
Representative Lori Berman
Representative Bill Hager
Representative Mark Pafford
Representative Bobby Powell
Representative Patrick Rooney, Jr.
Representative Irving “Irv” Slosberg
National
Senator Bill Nelson
Senator Marco Rubio
Congressman Ted Deutch
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Congressman Alcee Hastings
Congressman Patrick Murphy
Congressman Tom Rooney
West Palm Beach Library Foundation 411 Clematis Street, 3rd Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone (561) 868-7715 E-mail wpblf@mycitylibrary.org
For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:
Rickie Leiter, Publisher
The Rickie Report
P.O.Box 33423
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
561-537-0291
