Thank you to Beth Heath and her team at We Can Be Heroes Foundation, Rich Jones of WOKV and John Scott, emcees, Guest of Honor Retired Navy Captain Greg Streeter, Black Creek Young Marines of Orange Park Honor Guard, Publix for their generous donation of food and refreshments, and most especially our nation’s veterans in attendance along with military spouses and families.

As Immediate Past President of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge #2791 here in Jacksonville, Annette noted that the Lodge’s more than 100 members include a full 25% of veterans from all branches of service.

She also reflected on her own family connection to military service as the daughter of an Okinawa veteran, the sister of a Vietnam combat veteran, the wife of a Vietnam-era veteran, and daughter-in-law of a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Annette shared that Frank Purpura discovered the Lodge when one of his granddaughters was awarded the Lodge scholarship. He became a faithful and loyal member, often hosting board meetings in his home, where the backyard was an orchard of fruit trees.

Frank served as Sergeant-at-Arms for many years. He walked and carried a banner in Jacksonville Veterans Day parades for decades and was later encouraged to ride in a ceremonial car after age 95.

“We never had a name for our annual scholarship but once Frank died, we unanimously voted to name it as the Francis Anthony ‘Frank’ Purpura Memorial Scholarship in perpetuity.”

Annette closed by reminding those present of the humility and heroism of generations of warriors who have allowed Americans to continue living in freedom.