Miller: Say Thanks During National Military Appreciation Month
May 7, 2012
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep Jeff Miller discusses saying “thanks” during National Military Appreciation Month.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
I hope to use this newsletter to draw attention to a little-known, but important commemoration: National Military Appreciation Month. The United States Senate first designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999. In 2004, I joined many of my colleagues in the House and Senate in passing H.Con.Res.328—a more comprehensive concurrent resolution that urges the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the American people to recognize May as a special month, and to commemorate it with appropriate ceremonies and events. During the Month of May we celebrate Loyalty Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Victory in Europe Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day. Each of these days is sacred in its own way, but all too often, we fail to stop and observe the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Federal holidays like Memorial Day are often treated as nothing more than three-day weekends, with little or no thought given to those we should be honoring on those days.
Think about where we would be without the service and sacrifice of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coastguardsmen. Think about where we would be without the service of those who fought for our fragile democracy in the years after our forefathers declared our independence. Think about the men and women who answered the call to serve each and every time our Nation faced an enemy determined to impose his will upon our way of life. And, think of the families who endure months and years without their loved ones, dutifully accepting the burden of service, and keeping watch over the homefront. We would not be who we are as a Nation were it not for their sacrifices.
In addition to participating in commemorative events honoring our brave warriors and their families, I will be working this May to ensure our Armed Forces are equipped to fight and win the wars we charge them to prosecute. There can be no better way to show our appreciation for these men and women than by giving them all they need to win and return home safely. This week, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will participate in the markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. Among the most important pieces of legislation considered each year, this bill authorizes defense spending and programs. This will be the 51st consecutive year in which such a bill has passed, and it will be the 12th such bill to which I have had the opportunity to help pass. It is my promise to you to continue to devote my time and energy to shielding our Armed Forces from damaging cuts beyond those they’ve already sustained.
Beyond supporting our active duty servicemembers, as Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am also committed to supporting these men and women when they return home. Throughout the 112th Congress, our Committee has been successful in passing several bills that have been signed into law to improve veteran health and benefit programs, including legislation to reduce veteran unemployment and improve the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
One area on which our committee has been extremely focused is improving the mental health services provided to our veterans as they transition out of the military. Scores of men and women are returning from deployment suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and the VA has not done enough to recognize and treat these medical issues. By the VA’s own estimates, a veteran dies by suicide every 80 minutes, and former service members represent one out of every five suicides in the United States. This is a major issue our country needs to address. On Tuesday, our committee will hold a hearing on ensuring the right quality and quantity of mental health professionals at the VA. This will be the third such hearing in the last year directly related to improving mental health care for those veterans suffering from PTS, TBI, or other mental health diseases. Simply put, we must continue to address the needs of those returning from battle by improving the mental health treatment, counseling, and services that our veterans deserve.
During this National Military Appreciation Month, I implore you to find your own way to say thank you to those who defend our Nation. There are countless organizations around the country and right here in Northwest Florida who, day in and day out, devote themselves to serving our veterans and their families. Get involved. Find the organization that touches you the most and volunteer an afternoon, a weekend, or as much time as you can afford. If you are a business owner or manager, I urge you to seek out the resident talent in our population of dedicated, disciplined, and devoted military veterans. These men and women deserve the very best from those they defend here at home.
Gunter Signs Holmes Softball Scholarship
May 7, 2012
Pine Forest High School senior Sara Grace Gunter signed a softball scholarship to Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss., on Friday. Gunter is the granddaughter of Dot Gunter of McDavid and has numerous relatives in the North Escambia area. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Open Mississippi Series With Win
May 7, 2012
It took 13 innings for the Blue Wahoos to claim a series opening 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves on Sunday night in Pearl, Miss. Didi Gregorius scored from second on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Joel Guzman that resulted in a throwing error at third base by the Braves first baseman.
The Blue Wahoos got going offensively with a solo home run by Cody Puckett in the top of the second inning. Mississippi, countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Blue Wahoos starter Tim Gustafson. Ian Gac came home with the first run on a force out at second base which tied the game. A batter later, the pitcher, Zeke Spruill singled up the middle to drive home Keenan Wiley to put the Braves in front.
Puckett would strike again to drive home his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to centerfield which plated Josh Fellhauer from third and tied the game at two. Pensacola would move in front when Mark Fleury scored on a fielding error by the Braves second baseman on a ball hit by Gregorius that would have ended the inning.
Wiley homered with two outs in the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings before Pensacola scored the winning run on another error in the top of the 13th.
Henry Rodriguez extended his hit streak to 14 games with a 4-for-5 game at the plate. Gregorius and Fellhauer each added three hit games for the Blue Wahoos. Gustafson didn’t record a decision despite his longest start of the season. The right-hander went six innings and allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out six. Wirfin Obispo (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th inning to earn the win. Justin Freeman (S, 1) earned the save by getting the final batter of the game to ground out. Andy Russell (2-1) was tagged with the loss by allowing the winning run to score, despite it being unearned. It was the only run he allowed in his one inning.
The series continues on Monday when the Blue Wahoos send right hander Mark Serrano (2-0, 3.68) to the mound against Mississippi lefty Jose Lugo (2-0, 0.90). First pitch is set for 7:00 at Trustmark Park.
Century Sawmill Day Car Show Winners Announced
May 7, 2012
Winner of the 2012 Sawmill Day Car Show have been announced.
The Best of Show Award was presented to Betty Tharp of Century and her 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.
Top Ten awards were presented to:
- Donnie Carlisle, Lillian, AL – 1967 Mustang GTA Coupe
- Gerald Dubose, Jay- 1940 Chevrolet Coupe
- Dauphin Gohagin, Atmore – 1955 Chevrolet BelAir
- Mike Killam, Baker – 1930 Ford Pickup
- Wilma Runinger, Pensacola – 1964 Ford Thundebird
- Joshua Scott, Walnut Hill – 1975 Chevrolet Corvette
- Louis Tharp, Century – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
- Betty Tharp, Century – 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
- Diane Van Leer, Pace – 1955 Chevrolet BelAir
- Ron Wadkins, Pensacola – 1957 Chevrolet BelAir
For more about Saturday’s Sawmill Day and Car Show in Century, including a photo gallery, click here.
Two Injured In Early AM Molino Crash
May 6, 2012
Two people were injured in an early morning accident in Molino.
The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 95A and Bet Raines Road just after 4:00 a.m. It appeared the driver of a Ford F150 pickup pulled from a stop sign on Bet Raines Road into the path of a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling on Highway 95A. Two people in the pickup were transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while two people in the Tahoe refused treatment.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released.
The Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Flees After Carjacked Ford Involved In High Speed Molino Crash
May 6, 2012
A vehicle taken by an armed carjacker Friday night in Molino was located after a high speed hit and run accident Saturday night.
The carjacking happened in the 5000 block of Schaag Road about 8:40 p.m. Friday. The victim reported that a man approached them and first asked for a ride. Then, the suspect reportedly took the victim’s 2008 Ford Focus at knife point.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the same 2008 Ford Focus was eastbound on North Barth Road near Molino about 8 p.m. Saturday at a “vary high rate of speed”. An unknown black male driver failed to negotiate a right-hand curve and skidded into a small tree. The vehicle continued to travel through the yard of a residence until it finally collided with a Dodge pickup parked in a garage, barely missing the structure of the garage and a nearby house.
The driver finally managed to get the vehicle stopped, according to the FHP, exited the car, had a very short conversation with witnesses and then fled the scene. Authorities were unable to locate him.
The Focus suffered $10,000 in damaged, according to the FHP, while the 1991 Dodge pickup suffered about $50 in damage.
The incident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
For more photos from the scene, click to enlarge.
Pictured: A Ford Focus reported carjacked Friday night was involved in a high speed hit and run accident Saturday night near Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Record Crowds Attend Sawmill Day And Car Show
May 6, 2012
Record crowds attended the second annual Sawmill Day and Car Show Saturday at the Historical Park in Century.
The event featured continuous entertainment, a car show, yard sale, plenty of good food, arts and crafts and free museum tours.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The second annual Sawmill Day and Car Show Saturday in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Dancing In The Streets
May 6, 2012
Members of Heather Leonard’s Danceworks entertained the crowds at the second annual Century Sawmill Day in Century on Saturday. The group practices weekly in Byrneville.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Members of Heather Leonard’s Danceworks perform Saturday in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Parent Workshops To Focus On Summer Learning Loss
May 6, 2012
Byrneville Elementary School will host workshops on Monday focused on “How to Stop Summer Learning Loss” as part of Charter Schools Week.
According to organizers, studies show that by the end of fifth grade, children without summer learning opportunities are nearly three years behind their peers in reading.
Monday’s parent workshops will be held at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. at Byrneville Elementary.
The first 25 participants in each session will receive free summer book bundles. All participants will learn about disguised learning, hear about virtual summer school, get tips on home summer school, discover learning vacations and more.
Byrneville Elementary School is located at 1600 Byrneville Road. For more information, contact Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan at (850) 256-6350.
Not About The Catch: Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo Held In North Escambia (With Gallery)
May 6, 2012
The sounds of excitement were all around Saturday for the 38th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill.
Over the history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Dozens of volunteers stood ready Saturday to help the disabled. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement.
Dozens of disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century.
The Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization. Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill supplies the cold drinks, Escambia River Electric Cooperative supplies the ice, and scores of volunteers join in to make the annual event a success.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the 38th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
