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NOTE: The City is sharing this information on behalf of Councilman Pickett.

This is from Councilman Pickett's monthly newsletter, which residents can sign up for at: www.cityofpsl.com/newsletter

May 2023

Welcome to the Veterans' View

Memorial Day

Each year we honor our veterans during various events and ceremonies spread throughout the year. May is reserved for paying our respects to those veterans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and that day is Memorial Day.

Observance of Memorial Day dates back to 1868 after the Civil War.


Originally called Decoration Day and was celebrated on May 30. In 1921, Congress officially changed the name from Decoration Day to Memorial Day including any service member who died fighting for our country.


The Uniform Monday Holiday Act changed the date of Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May. This act also established President's Day on the third Monday in February (formerly celebrated on Feb. 22) and Columbus Day on the second Monday in October (formerly celebrated on Oct. 12). 


As America celebrates Memorial Day each year, they do so by having parades, and holding ceremonies that pay tribute to those who were lost defending our nation. Although these ceremonies serve a solemn purpose, for many, the Memorial Day weekend marks an opportunity to take trips, have barbeques and backyard parties. For many, Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer.



Although Memorial Day weekend might mean different things to different people, Memorial Day will always be a day for friends and families to come together, celebrate, and remember all of those who have perished giving us the freedoms we enjoy.


This year will be no different for Port St. Lucie Veterans as we hold a Memorial Day Service on May 29, 2023, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held at Veterans Memorial Park. It doesn't matter if you served or if another member of your family served. Join in the celebration paying tribute to our fallen heroes. We will have veterans from previous wars and veterans’ groups from all over St. Lucie County represented. Hope to see you there.

Veterans Memorial Park nears capacity

Veterans Memorial Park sits on approximately 2.5 acres of land on Veterans Memorial Parkway. The park currently has 13 individual memorials and five grand plaques dedicated to all branches of the US Military. Additionally, two separate time capsules are also located within the park.


Currently, there are three, maybe four, spaces that could accept monuments, depending on the monument's size. The city has been approached by four different organizations that have expressed a desire to erect monuments in our park. 


All four monuments have received approval and the responsibility for financing their construction lies with the respective organizations. 

The city provides the land, a foundation for the monument, landscaping and lighting. However, the city will not cover the cost of the monument itself. 


On April 17, 2023, Bradly Keen, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, addressed the City Council with a request to expand Veterans Memorial Park with the land owned by the city. The parcel is directly east of the current Veterans Park and is approximately 2.83 acres. 


Mr. Keen pointed out that “expansion of the current park would offer space for future monuments and memorials.” Additionally, Mr. Keen mentioned that in 2008, the city had designed an expansion plan that would provide additional parking space and could potentially create a parade ground for future ceremonies.


The proposal for expandng the park was well received. Therefore, it was added to the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This is helpful as it helps city leaders to prioritize and focus on projects that require significant funding to complete and helps to identify future or potential funding sources. 


Hopefully, in the next five years, we will be able to secure federal grants to help us move forward with the expansion of Veterans Memorial Park while the current park is rapidly preparing to hang out the 'No Vacancy' sign.

 

United States Submarine Veterans Park

As Veterans Memorial Park nears capacity, a park on the city's eastern side is more than ready to accept its new monument, which will pay tribute to the sailors, civilians and submarines that have been lost at sea and remain on eternal patrol. 


The United States Submarine Veterans Park, located off Crosstown Parkway, is a beautiful park complete with walking or jogging paths, beautiful landscaping, and a nice big storm retention pond or lake depending on what part of the country you come from.


Although that park was dedicated to those who served on submarines, as the name might suggest, the only aspect that needs to be added to make it complete is a monument or artifact from a submarine to tie everything together. 


Once complete, that memorial will honor all United States Navy Submarines and crews lost since 1915. An inert training torpedo and four granite stones will contain the names and dates of all US Submarines lost. A fifth stone perpetuates the memory of all 65 submarines and some 4000 submariners who remain on eternal patrol. 


At the Special Council Meeting on April 17, 2023, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director requested approval to display such an artifact at Submarines Veterans Park. According to city policy, all war monuments and memorials had to be in Veterans Memorial Park.


The City Council voted unanimously to amend the current directed policy to allow other parks within the city's limits to display monuments and artifacts. The vote had to come sooner or later due to the near capacity of the current Veterans Park and the forthcoming Stars and Stripes Park, which will be online next year. Congratulations to those Submariners who petitioned the city requesting a fitting tribute to their comrades. 

 

St. Lucie County Veterans Services Hosts

Veteran Town Hall/Screening May 6 at Fenn Center

Veterans

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, St. Lucie County’s Veterans Services will host a Veteran Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Havert L. Fenn Center to discuss new legislation which may help them apply for more veterans’ benefits earned while serving our country in the armed forces. Additionally, local veterans will have the opportunity to partake in a burn pit screening process as well as apply for benefits available to them from state and federal agencies.


Officials with the regional U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will be available to answer questions about the new PACT Act, which expands health care services and benefits to those veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. Enrolled and eligible veterans can participate in on-the-spot PACT Act screening to begin the benefits process. 


The Havert L Fenn Center is located at 2000 Virginia Ave. in Fort Pierce. For more information about this Veterans Town Hall and Screening Event, please visit: www.va.gov/west-palm-beach-health-care.

Upcoming Events

Memory Screening

Tuesday, May 2

from 9:00am to 4:00 p.m.


Community Center

2195 SE Airoso Blvd

Healthy U: Bullying, Cyberbullying and Internet Safety

Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m.


Community Center

2195 SE Airoso Blvd

KPSLB Appreciation Night

Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m.


Gates open at 5:30 p.m., game starts at 6:10 p.m.

Fans who bring two nonperishable food items will receive a free ticket to the St. Lucie Mets game that night. Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful will have a booth at the front of the stadium and will partner with the Treasure Coast Food Bank for the donations. 


This free event is to thank the residents for keeping our City of Port St. Lucie beautiful. 


Clover Park

31 Piazza Drive

Golden Years Senior Dance

Saturday, May 6

from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.


Community Center

2195 SE Airoso Blvd

Mother and Son Dance

Friday, May 12

from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.


Community Center

2195 SE Airoso Blvd

KPSLB Tree Giveaway

Saturday, May 20

from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.


Public Works Department Thornhill

450 SW Thornhill Drive

Memorial Day Service

Monday, May 29

at 10:00 a.m.


Veterans Memorial Park

2100 SE Veterans Memorial Blvd



Visit our events calendar
Military Support

Local Veterans Organizations

To learn more about resources for veterans, please visit any of the following links.


Mailing Address: 5914 N.W. Bayou Court. Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34986

Burn Pit Registry

VA established this registry in 2014 to put data to work for Veterans and help us better understand the potential health effects of exposure to airborne hazards during military service. By joining the registry, you can provide information that will help VA provide better care to all Veterans. To learn more, click the button below.

Learn more

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Health Issues

File a claim in any of these ways:


Operation Sacred Legacy

Indian River State College and the Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Mast announced Operation Sacred Legacy, an effort to provide as many local veteran interviews as possible for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. 


To learn more, click the button below.

Visit our Website

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Councilman Pickett

Tell us what you think of this newsletter.

We're here to serve you.


Please email me at David.Pickett@cityofpsl.com or call me

at 772-871-5159 with your comments or questions.



Sincerely,

Councilman Pickett

David Pickett,

District 2 Councilman

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