At their final luncheon of the season, Military Officers Association of America, Indian River County Chapter members and visitors viewed plans to build a World War II tribute on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary.
The WWII project has been approved by VMIS, city and county leadership, and MOAA is now actively raising some $400,000 to fund it.
Lt. Col. Carroll Oates, USA (Ret.) and Col. Tony Young, USA (Ret.) are co-chairing the WWII tribute committee. Similarly, MOAA members Col. Michael DiScipio, USMC (Ret.) and Col. Carlos Halcomb, USAF (Ret.) co-chaired the World War I “Dixie Doughboy” statue on Memorial Island, which was dedicated on Veterans Day 2021.
Rather than a statue or monument, the WWII tribute is being planned as a permanent Parade Reviewing Stand to replace the mobile staging currently used for ceremonies on the island.
The 30-inch-high platform would display the Victory Medal (front and back), Vero Beach Naval Air Station Logo and Honorable Discharge Pin on pillars, as well as WWII Campaign Ribbons from the Americas, Asia Pacific, European Africa and the Victory Medal. Future WWII tributes, such as to Normandy and Iwo Jima, are a possibility.
Their proposal would shift the current view of the stage area some 20 degrees west, so that audiences no longer face the sun. To enhance the site and provide shade, a Contemplation Grove would be planted behind it and additional trees would surround the seating area, with sight lines radiating out to other monuments on the island and to the lagoon.
John Michael Matthews, VMIS chairman, said that any work must wait until the city replaces the bridge to the island. Money has already been set aside for that $1.3 million project, which they hope will be completed by Memorial Day 2023.
Although she admits that it may be optimistic, committee member Barbara Ruddy would like to see the WWII tribute dedicated on Veterans Day 2023 to honor the 42 residents of the county who lost their lives during WWII and all the other residents who served in that war.
“We all know that these living veterans from World War II are dying at a very high rate of speed. They’re in their late 90s, early 100s, and so for me, speed is an essential item,” said Ruddy.
As a military 501-C19, MOAA is limited by the amount of donations it can accept annually, so contributions to the project are being funneled through the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Checks should be made out to CCIRC-WWII Tribute, 1216 21st St., Suite 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Photos by Kaila Jones
