Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '24

Martin Downs, Page 9

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MAY 2024 PAlM CitY CoMMunitY Center, 2701 S.W. Cornell Ave., PAlM CitY
Phone: (772) 286-8121 FAx: (772) 286-3331
WWW.PAlMCitYChAMber.CoM

President’s Message

May for the Palm City Chamber of Commerce always YMCA, and the neighbor to the Palm City Chamber office, Treasure Coast Rowing Club.
starts with our Cinco de Mayo themed Annual Golf Finally, with summer right around the corner, the Palm City Chamber is eagerly awaiting
Tournament at Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club. This the opening of The Patio at Palm City Place. Stay tuned to the Chamber’s event page or
year marks our 29th Tournament! It’s hard to believe that sign up for our weekly newsletters, so you don’t miss the chance to participate in the ribbon
we are in May already, though. This month is traditionally cutting and grand opening. I believe this addition to Mapp Road will dramatically enhance
a month of transition for most folks. The full backs or half our downtown feel. There are already many rumors about new restaurants and shops coming
backs are shuttering up and heading back to their cooler because of all the work done all along the Mapp Road corridor.
summer (hurricane free) home. The kids are excited to be
ending their school year and heading into the freedom of David L Bradford Jr, CFP , CEPA ®
®
summer. Then, there’s the parents of those children who are President, Palm City Chamber of Commerce
likely feeling a different emotion as they scramble to enlist Financial Advisor – Edward Jones
their children in some summer camps, while not trying to
spend thousands of dollars in the process. As a family with four children, (ranging from
4 to 12 years of age), we have an additional challenge of also balancing to not have four
different drop-offs at all corners of the county. If you happen to share these same feelings
and challenges, I’d encourage you to seek out some of our Chamber members who provide
excellent and engaging camps throughout the summer. Here are a few to help narrow your
search: Boys & Girls Club of Martin County, PAL (Police Athletic League), Project Lift,
executive Director’s Corner

Saturday, April 6 was the 50th flight for our local Southeast
Florida Honor Flight. This was my fourth trip and each
one has been special in its own way. The day is totally and
completely focused on celebrating our heroes and treating
them to a day of honor and respect.
My veteran this time was Dave Young. Dave is a local
photographer and owns Dave’s Airport Shuttle Service.
Dave served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was
stationed in Thailand. He registered for the Army and was
very fortunate with his deployment.
Traveling to Washington, D.C., for the day is exhausting and exhilarating at the same
time. We left Stuart at 3:30 a.m. and returned about 10 p.m. The buses were escorted to Palm
Beach International by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department and a motorcycle brigade.
The veterans are treated to a well-deserved water cannon salute at PBIA and Reagan
International Airport. The welcome to Reagan included music, signs, and a large crowd. Southeast Florida Honor Flight 2024
We proceeded to go to Arlington National Cemetery for the
changing of the guard ceremony. It is always a very moving
and dignified ceremony. We caught a few cherry blossoms 2024 Palm City Chamber of
still on the trees. Then we were off to lunch.
After lunch, we went by the Iwo Jima Memorial Commerce board of Directors
and headed to the World War II Memorial, Washington
Monument, the Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial,
and the Lincoln Memorial. We walked along the reflection President David Bradford Edward Jones
pond from WWII to Lincoln. President Elect Peter Sicoli Sailfish Insurance
As we walked, I was able to watch the crowd as they
noticed all the people in red hats signifying Honor Flight. Vice President Meghan Shirey Boys & Girls Club of Martin County
Their reactions were heartwarming. Strangers would stop Treasurer Rebecca Beckett HJ Sims
to shake the hand of a veteran and say, “Thank you for your
service.” The biggest impression made to me was when Past President Don Pipes Sunshine Land Design
people were thoughtful enough to say, “Welcome home,” Vietnam War Veteran Dave Director Christina Franco Hampton by Hilton
to the Vietnam vets because they did not receive that when Young and Missi Campbell, Director Tyson Waters Fox McCluskey Bush & Robison
they returned. Palm City Chamber Executive
On my first Honor Flight, I was lucky enough to meet Director Director Carolyn Leibowitz Cruise Planners
Senator Bob Dole. My veteran that time was Seymour Director Shaun Plymale Treasure Coast Legal
Hoffman, and he is a World War II veteran. He is now 102 and I adore him.
As I pushed Mr. Hoffman in a wheelchair by the Vietnam Wall, a young man with rainbow Director Mike Gonzalez Blue Stream Fiber
colored hair walked by. Mr. Hoffman asked me why he did that to his hair. I said it was his Director Rob McLaughlin Access 365 Urgent Care
own personal freedom to do what he wanted to do to his hair. A few minutes later, we were
in front of the Korean War Memorial and the same young man was walking toward us. He Director Patrick Gleason State Insurance
stopped and bent down to shake Mr. Hoffman’s hand. Then he said, “Thank you for your Director Steve Klaassen Colorado Pawn & Jewelry
service. Because of men like you, I can be who I am today.” It was one of the most beautiful Director Amanda Foster Zarro Mortgage
moments of my life and I will never forget it.
Director Chris Coller Twinkles

Director Daniel Wade Century 21 Move with Us
Missi Campbell
Executive Director Director James FitzGerald Mattamy Homes
Palm City Chamber of Commerce Ex-Officio Toby Overdorf State Representative
Ex-Officio Ed Ciampi Martin County Commission
Ex-Officio Michael DiTerlizzi Martin County School Board