Jane Albury, 84, a former lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. holds a photo of herself at age 22 in uniform during World War II during the Kanapaha Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, November 11. Aaron Daye/The Gainesville Sun

Originally published online at the Gainsville Times.  click here for the article. Remembering Veterans By ALICE WALLACE Sun staff writer Published: Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 11:55 p.m. While many people spent Saturday morning gearing up for the big football game against South Carolina, a few hundred area residents spent a few hours paying tribute to the nation's veterans - in particular, those who fought in World War II. "What they went through and what they did for this country must never be lost or forgotten," said Col. Hubert "Griff" Griffin Jr., commander of UF's Air Force ROTC program. As Griffin addressed the crowd at Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park on Tower Road, he spoke of the pride that World War II veterans have about their service in what he called "the deadliest and costliest war the world had ever seen." "There are no words adequate enough to describe what your sacrifice and your devotion have meant to this country," he said to those veterans who were in the crowd.

The annual Veterans Day celebration at Kanapaha Park, held by Alachua County Veterans Services, included a few hours of speakers, as well as performances by the Fort Clarke Middle School Band and a military re-enactment. Another highlight of the ceremony was the aerial show, when three members of the UF Falling Gators Skydiving Club descended onto the field while four World War II-era AT-6 planes circled overhead and then demonstrated the "Missing Man" formation. Gainesville residents Francis and Rosemary Davis said they had never attended the annual Veterans Day celebration in Gainesville, but they felt it was appropriate when they heard it would be honoring World War II veterans. "Both of our fathers served in World War II," Rosemary said. "So I guess we're here in tribute to their sacrifice." The Davises said both of their fathers missed a large part of their childhoods serving in the war, and Saturday's ceremony brought back familiar feelings. "It brings back a lot of memories," Rosemary said. "We were just so happy when they came home." Webmaster's Note - Tyler, the CEO of Veterans Assistance Program met this remarkable lady during a recent trip to Inversess, FL.  "I was impressed with not only her courage, but her resilience.  She has been through so much in her life, yet all this woman wants to do is to help other veterans just like herself.  She is an inspiration to us all." We here at VAP were so impressed with this young lady that we gave her a $200 grant to help with her electrical bill and food expenses.  From VAP to you Jane, "THANK YOU, for all you have done, and all you continue to do." - Troy, VAP Webmaster

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