The Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Homestead/ Florida City Chamber of Commerce reently added four Soldiers and Marines who died in the line of duty and two Navy veterans to its Veterans’ Memorial in Losner Park in Historic Downtown Homestead.
As it has done for all the previous veterans honored, the Masonry Class of the Homestead Job Corps Center, under the director of their instructor Terry Devine, placed the memorial bricks in places of honor.
Two men who were killed in Vietnam were added after it was discovered that they had grown up in Homestead and Florida City. SSgt Charles Geronimo, U.S. Army, was killed in action May 12, 1968. U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Steve E. Byars was killed in action on Mar. 23, 1969. He grew up in Florida City.
Spec. Geraldo Campos, U.S. Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan in June 2012. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Spec. Bernard Hill Jr., U.S. Army, was killed in Germany in April 2012.
Navy Chief Bobby L. Loudy served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
John Askins, U.S. Navy, served 1967-71 with duty in Vietnam in 1969.
Those wishing to remember a family member, friend or loved one who served our country honorably in uniform may do so by purchasing a memorial brick for $50. Applications can be submitted at the Homestead Historic Town Hall Museum Tuesdays-
Saturdays, 1-5 p.m., or by contacting Bob Jensen at 305-248- 0976 or at bjensen@1stnatbank.com. The bricks are installed once annually and engraving takes time so orders should be placed as soon as possible.
