Memorial Day
Program
Monday May 26, 2025
The American Legion Cemetery, Inc.
and
The American Legion
USS Tampa Post 5 Families
Program
Introduction
Carlos Gil
Commander of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5
Welcome
Master of Ceremonies Terry Doan
Director of the American Legion Cemetery Corporation and member of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5
Opening Prayer
Chaplain Katherine Miller
American Legion Post 5 Chaplain
Advancement of Colors
Color Guard from Jefferson,
Sons of the American Revolution,
Post 5 Honor Guard
Pledge of Allegiance
Brian Fuerst
Commander of the Sons of the American Legion
Vocalist
National Anthem
Guest Speaker
Andrew Garcia
Student of Jesuit High School
Keynote Speaker
U.S. Air Force
Reading of "In Flanders’s Field"
by John McCrae
Yolanda Valentin
President of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5
Mayor's Proclamation (PDF)
Ed O’Mara
USS Tampa Post 5 member
Post Everlasting - Placement of Wreaths
Announcements by Alyse Duffy
President of the American Legion Corporation
Presentation by J.R. Scoggins and Charlie Bodishbaugh
American Legion Post 5 members
Vocalist
ET1 Joel Gutierrez, US Navy
Closing Prayer
Chaplain Katherine Miller
American Legion Post 5 Chaplain
Three Rifle Volley Salute
and Taps
The American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard
Retrieve the Colors
Color Guard from Jefferson,
Sons of the American Revolution,
Raising of Flags to Full Staff
Closing Remarks
Master of Ceremonies Terry Doan
(Director of the American Legion Cemetery Corporation and member of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5)
Bio's
Electronic Technician First Class Joel Gutierrez (United States Navy), born Baby Gutierrez No. 2 in Fort Knox, KY. He grew up the military child of SFC Jovino Gutierrez and Mother Ida Gutierrez which took him to Germany and Texas. Joel has always had a passion for creating, building, music and at an early age, all of these skills led him towards an interest in electronics which ultimately led him to enlisting in the U.S. Navy as an AECF candidate in November of 2008. His first ship was USS The Sullivans (DDG68) stationed in Mayport Florida, where he spent 4 years as the Ballistic Missile Defense Technician. Later went on to spend 3 years at Defense Media Activity at Ft. Meade, Maryland where he was responsible for designing, maintaining, and managing broadcast production support and transmissions suites that are used to support President Obama, Secretary Carter and many other high DOD officials. Next adventure took him to the USS Dextrous (MCM13) in Manama Bahrain where he served as Leading Petty Officer for OC01 and OE01 divisions. Now he’s at JCSE TAMPA FL winning HF competitions and killing it.
Major General Michael E. Martin is the Director of Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He is responsible for worldwide Global Force Management of Special Operations Forces, directs and supports select special activities, and leads Department of Defense efforts in Military Information Support Operations planning and coordination.
He graduated from Texas A&M University and received his commission through ROTC in December 1992. Prior to this assignment, Maj. Gen. Martin was the Commander, Special Operations Command Korea and Commander, United Nations Command Special Operations Command, Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Maj. Gen. Martin has spent his career in special operations, the air staff, joint combat assignments, as well as numerous combat deployments.
"In Flanders’s Field"
by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Never Forgotten
