Memorial Day
Program
Monday May 25, 2026
The American Legion Cemetery, Inc.
and
The American Legion
USS Tampa Post 5 Families
Program
Introduction
Angel Valentin
Commander of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5
Welcome
Terry Doan
Director of the American Legion Cemetery Corporation,
Member of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5,
Member of the 40&8 Voiture 199
Invocation - Opening Prayer
Chaplain Katherine Miller
Chaplain of the American Legion Post 5,
Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5,
Member of the 40&8 Voiture 199,
Director of the American Legion Cemetery Corporation
Advancement of Colors
Color Guard from Jefferson
Sons of the American Revolution
Pledge of Allegiance
Tammy Zell
President of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 138
Vocalist
National Anthem
Keynote Speaker
DIrector of Intelligence for the US Special Operations Command
Reading of "In Flanders’s Field"
by John McCrae
Kristi Miner
President of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 139
Guest Speaker
Florida House of Representatives
Post Everlasting - Placement of Wreaths
Announcements by J.R. Scoggins
American Legion Post 5, Past Commander
Presentation by Lee Weiss
American Legion Post 139, Past Commander
Vocalist
God Bless America
Benediction - Closing Prayer
Yolanda Valentin
President of the American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Auxiliary Unit 5
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
Chaplain Katherine Miller
Chaplain of the American Legion Post 5,
Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5,
Member of the 40&8 Voiture 199,
Director of the American Legion Cemetery Corporation
Bio's
Bella Benson
Bella Benson recently turned 10 and is a fourth grader at Academy of the Holy Names. Bella is an award-winning competitive dancer and a working actress. Off the stage, she is a devoted big sister to 6-year-old Brooklyn and a proud pet lover who adores her rescue dogs and cats. Bella is honored to be a part of this special Memorial Day celebration.
BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES T. BLEJSKI JR.
Director of Intelligence (J2) U.S. Special Operations Command
Brigadier General Jimmy Blejski assumed duty as the Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) on 6 May 2024.
BG Jimmy Blejski enlisted in the Army National Guard as an Infantryman in 1991 under the Simultaneous Membership Program and was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and
Distinguished Military Graduate from The Citadel in 1995.
BG Blejski’s first assignment as a Second Lieutenant was with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division forward stationed in Germany. While assigned to 2-3 FA, he served as a fire support officer and platoon leader deploying to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operations Implementation Force and Stabilization Force. After completion of the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, BG Blejski
served as the Group S2 and MI Detachment Commander for 3rd Special Forces Group
(Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While assigned to 3rd SFG(A), BG Blejski deployed as the CJ2 for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Sarajevo.
As a field grade officer, BG Blejski served as a detachment commander and operations officer for numerous special operations units deploying in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Graduating from the United States Navy’s Command and Staff College in 2009, BG Blejski was assigned as a joint
intelligence staff officer for the United States Special Operations Command.
Following battalion level command, BG Blejski served at the Pentagon as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Division Chief, US Army Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (G2). He graduated from the U.S. National War College in 2016 and then served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2 for the 18th Airborne
Corps deploying to Kuwait and Iraq as the Deputy J2, Combined Joint Task Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon redeployment, BG Blejski served as the Deputy Director of Intelligence and Security for Army Futures Command in Austin, TX before assuming duties as the Division Chief, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare for the US Army Office
of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G8 Force Development. His most recent assignment before
assuming duties as the SOCOM J2 was Assistant Chief of Staff, G3/5/7 for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
BG Blejski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the Citadel, a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. His operational experience includes deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
BG Blejski’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 OLC), Bronze Star (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Senior Parachutist Badge and Military Freefall Parachutist Badge.
"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
