Three members of Watersound Fountains, an independent living community in Inlet Beach, were honored at the Warrior Beach Retreat Salute at Boardwalk Beach Convention Center last month.
Colonel (US Army ret.) Joe Feliciano, Lt. Colonel (US Air Force ret.) Jerry Santens and Colonel (US Air Force ret.) Frances “Frank” Sabo were recognized as honorary guests at the event, held on Thursday, February 26.
The recognition was made possible by the senior living community, which connected Warrior Beach Retreat with its veterans.
“I’ve been involved with Warrior Beach Retreat in the past, but never had the opportunity to bring forth veterans to benefit from the organization,” said Paula Zeller, sales director at Watersound Fountains. “When I found out we had 16 veterans living at the community, I knew we had to make this connection.”
Warrior Beach Retreat, Inc, is a nonprofit organization that makes it possible for combat wounded veterans and their spouses/caregivers to spend a week away at a relaxing beach retreat in Panama City Beach, FL. The organization was founded by Linda and Phillip Cope and their son Jonathan Cope.
Twice a year, Warrior Beach Retreat hosts a parade and Beach Retreat Salute to honor veterans. This year, the event featured guest speaker Sergeant First Class John Wayne Walding, U.S. Army, Ret, who spoke of how far we’ve come as a country in terms of taking care of and honoring our veterans. The speech was emotional for the Watersound Fountains’ seniors honored at the event, all of whom served in Vietnam.
“Our residents were in tears during the ceremony, particularly when John Wayne Walding talked about the reception they received coming home from Vietnam,” said Estella Bowers, regional operations specialist for Watermark Retirement Communities. “It was really special to be able to honor them and give them the recognition and honor they deserve for serving our country.”
The moving tribute left a lasting impression on the residents. In a letter written to community leadership following the event, Lt. Colonel (US Air Force ret.) Jerry Santens had this to say:
“We were humbled to have been mentioned at the meet and greet, enjoyed riding in the Watersound Fountains bus with our name and rank signs along the parade route, then sitting down to the delicious dinner, and being saluted along with other honored Watersound Fountains’ guests during the speech and ceremony.
We will never forget the encouraging words of Guest Speaker, John Wayne Walding, introduced by U.S. Army LTC Allen West, a man we have greatly admired over the years. You have enriched our lives through your kind professionalism, and we agree that moving to Watersound Fountains was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”
The community says it plans to get even more veterans involved in next year’s event, until each of the 16 veterans living at the community has been honored.
