- January 9, 2025
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FPC and Matanzas JROTC Cadets retire the colors. Photo by Paige Wilson
“This is indeed an honor,” Sisco Deen said after accepting the Veteran of the Year award. “Thank you, Mary Ann Clark, the president of the Flagler Historical Society.”
Barbara Hall presents a Quilt of Valor to veteran Harry Gilman. Photo by Paige Wilson
A Flagler County Girl Scout gives a thank-you card to U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jack Marshall. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Veterans Services Officer David Lydon introduces the guest speaker: Army National Guard Brigadier General Mike Canzoneri. Photo by Paige Wilson
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Bey accepts a Quilt of Valor presented by Barbara Hall. Photo by Paige Wilson
Neal McCoppin leads the first verse of the U.S. Marine Corps song to celebrate its 242nd birthday. Photo by Paige Wilson
“This is indeed an honor,” Sisco Deen said after being awarded the 2017 Flagler County Colonel Gary E. DeKay Veteran of the Year award.
Flagler County Girl Scouts lower their heads for the prayer. Photo by Paige Wilson
Veteran Harry Gilman sits by the flag pole during the ceremony. Photo by Paige Wilson
A crowd gathered outside the Government Services Building in Bunnell. Photo by Paige Wilson
“I have to say, I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the presentation of this, and I accept it very graciously,” said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Bey after receiving a Quilt of Valor.
The Wadsworth Elementary Choir sings "God Bless America." Photo by Paige Wilson
“We take this opportunity to honor our veterans for giving selfless service and not selfish service,” said Army National Guard Brigadier General Mike Canzoneri.
Veteran Mark Pole sits with his family in the front row. Photo by Paige Wilson
“We come together today to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces: past, present and future,” said Flagler County Commissioner Jean Mealy on behalf of the Flagler Woman's Club.
The U.S. Armed Forces flags are retired at the conclusion of the ceremony. Photo by Paige Wilson
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Bey looks to the speaker. The two-time Purple Heart recipient later received a Quilt of Valor during the ceremony. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sheriff Rick Staly and guest speaker Florida Army National Guard Brigadier General Mike Canzoneri stand during the National Anthem. Photo by Paige Wilson
Veterans in the audience stand for the National Anthem. Photo by Paige Wilson
The FPC Formality Singers perform the National Anthem. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Boy Scouts stand for the National Anthem. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPC and Matanzas JROTC Cadets get ready to post the colors. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sheriff Rick Staly, Army National Guard Brigadier General Mike Canzoneri and Flagler County Commissioners Nate McLaughlin, Donald O'Brien, David Sullivan, Gregory Hansen and Charles Ericksen bow their heads during the prayer.
A veteran bows his head during the prayer. Photo by Paige Wilson
For his dedication to the community after his service in the U.S. Air Force, Captain Sisco Deen was named the 2017 Flagler County Colonel Gary E. DeKay Veteran of the Year at the Flagler County Veterans ceremony.
“This is indeed an honor,” Deen said. “Thank you, Mary Ann Clark, the president of the Flagler Historical Society.”
Deen was left speechless after his brief statement as the crowd outside of the Government Services Building in Bunnell applauded him on Friday, Nov. 10.
Flagler County Veterans Services Officer David Lydon noted that Deen, a Flagler County native, served in the Florida Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Deen was in active duty from January 1963 to August 1974 and then again from May 1975 to February 1979 when he was medically retired. Locally, Deen has made an impact through many organizations, including his work with the Flagler County Historical Society.
“He spends almost all his waking hours researching and transcribing Flagler County history to ensure it’s preserved for future generations,” Lydon said.
Army National Guard Brigadier General Mike Canzoneri, the guest speaker at the ceremony, encouraged the guests to reach out to veterans and their families to say thank you.
“We take this opportunity to honor our veterans for giving selfless service and not selfish service,” Canzoneri said. “I think the piece that I would like to impart to everybody today is the reason why they serve. It’s not just for the flag, but it’s for their family members and our communities and what they have to come home to. They serve because they want to serve a higher purpose.”
Flagler Beach Commissioner Jean Mealy shared a message from the Flagler Woman’s Club.
“We come together today to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces: past, present and future,” Mealy said. “Flagler women would like to thank each of you for your commitment to our great nation and to each of us.”
“We take this opportunity to honor our veterans for giving selfless service and not selfish service.”
- BRIGADIER GENERAL MIKE CANZONERI, FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Two of the veterans in the audience were nominated to receive Quilts of Valor for their service: Harry Gilman and Bob Bey.
“There’s men and women all over the United States that make them and give them to veterans,” Barbara Hall said. “Every veteran is deserving.”
Bey, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has two Purple Heart awards from injuries during war in 1950 and 1951.
“I have to say, I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the presentation of this, and I accept it very graciously,” Bey said after he received the quilt during the ceremony. “We all served a common purpose, and we did our best.”
