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Port St. Lucie Honor Flight variety show helps send WWII Veterans to D.C.
Cadet Staff Sergeant Caitlin Garrett
C/Maj. Cerrulli and C/Capt. Salzano present a check of $1,000 to Tony Reese, treasurer of Southeast Florida Honor Flight Inc.
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Treasure Coast High School Air Force Junior ROTC has done it again!
The global academy's AFJROTC, Drama Department and Titan Ensemble blew the crowd away Saturday night at a charity event held at the Sons of Italy Lodge 2594 to raise money to send WW II vets to Washington D.C. to visit their memorial.
Many organizations in the community pulled together to make the event a night to remember. The Sons of Italy Lodge 2594 donated the hall and served up a delicious meal of chicken Marsala and rice pilaf.
TCHS AFJROTC planned, organized and coordinated the entire night, from serving meals to lining up the entertainment. Southeast Honor Flight Inc. advertised and provided assistance with the planning and organizing of the evening.
A special thanks goes to Maggie Casterlin for her expertise and unwavering dedication to Southeast Honor Flight’s goal to get every WW II vet to D.C. to see the memorial.
The evening’s festivities opened with the Treasure Coast Titian Ensemble, led by Bill Dake, performing a tribute to all the branches with a medley of the service themes while AFJROTC cadets presented the service flags. This was followed by a remembrance of those still missing and held prisoner with the posting of the MIA/POW flag.
The opening ceremony culminated with the singing of the National Anthem and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The show was opened by Al Maeyens performing his Elvis Las Vegas-style show. His performance left the crowd fired up and ready for more.
Following Elvis, the TCHS Drama Department, directed by Ben Earman, did a rendition of Abbott and Costello’s "Who’s on First," which had the crowd roaring with laughter.
The TCHS AFJROTC performed silent unarmed and armed drill exhibitions, and the hilarious comedian, Marc Zimei, took the event to the intermission.
After the break, the TCHS Drama Department performed a scene from its upcoming play, "Steel Magnolias."
The evening was brought to a close with Maggie Casterlin singing "Now is the Hour," and the entire audience stood and held hands while raising their voices in a tearful rendering of "God Bless America."
When it was all said and done, the event netted $4,113 to help send vets to D.C.
Thanks to all who helped make the evening a night to remember, and if I missed any acknowledgements, please accept my apology and know that your dedication and service to a great cause was truly appreciated.
Lt. Col. (ret.) Joe Cavallaro
TCHS AFJROTC
This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.com