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NOTE: The City is sharing this information on behalf of Councilman Pickett.
This is from Councilman Pickett's monthly newsletter, which residents can sign up for at: www.cityofpsl.com/newsletter
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Welcome to the Veterans' View | |
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This month we highlight the 80th anniversary of The Four Chaplains Ceremony on Feb. 5, 2023. This year’s ceremony will be held at Grace Emmanuel Church, 707 Kitterman Rd., Port St. Lucie.
On Feb. 3, 1943, the USS Dorchester was making its way across the North Atlantic, traveling through what was then called “torpedo alley” en route to Greenland. The crew was unaware that they were being stalked by an enemy submarine. The enemy torpedoed the USS Dorchester. The direct hit caused an explosion in the ship's boiler room, and she began taking in water immediately. Due to the ship's location and security reasons, the crew couldn't fire distress flares, and the escort ships traveling with the Dorchester forged on, unaware that the Dorchester was sinking.
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In a stressful time, chaos ensued. Lifeboats were overloaded and often capsized, sending passengers plummeting into the icy waters of the Northern Atlantic. Rafts floated away before anyone was able to handle them. Some men clung to the ship's railings, too frightened to let go. The four chaplains passed out life jackets to the terrified men until all the life jackets had been exhausted. At this time, the chaplains surrendered their life jackets and decided to remain with the sinking ship. | |
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As life rafts floated away from the USS Dorchester, the four Chaplains gathered the remaining men onto the main deck with their heads bowed and arms interlocked. Then, the four chaplains led those who remained in prayer as the ship sank to the bottom of the Northern Atlantic.
It was not the only heroic act aboard the Dorchester that night. Still, the identity of these four young men, representing three religious faiths, adds symbolism to their sacrifice.
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Veterans Services Offers New Hours,
Location in Fort Pierce
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St. Lucie County’s Veterans Services staff will be working from a new location with revised hours to better serve our present and past military personnel and their families.
Starting Feb. 7. Veterans Services will offer walk-in services at the Family Success Center, 714 Avenue C in Fort Pierce, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The newly renovated Family Success Center houses the Transit and Community Services departments, including the Housing and Human Services Divisions. Additionally, this space includes other state agencies/programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Florida Community Health Center (OB-GYN/Pediatrics).
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St. Lucie County’s Veteran Services will continue to hold office hours by appointment at the Dorothy J. Conrad Building, 1664 S.E. Walton Road, Suite 205, Port St. Lucie.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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The Veteran Services Division helps veterans and their families with applying for assistance and benefits that are available through state and federal agencies, as well as providing transportation to medical services. Last year, St. Lucie County’s Veterans Services Division helped more than 4,700 Veterans, widows, and veteran family members. | | |
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For more information about St. Lucie County’s Veterans Services, call 772-337-5670 or visit www.stlucieco.gov/veterans.
For more information, contact:
Erick Gill, Communications Division Director
772-462-1791 or gille@stlucieco.org
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Healthy U: Homelessness
Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.
Community Center
2195 SE Airoso Blvd.
Four Chaplin’s Ceremony
Feb. 5, 2:00 p.m.
707 Kitterman Rd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Memory Screening
Feb. 7, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Community Center
2195 SE Airoso Blvd.
River Nights
Feb. 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Veterans Park at Rivergate
2200 SE Veterans Memorial Pkwy
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Scotty McCreery Concert
Feb. 11, 7:00 p.m.
MIDFLORIDA Event Center
9221 SE Event Center Place
Citizen Summit
Feb 18, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Community Center
2195 SE Airoso Blvd.
Veterans Dental Event
FREE dental care for military veterans
Feb 24-25
Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds
9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach
visit www.flamom.org.
Healthy U: Adoption
March 1, 6:30 p.m.
Community Center
2195 SE Airoso Blvd.
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Local Veterans Organizations | |
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To learn more about resources for veterans, please visit any of the following links.
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VA established this registry in 2014 to put data to work for Veterans and help us better understand the potential health effects of exposure to airborne hazards during military service. By joining the registry, you can provide information that will help VA provide better care to all Veterans. To learn more, click the button below. | |
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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Health Issues
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Indian River State College and the Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Mast announced Operation Sacred Legacy, an effort to provide as many local veteran interviews as possible for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
To learn more, click the button below.
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Tell us what you think of this newsletter.
We're here to serve you.
Please email me at David.Pickett@cityofpsl.com or call me
at 772-871-5159 with your comments or questions.
Sincerely,
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David Pickett,
District 2 Councilman
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