Allegro Remembers Veteran’s in Honor of Memorial Day
Allegro Remembers Veteran’s
in
Honor of Memorial Day
The Sales and Marketing Team of Allegro Senior Living in St. Petersburg, Florida presented an opportunity for Veteran’s to share their stories and experiences they had while serving our country in honor of Memorial Day. While many unite to share grand picnics and gatherings, we all must take a moment to pause and recall that Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have given their all and those who remain Prisoners of War or and remain Missing In Action to provide our Freedom.
In a meeting held on May 23, 2014, well attended by the Veterans of South Pinellas County, Emcee Allen Collins, Realtor®, of Allen Collins Realty shared veteran Wayne Mac Dowell’s message that we need to take some time and remember those who are in our over sea’s cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The Oversees Cemeteries are located in England, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Tunisia (Northern Africa), and the Philippines. Buried in these cemeteries we have 86,728 known service members and another 6,514 unknown World War II service members. There are also another 78,976 that remain Missing in Action. The average age of these service members is just 22.5 – a life cut short at too young of an age.
After sharing Mac Dowell’s message, Collins introduced William M. Allen (Bill), 
former Prisoner of War for 33 months in the Korean War. Bill spoke about the time he was held capture in North Korea and the experiences he and fellow serviceman had when the Chinese entered North Korea. His heartfelt stories touched everyone present at the mid-morning gathering. Bill has a section in the Armed Forces History Museum, Largo, Florida where he shares Prisoner of War memorabilia and his book “My Old Box of Memories – Thoughts of the Korean War.” Visit www.armedforcesmuseum.com for details.
Cpt. Carol Barkalow was then introduced by Collins. Barkalow shared her experiences as an Army service member and one of the first to graduate from West Point’s initial class which included women. She went on to serve our country for over 22 years and authored the book “In The Men’s House.” Barkalow has since founded Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc. which has the long term goal of providing free temporary housing to veterans and their families. She shared the progress and some experiences the organization has had in its infant years. Heaven of Earth for Veterans will bridge the gap that exists when a needy veteran requests financial support to the time that they actually receive benefits. This is an effort to keep well deserving veterans and their family off of the street in the interim. Visit www.heavenonearth4veterans.com for more information.
Participants, who were served a wonderful brunch, were given time to share their own stories one-on-one with fellow veterans. Guests of Allegro were presented with thank you notes for service, an Allegro bag and a single rose to remember those who died or went missing for our freedom. Take a moment out of your life and give thanks on this Memorial Day.
Theresa Lynn Collins
727-800-9929
International Real Estate Executive
Realtor® – Allen Collins Realty, Inc.
US Navy Veteran
