Purple Heart Ceremony: Heroes honored at annual event

It was with tears, smiles and gratitude that military heroes and veterans were honored at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony in Crystal River Saturday.

Dave Sigler

Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart Patriot, Richard Hunt, joined hands with the Patriot Guard Riders to raise their voices in song Saturday proclaiming how proud they are to be Americans during the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony at the Florida National Guard Armory in Crystal River.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

The Crystal River High School Naval JROTC Drill performed Saturday during the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Ryan Weaver, brother of Aaron A. Weaver, shakes hands Saturday with U.S. Rep. Richard Nugent during the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony. Families of other Citrus County residents killed in action were also in attendance for the ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Dean Waterman representing the U.S. Navel League stands guard the wall Saturday honoring Florida's Fallen Heroes on the Global War on Terror on display at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Nature Coast Young Marines posted the colors at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Marleigh Miller sang the National Anthem on Saturday at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Citrus County Commissioners Dennis Damato and Joe Meek were just two of the many elected officials who attended the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Patriot Guard members came from across the state to participate in the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony. Gunny Rogers, Lewis Rosas, Dennis Berry were just three of the riders who attended.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Members of the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart sang out loud during the Patriotic Medley at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Mary Ulyat sings and waves her American flag during the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Sons of the American Revolution presented a recreation of the first awarding of the Military Badge of Merit presented Aug. 7, 1772, by Gen. George Washington.

Buy this photo

Dave Sigler

Participants at the sixth annual Purple Heart Ceremony joined hands Saturday and raised their voices in to the Lee Greenwood song proclaiming how proud they are to be Americans.

Buy this photo

Hundreds of veterans from organizations around the county and elsewhere came to honor living and fallen heroes at the event hosted by the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

At the Florida National Guard Armory, Chapter 776 Commander Ray Michael told a standing room-only crowd that the purpose of the event is to pay tribute to military service members and their sacrifices and to “commemorate the proud legacy of the Purple Heart,” which is awarded to members of the U.S. military who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of an enemy.

The audience included several elected officials and participants ranged from teenage cadets who have yet to start their military careers to octogenarians there to honor comrades who fell decades ago.

 Saturday’s program recognized the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients and veterans everywhere and in particular honored the memories of five Citrus County soldiers.

Sgt. Dennis J. Boles, U.S. Army.

Sgt. Dennis J. Flanagan, U.S. Army.

Cpl. Stanley J. Lapinski, U.S. Army.

Sgt. Robert A. Surber, U.S. Army.

Chief Warrant Officer Aaron A. Weaver, U.S. Army.

Many of their family members were honored guests at the Purple Heart ceremony.

The program included music, prayer, a wreath-laying ceremony and a demonstration by Crystal River High School’s Naval Junior ROTC armed drill team.

The numerous other organizations that participated and supported the event included Nature Coast Young Marines, Sons of the American Revolution, Citrus Detachment 819 Marine Corps League, Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 192, Citrus County Composite Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol, West Citrus County Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps Manatee Division and Patriot Guard Riders.

Chronicle reporter Amanda Mims can be reached at (352) 564-2925 or amims@chronicleonline.com.