Rosedale community raises $42,000 to aid wounded warrior get a home of his own
Rosedale Golf raises $42,000 for Homes for Our Troops
EAST MANATEE -- Residents of Rosedale Golf and Country Club raised more than $42,000 for Homes for Our Troops with their annual golf tournament and inaugural Military Appreciation Bash.
The beneficiary of the money this year is U.S. Army Capt. Robert Withers of Winter Garden. Withers was wounded on his third deployment to Afghanistan when he stepped on an anti-personnel mine, losing the bottom of his right leg, and the back of his left leg.
Four years ago, Rosedale volunteers signed on with Homes for Our Troops, which builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely wounded veterans of the post-9/11 era.
Five veterans who have either received their homes from Homes For Our Troops or are in the process attended the fundraiser and three of them played golf at Rosedale.
"It was amazing to watch them with their disabilities, swing the club -- they were not to be deterred," said Rosedale resident Deb Kehoe.
Traveling World War II exhibit salutes Red Tail Squadron
MANATEE -- The Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron, America's tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, is bringing its Rise Above Traveling Exhibit mobile theater and World War II P-51C Mustang aircraft to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport March 2-6.
This is a unique way to experience the inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen -- America's first black military pilots and their support personnel. The only flying B-29, FiFi, will also be there along with many other CAF aircraft, including a P-51D Mustang, C-45, T-6, Boeing Stearman and a T-34.
The Rise Above traveling exhibit is a fully functional movie theater featuring the original short film "Rise Above," designed to take the audience on a journey through time - and then through the air. The theater's dynamic 160-degree panoramic screen creates the sensation of being in the cockpit soaring above the clouds in the P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII. Experience the theater then see this majestic vintage fighter up close and personal on static display. It's much more than a history lesson; the Tuskegee Airmen's ability to triumph over adversity serves as a means to inspire others to rise above obstacles in their own lives and achieve their goals.
The AirPower History Tour will be held at the Rectrix Aerodrome Center at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, 8250 15th Street E in Sarasota. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 10 through 17, and children under 10 are free. Entrance to the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit is free with admission. Learn more at airpowersquadron.org.
-- Herald staff reports
This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Rosedale community raises $42,000 to aid wounded warrior get a home of his own ."