Vets mark 50th Anniversary of end of Vietnam War with friendship, fishing

     American Legion Post 144 honored veterans of the Vietnam War on April 5 with a day of fishing, friendship and a picnic at Veterans Park in Miami Lakes.

     The gathering marked the 50th Anniversary of the end of the war in which more than 58,200 U.S. military members died.  

     “It is another way of saying to [the veterans] ‘Welcome Home,’” Post 144 Commander Gary Cardenas said. 

     The Fishing with America’s Finest organization was a commemorative sponsor and Neal Stark of that organization donated $300. 

     Post 144 member Ronald Green chaired the event committee for the American Legion and donated $2,000; he is also a member of Fishing with America’s Finest. American Legion Post 144 Vice Commander Fred Senra, partner at Miami Lakes AutoMall, donated $1,500 and the Miami Lakes Veterans Committee donated $500, all monies that went toward buying meals. 

     The picnic came from Sergio’s Go and Carrabbas Italian Grill.

      UPS, Chase Bank and Sherwin Williams gave supplies. 

      Gift cards for raffles were provided by Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings; Outback; Cancun Grill; Sports Grill Miami Lakes; FADE Barbershop Miami Lakes; HalfTime Barbershop and Classic Stylez Barbershops in Miami Lakes and Miramar. 

     The Graham Companies was also a sponsor.