FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Contact:  Booch Demarchi, Lee County Public Resources
                (239) 335-2481 (media inquiries only)

 

LEE VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE FULL LINE-UP OF EVENTS

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 5, 2003) - Lee County Government is joining forces again with other public-sector and private organizations to produce the countywide Fifth Annual Veterans Day Celebration, "They Answered The Call."  The celebration will be Monday, Nov. 10 and Tuesday, Nov. 11 in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.  The events scheduled on both sides of the Caloosahatchee River are:

 

November 11, 2003

Cape Coral

Fort Myers

November 10, 2003

Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade: 

MSG E-G James  J.  Shippey

United States Army  ( retired )

 

Military Career: 25 ˝ years active duty from 1951-1976. Took basic training at Ft Dix, NJ. 1951-52 saw action in the Korean War with the 10 Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. 1953-1960 joined the Detroit Missile Command in Detroit, MI.  1960-1962 was stationed at the US Army Alaska Missile Command at Anchorage, Alaska. From Alaska, was assigned to  the 1st  Infantry, US Army 25th infantry Division, Hawaii as a Recon Platoon Sergeant. 1964-1965 spent first tour in Coochiee, Vietnam.  1966-1967 went back to Quinon, Vietnam with the 117th   Aviation, 52nd  Aviation Battalion as a Door Gunner and was shot down and an MIA for 30 days. From 1968-1970 was assigned to Company E 4th of the 47th  Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and went back to Dong Tam, Vietnam. Became a POW at this time for 3 years at a place called the Plantation in North Vietnam. From 1971 - 1976 became a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Dix, NJ until discharged from the Army in  1976.

 

Military Awards: 3 Silver Stars-1 for Valor; 1 Distinguished Flying Cross;              3 Bronze Stars-1 for Valor; 5 Purple Hearts; 14 Air Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals; 1 POW Medal; 2 National Defense Medals; 6 Good Conduct Medals;          2 Expeditionary Medals; 1 Korea Service Medal; 1 Vietnam Service Medal;              1 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; 1 C.LB.; 1 Air Wings and 1 Helicopter Wings.

 

Military, Affiliation: Retired Enlisted Association; Vietnam Veterans Chapter 594; Rolling Thunder Chapter #2 of Florida;  82nd  Airborne Gulf Coast Chapter;  Disabled American Veterans Chapter 75; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10127 and American Legion Post 274.

 

Education: High school diploma Saratoga Springs, NY; Airborne Academy, Ft. Benning, GA; Gunner School, Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii; Drill Sergeant Academy, Ft. Dix, NY; and Supply & Logistics, Ft. Meade, MD.

Retired Civilian Years: 1976-1980 worked at the State University of Albany, NY; 1980-1984 Saratoga Hospital Linen Services; 1984-1988 worked for Giant Furniture, Ft. Myers, FL; 1989 - Present - State of Florida Commercial Driver License Tester and Trainer for the School District of Lee County. Also a school bus driver for exceptional students.

Personal: Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, NY. Married to Diana Shippey (formerly Diana Parker of Elwood, IN.) One son John from a previous marriage and  2 grandsons Joshua 16 and Jeremy 13 who reside in Saratoga Springs, NY.

 

Master of Ceremonies of the Veterans Day Parade: 

Dave Roberts

Chief Meteorologist, FOX4 News at 10

 

Dave Roberts is the Chief Meteorologist for Fox4 News at 10. Dave is the most certified Chief Meteorologist on TV in Southwest Florida, holding both seals of certification from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. He has been forecasting the weather in Southwest Florida since 1998.

 

Dave's prior experience includes forecasting the weather on TV and radio in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jackson, Mississippi, Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama and Kirksville, Missouri. Dave is a graduate of Syracuse University and Mississippi State University, answering the ultimate question "do orangemen and bulldogs mix?"

 

Dave loves living and working in the SWFL tropical paradise and is a big fan of heat and humidity. In his spare time, outside of conducting hurricane seminars, you'll find him conducting what he calls "atmospheric research", spending time near the water and enjoying the outdoors.

 

Dave Roberts is an active person in the Southwest Florida Community, dontating time to local charities and hurricane education seminars to various groups.  The honeymood period for living in Southwest Florida hasn't worn off for him, as he loves and appreciates the people and weather more than ever.  He has always wanted to live in Florida, and he actually admits to liking hot and humid weather, of course, as long as he is close to the beaches or pool.  Dave also has great pride for this country and considers himself to be very patriotic.

 

Master of Ceremonies of the U.S.O. Dance: 

Judd  Cribbs

WINK-TV Feature Reporter

 

Judd Cribbs is the Feature Reporter for WINK-TV evening news. You can watch him weeknights on "WINK News @ 5."  Judd's been at WINK-TV for five years, covering human interest stories and any other offbeat events. He has been lucky enough over the years to interview some famous people such as George Burns, Milton Berle, Jimmy Buffett and at least two Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He won a regional Emmy Award in 1994 for a story where he rode around on a public bus all day.

 

Judd began his television career as a writer at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati.   Prior to becoming a Feature Reporter at WINK he worked at Fox and NBC affiliates.  After working in Cincinnati as a writer and reporter for 13 years, in 1998, he moved to southwest Florida…. a place he always wanted to call home.  Judd, who grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1984 and earned his Master's degree from Miami University in 1985.

 

When he's not doing feature reports, Judd enjoys gardening, model railroading and playing the piano. He also enjoys "sitting on the couch and staring into space."  Additionally, he is an animal lover and is currently owned by two cats, a dog and a bird. They are nice enough to let him live in their house.

 

For more information on the celebrations and to view maps visit:

 http://lee-county.com/Veterans/veteransday2003.htm.  The sponsoring organizations are Lee County Government, the Lee County School District, the cities and police departments of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, United Veterans of Lee County, Veterans Midpoint Memorial Charitable Trust, Inc., Lee County Sheriff's Office, YMCA of Lee County, and the citizens of Lee County.