It was a great day for the Bradenton MOAA Chapter. For lunch at the Peridia Golf and Country Club the Bradenton MOAA Chapter were privileged to hear from Lee Washington, Manatee County Director of Special Projects and Carlos de Quesada Business Manager for Valor Commons, a Landmark of Honor and Opportunity on Buckeye Road in Parrish, Florida. The presentation was focused on the Valor Commons development timeline, how the spirit of service shapes the promise of tomorrow, and the expectation of how Valor Commons will be designed to honor and built to serve those who committed to respond to the call to duty or who served as a First Responder. The pictures showed the Bradenton Chapter being updated on the development and construction plan while learning about the need to raise funds for this project.

Following a great exchange of ideas at the luncheon, the Bradenton Chapter members transitioned to Palmetto, Florida at Dogs, Inc where RADM Richard Buchanan presented a ceremonial check for $6,000 to Amber Watt, Associate Director of Philanthropy at Dogs Inc. This money will fund the First Veteran Guide Dog Scholarship at Dogs Inc. Present at the presentation ceremony were JROTC Cadets from the Parrish Community High School Bulls Battalion led by LTC Bel Wilson, USA (Retired). Sean Brown, Director of Mission Awareness of Dogs Inc., educated the cadets about his military experience and what his Dogs Inc. Service Dogs have done to stabilize his life. Eunice “Niche” Patxot, Vice President of the MOAA Florida Council of Chapters expressed appreciation for the relationship between MOAA, Parrish Community High School JROTC, and Dogs Inc. by presenting MOAA Challenge Coins to Amber Watt and LTC Bell Wilson. Lee Washington introduced the gathered Cadets and MOAA members to the Valor Commons project planning process. 

The celebration honors Valor Commons for its recognition of community service during and following military service. It also demonstrates that MOAA who believes in the mantra “Never Stop Serving” is alive and well in Manatee County through Valor Commons and Dogs Inc.

Click HERE for photos on our photo page.