SARASOTA – Three Suncoast veterans share stories of their time in the military to discuss their unique experiences.
“Well at the Herald-Tribune we like to say we celebrate veterans’ every day,” said Lee Williams.
Williams, Topics Editor for the Herald-Tribune, organized “War Stories: Three veterans, three unique perspectives of war” to discuss why it’s important to hear out veterans and their stories of war.
“We hear a lot of good stories, veterans’ have good stories, unfortunately [they] only tell them most of the time to other veterans,” said Williams. “So we’re putting good story tellers with members of the public and they’re emphasizing their charities.”
Staff Sergeant Justin Lansford served for 5 years in the army. He lost his left leg when 120 pounds of homemade explosives detonated under his gun truck. Lansford serves as a board member for two nonprofits on the Suncoast, Operation Patriots Support and Valor Service Dogs.
“To have three different vets there that have such a unique experience in the military kinda really was able to put together a big picture of what military life is like,” said Lansford.
U.S. Navy Reserve, Rear Adm. Brian McCarthy served for 30 years including in Vietnam to Operation Desert Storm. McCarthy is part of the United Way’s Mission United: Sarasota/Manatee helping veterans receive.
“I hope they get a greater appreciation for the sacrifice that many of our veterans make, freedom isn’t free it takes a tremendous commitment,” said McCarthy.
Bob Keller was a member of the army’s most elite special operations unit. Keller experience in war helps him aid veterans and first responders give back to their community through their training in the military with his charity the Gamut Initiative.
“I can be hiring these guys that are transitioning out and have nothing to do,” said Keller. “I can be sending them all over the country paying them to give law enforcement free training so it’s a two fold.”
All three veterans hope they can use their stories and experiences to provide the nearly 80,000 veterans on the Suncoast with adequate care and an easy transition into civilian life.
