Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance History

2005: Origination of the TBVA

 In 2005, a group of citizens from throughout Pinellas county gathered together to form a committee known as the CVAD with the vision of a day dedicated to the celebration of veterans and to providing information to the public for and about veterans. With funding from the city of Clearwater, the First Annual Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day was presented on November 12, 2005 at the Long Center on Belcher Road.

Speakers included Congressman Bill Young, Mayor Hibbard, Major Hall from the USMC 4th AA in Tampa and Reginald Roundtree from WTSP Channel 10.

Colors were presented by the Marine Corps League of Clearwater followed by a Line of March and a performance by the Clearwater High School JROTC Silent Drill Platoons. Music was provided by the Bayside Banjo Band and the 42nd Street Band.

There were various displays, activities for children and veterans service organizations providing information. About 500 people attended this inaugural event.

2006: The CVAD Grows

During 2006, the committee became a corporation, filed the necessary paperwork with the State of Florida and the County of Pinellas in order to raise funding. We also filed for recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization to enable tax-deductible donations.

The Second Annual Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day was again held at the Long Center and attendance grew to about 800 people. Command Sergeant Major Cynthia A. Pritchett from CENTCOM, MacDill AFB in Tampa was the guest speaker. Congressman Bill Young and Mayor Frank Hibbard spoke at the event again.

Music was provided by the Pinellas Wind Ensemble and Men’s Chorus. Colors were presented by the Marine Corps League of Clearwater, followed by a Line of March and a performance by the Clearwater High School JROTC Silent Drill Platoon. Again there were various displays, activities for children and veterans service organizations providing information.

2007: The Crowds Swell at the CVAD

The Clearwater Veterans Alliance (CVA)received IRS designation early in 2007. The venue for the CVAD moved to the Clearwater Senior High School and the Third Annual Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day welcomed almost 5000 attendees. On the south side of the school property, veterans service organizations, sponsor businesses and children’s activities were setup under tents.

Once again speakers included Congressman Bill Young and Mayor Frank Hibbard. Brigadier General David Garza USMC also spoke and the event was emceed by Tim Wilkins.

The CVA was thrilled to present the USSOCCOM Parachute Team and, for the first time in this area, the USMC Silent Drill Platoon. The Clearwater JROTC Silent Drill Platoon and the Dunedin Pipe Band also performed and the Line of March was bigger than ever.

2008: The Scope of the CVA Expands

In 2008, the CVAD officially became the Clearwater Veterans Alliance (CVA) in order to expand our efforts beyond the Appreciation Day itself and began looking for other ways in which to serve the veterans in the area. The annual Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day was held on November 1st in the Bright House Network Field.

The USMC Silent Drill Platoon and the USSOCOM Parachute Team returned to perform and thrill over 6500 people. Speakers included Bob Swick, President of the CVA, Mayor Frank Hibbard, Congressman Bill Young, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, RADM Leroy Collins, General Doug Brown and emcee John Wilson, news anchor on Fox 13 Tampa Bay.

Brigadier General Baczkowski officiated an induction ceremony for over 110 US Marine Corps and US Navy recruits.

The Line of March was the largest to date with members of all the Armed Services in attendance as well as local honor guards. The Last Patrol performed a moving simulation of a patrol in Vietnam called “back from duty when the Peace Agreement was announced”. Gold Star mothers and fathers presented a wreath in memory of their children. The Million Dollar Steppers from the Boys and Girls Club also performed.

The Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall and The Moving Tribute

For the first time in Clearwater and the first time in Pinellas county since 1991, the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall was presented from October 30th through November 3rd. The CVA also hosted the new Moving Tribute at the same location. The Moving Tribute lists all those lost in Iraq, Afghanistan, on 9/11 and the Gulf War. Over 200 motorcycles, the Clearwater Police Department and the Clearwater Fire Department escorted the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and the Moving Tribute from Tampa into Carpenter Fields.

Opening Ceremonies were held on the evening of October 30th with speakers Beverly Young, Mayor Hibbard, Georgie Carter-Krell (National President of the American Gold Star Mothers), Suzanne Weber (and Agent Orange widow), Rachel Barrett (mother of James Steward, KIA in Iraq) and Dianne Magee (Vice President of the CVA). Wreaths from various veterans support organizations were presented at the two memorials. The POW/MIA Table Ceremony was presented by the Tampa Chapter of the US Military Veterans Motorcycle Club.

During Closing Ceremonies on November 3rd, the Last Patrol performed a special ceremony at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. The Veterans Liaison Council Honor Guard retired the Colors and Taps was sounded by Pete Krystall of the Clearwater Marine Corps League.

2009: Clearwater Veterans Alliance Continues to Lead The Way

2009 was a transition year where CVA branched out in its service to the community from being Tampa Bay’s largest premier tribute Veterans to almost monthly activities throughout the Bay Area.
 
A main theme of most activities was the teaming with other civic and veteran organizations for the benefit of community, children and veterans.  In January CVA and MOAA (Military Officers Association of America – Clearwater Chapter) provided clothing to homeless veterans.  The combined donations were stretched significantly thanks to the deep discount provided by COSTCO Wholesale. CVA began a formal alliance with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and initiated a year-long program that installed flagpoles at their locations throughout Pinellas County.  This effort was wonderfully supported by A.D. Morgan Construction Company of Tampa and Moss Feaster Funeral Homes in Pinellas.  The former provided the installation of flagpoles and dedication plaque bases; the latter provided the bronze plaques for each location.
 
CVA initiated the first Flag Day Ceremony for the city of Clearwater.  Aided in this effort by the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Clearwater Gas, MOAA and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a flag flown over the Nation’s capital, provided by Congressman CW Bill Young, was raised with the help of local branches of Sea Cadets, Cub Scouts and Boys & Girls Clubs.  Over 300 citizens participated in this tribute that included an old fashion picnic at Sand Key County Park.
 
Newly established WalMart Neighborhood Grocery Stores donated to all of the above programs and stand ready to offer support wherever they can. 
 
CVA is actively represented on Clearwater Chamber’s Military & Veterans Advisory Committee, Congressman Bilirakis’ Veterans Advisory Board and the Pinellas County Veterans Liaison Council.  CVA representatives sit on the Advisory Board of Clearwater Downtown Partnership nonprofit organization and the Board of Directors for the Suncoast Boys & Girls Clubs.
 
CVA’s own Board of Advisors represent Community and Political leaders of both sides of Tampa Bay.  Through the combined efforts of the educational, business, civic and veterans communities, its annual tribute to Veterans, the Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day celebration has become the largest Veterans tribute in all of West Central Florida.

2010: The Future is Here!

So much has been accomplished in our first 5 years. The Officer and Member base – with the much needed assistance of our Advisors and Volunteers – assures an even brighter, more far reaching service to Veterans, Children and Community beginning this year.

The Clearwater Veterans Alliance is making some great changes this year. Our organization has grown in leaps and bounds and we realize our name is no longer truly reflective of who we are so we are changing to Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance effective January 2010. As the TBVA we will be able to reach a larger segment of our community as well as receive support from a larger segment of the community.

We are so proud that the CVA has been honored as the 2010 Small Not For Profit Business Of The Year Award‏ by the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. We thank the Chamber, its President Bob Clifford and ever-helpful Staff for all the support they continue to provide.

Heartfelt thanks goes to past and present Members for their insight, motivation and insight.  Equal feelings of gratitude go to our Community Sponsors, which have made these tributes possible.

Our Tampa Bay Veterans Appreciation Day celebration will be held on Saturday, November 6th at Coachman Park in Clearwater.