Three veterans from Watersound Fountains, an independent living community in Inlet Beach, were honored as special guests at the Warrior Beach Retreat Salute at the Boardwalk Beach Convention Center in Panama City Beach on Feb. 26.
- Col. Joe Feliciano, U.S. Army retired; Lt. Col. Jerry Santens, U.S. Air Force retired; and Col. Frances “Frank” Sabo, U.S. Air Force retired, were recognized at the ceremony. All three served during the Vietnam War.
The recognition came through the efforts of the senior living community, which connected Warrior Beach Retreat with its veteran residents.
“I’ve been involved with Warrior Beach Retreat in the past but never had the opportunity to bring forth veterans to benefit from the organization,” said Paula Zeller, sales director at Watersound Fountains. “When I found out we had 16 veterans living in the community, I knew we had to make this connection.”
Warrior Beach Retreat is a nonprofit that provides combat-wounded veterans and their spouses or caregivers with weeklong beach retreats in Panama City Beach. The organization was founded by Linda and Phillip Cope along with their son, Jonathan Cope.
Twice a year, the organization hosts a parade and salute to honor veterans. This year’s event featured guest speaker Sgt. 1st Class John Wayne Walding, U.S. Army retired, who was introduced by retired Lt. Col. Allen West. Walding spoke about how far the country has come in caring for and honoring its veterans.
The speech struck an emotional chord with the Watersound Fountains residents being honored.
- “Our residents were in tears during the ceremony, particularly when John Wayne Walding talked about the reception they received coming home from Vietnam,” said Estella Bowers, regional operations specialist for Watermark Retirement Communities. “It was really special to be able to honor them and give them the recognition they deserve for serving our country.”
The tribute left a lasting impression on the residents. In a letter written to community leadership following the event, Santens expressed his gratitude.
“We were humbled to have been mentioned at the meet and greet, enjoyed riding in the Watersound Fountains bus with our name and rank signs along the parade route, then sitting down to the delicious dinner, and being saluted along with other honored Watersound Fountains guests during the speech and ceremony,” Santens wrote.
He added: “We will never forget the encouraging words of guest speaker John Wayne Walding, introduced by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West, a man we have greatly admired over the years. You have enriched our lives through your kind professionalism, and we agree that moving to Watersound Fountains was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”
The community plans to expand its involvement in future events, with the goal of honoring each of the 16 veterans living at Watersound Fountains.
For more information about Warrior Beach Retreat, visit here.
