93-year-old WWII Veteran Plays God Bless America on Harmonica
Event benefiting Old McMicky’s Farm Foundation supporting local kids and families, military, teachers and Tampa Bay area community initiatives
Odessa, FL (April 17, 2019) – On Saturday, April 13 Old McMicky’s Farm and attendees showed their love and appreciation to 20 Purple Heart Medal recipients who were invited as special guests to Barns and Beer Craft Beer Festival. Included among the honorees was Ray Chambers, 93-year-old World War II veteran. At the conclusion of the Purple Heart Ceremony Ray took out his harmonica and played God Bless America for the crowd.
It was nothing short of amazing. To watch the video please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9UER2XxK7M&feature=youtu.be
Ray was on the USS Talledega when he was part of the landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima during WWII. Ray is the only living member of the USS Talledega that landed on Iwo Jima.
Also attending were two Gold Star fathers, Dean Coleman and Scott Bill, pictured arm in arm. Dean’s son Justin Coleman, Specialist US Army and Scott’s son Brian Bill, Navy Seal Special Operations Warrior gave their lives in service to their country.
Also in attendance, Colonel Cary Harbaugh, Purple Heart recipient, Director of Warrior Care Program Special Operations Command and the Director of Warrior Games 2019 coming to Tampa June 21-30. Col. Harbaugh addressed the crowd and encouraged everyone to come out and watch the Warrior Games as spectators to show support for all the participants. Picture attached.
About Barns and Beer Craft Beer Festival
For the 5th consecutive year, the Farm has gathered the best local beer making geniuses for your sampling pleasure. Come out and relax while enjoying the beautiful, classic farm setting complete with a big red barn set on a picturesque 40-acre lake. Enjoy over 100 of the best craft beers, wine and cider with awesome entertainment. Enjoy great food and friends. Have fun playing unique farm games, ride a mechanical bull, crown yourself Barns and Beer Queen and snap photos throughout our specially decorated farm. Do something new, different, and fun while supporting a great cause!
Add to your enjoyment by knowing you are supporting Old McMicky’s Farm (Camp Keystone) – a 73-year tradition dedicated to serving kids and families in our Tampa Bay community. Proceeds from Barns & Beer go to support the Old McMicky’s Farm Foundation, a registered 501c(3).
About Old McMicky’s Farm: Old McMicky’s Farm, located on the Historic grounds of Camp Keystone (Established in 1946), is part of a cherished 73 year-old Tampa Bay tradition. The Children’s Educational Farm is dedicated to providing fun, educational and hands-on guided tours to groups and the general public, plus kids’ birthday parties. This unique farm is nestled on a beautiful 40-acre lake and is both rustic and elegant. The Farm also hosts private events such as Barn Weddings, Company Picnics, Corporate Events, Charity Events, and Private Parties to support their educational programming and community giving. Everyone at the Farm is dedicated to continuing this wonderful tradition for kids and families in our Tampa Bay community.
OMF is dedicated to giving back to the community in many ways.
The Farm’s “1000 Kids” Program’s goal is to host 1,000 kids a year in the Tampa Bay area who are facing serious challenges for an awesome, educational and fun day at the Farm, at No Charge. The Farm has been honored to host over 5600 kids to date.
Title 1 & Renaissance Public School Program
In Hillsborough, Pasco & Pinellas counties the Title I and Renaissance Public School Program is designed to provide supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals. Its overall purpose is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and attain high academic standards.
Old McMicky’s Farm is committed to creating a fun, memorable and educational day for as many children at these schools as possible. To do this, we subsidize all Title I and Renaissance schools/students attendance at the Farm. To date, we are very glad to have hosted approximately 26,000 Title 1 and Renaissance Public School children.
Old McMicky’s Farm hosts numerous events to support foster and adoptive children. The Old McMicky’s Farm Foster Children Fun Day at the Farm invites all foster children and their care givers in the Tampa Bay area to an amazing day for the children and to show appreciation for their caregivers. Last year over 600 were in attendance with over 400 foster children for a great day at the farm. In addition, the Farm also hosts Child Adoption Match days for foster children. To date 15 children have been matched with families at the Farm’s Match Days.
Mission I Do – “Mission I Do” is a $25,000 All-Inclusive Dream Wedding Gift to an active duty military or Veterans in the Tampa Bay Area, sponsored by Old McMicky’s Farm and generous Bay Area Businesses. This gift is in appreciation for the sacrifice of the men and women who currently serve or who have served in our military and their families. Old McMicky’s Farm has awarded 9 Mission I Do weddings to-date.
Teachers ROCK – Teachers ROCK is a Free $20,000 Teacher Appreciation Dream Wedding Giveaway to raise awareness and appreciation for our local Tampa Bay area teachers. The 1st Teachers ROCK Wedding occurred in May 2018, during Teacher Appreciation Month. Teachers make such a huge difference in the lives of children and families in our Tampa Bay community, Old McMicky’s Farm wanted to show appreciation and help a teacher start a family of their own.
These are just some of the many Community Giving Programs at the Farm. More information about the farms community giving programs can be found at www.oldmcmickys.com/community-giving/. To learn more about Old McMicky’s Farm please visit www.OldMcMickys.com or call 813-920-1948. Follow us on FB at: www.facebook.com/OldMcMickysFarm.
Old McMicky’s Farm – Our Mission
To Continue the Tradition of Fun, Education and Creating Great Memories for Kids and Families in the Tampa Bay Area, and to Give Back to our Community.
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