Flagler County honors its veterans with social media tribute

Individual recognition for the 18 participating veterans are posted to the county’s Facebook page.


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  • | 2:30 p.m. November 11, 2020
Stock photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels
Stock photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels
  • Palm Coast Observer
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Flagler County officials will honor the veterans within the organization with a social media tribute on Wednesday – Veterans Day – in gratitude for their service to the United States, and continued dedication to the county.

“It is our sincere hope that everyone will take a moment to reflect on the service of our veterans, and what that means to us as Americans,” said Veterans Services Officer David Lydon. “Servicemen and servicewomen protect our freedoms every day of the year so that we can continue to enjoy the benefits of living in the USA, and we should celebrate that.”

Individual recognition for the 18 participating veterans within the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners will be posted to the county’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment – alphabetically in 15 minute increments so that all are posted by 11 a.m.

Flagler County offices are closed on Veterans Day, and will reopen Thursday, Nov. 12.

 

Listed below are the veterans who chose to participate in the tribute:

 

Danny Bowman

Airport Operations

United States Coast Guard

Chief Boatswain Mate

21.5 years

 

Alex Daugherty

Firefighter Paramedic

United States Navy

4 years (2011-2015)

 

Robert S. Detherow

Land Management Specialist

United States Marine Corps

Staff Sergeant

16 years (1986-2002)

Honors: Navy Achievement Medal, COMBAT Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two stars, Sea Service Deployment with three stars, Good Conduct Medal with one star, Reserve Good Conduct with two Stars, Liberation of Kuwait Medal Kuwait, Liberation of Kuwait Medal Saudi Arabia, National Defense Medal

*Two of my sons – Riley and Hunter Detherow – who are Matanzas graduates are currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.

 

Christopher Ellis

Fire Rescue Squad Leader

United States Army

Sergeant

17 years total – Active Duty 13 years, and currently serving in the Reserves

Honors: Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, three Army Accommodation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, Outstanding volunteer Award, 36 Months Deployed

 

Charles F. Ericksen Jr.

County Commissioner

U.S. Army

First Lieutenant

6 years (2 Active, and 4 Ready Reserve)

Honors: U.S. Army Commendation Medal, and Distinguished Military Graduate – University of Connecticut

 

Eric Flores Febles

Veterans Service Officer Assistant

U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Navy

Petty Officer First Class (Air Warfare)            

23 years – U.S. Army Reserve (1984-1987), and U.S. NAVY (Active, 1987-2007)

Honors: Navy Achievement Medals (six awards), Good Conduct Medals (6 awards), Navy Battle “E” Ribbon (two awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons (seven awards), Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon, Pistol Expert Ribbon, Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, NATO Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Sea Deployment Ribbon (two awards)

 

Greg Hansen

County Commissioner

United States Navy

Captain

27 Years

Honors: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two silver stars, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with bronze star, Combat Action Ribbon

 

Brian Houghton

IT Support Specialist I

United States Army

3.5 years

 

Nealon Joseph

Emergency Management Planner

United States Air Force

Staff Sergeant

10 years (2004-2014)

Honors: Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal and NATO ISAF Medal

 

David P. Lydon Jr.

Veterans Services Officer

United States Air Force

Lieutenant Colonel

35 years+ (still in service)

Honors: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Afghanistan Campaign Medal

 

James Melady

Firefighter Paramedic

United States Navy

10 years (2006-2016)

 

Jonathan Andrew Nemergut

Library Assistant III, Branch Manager of the Bunnell Branch Library

United States Army

Sergeant

6 Years (2001-2007)

Honors: Purple Heart, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal

 

Devrie Paradowski

Housing Program Coordinator

United States Navy

Petty Officer Second Class

7 years (1999-2006)

Honors: Letter of Commendation (2004 and 2006)

 

Roy Sieger

Airport Director

United States Marine Corps

Gunnery Sergeant

20 years (1984-2004)

 

Jesse Sintscha

Firefighter Paramedic

United States Navy

4 years (1998-2002)

 

David C. Sullivan

County Commissioner

United States Navy

Captain 

Retired after 28 years of active service

Honors: Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal

 

Steven “Todd” Whaley

FireFlight Pilot

United States Navy

5 years (1992-1997)

 

Samantha Whitfield

Risk Manager

United States Air Force

Master Sergeant

20 years

Honors: Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Longevity Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

 

 

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