VERO BEACH — Vero Beach area residents are invited to celebrate our nation’s independence early this year at the Red, White and Blue ‘A Star Spangled’ Salute on Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Indian River Mall in the Macy’s concourse.
In collaboration with the Navy Seal Museum and Veterans Council’s Victory Center, this free community event will give families the opportunity to thank the local men and women of the armed forces.
During the event, guests will enjoy live entertainment and refreshments, see soldiers’ equipment that was used in past wars provided by the Navy Seal Museum, a patriotic fashion show presented by Talbot’s, special discounts for Veterans, and a kids’ craft corner.
Additionally, Dr. James and Helen Shafer will dedicate a painting by artist Josh T. Herman titled “Lt Murphy and His Platoon” to the Navy Seal Museum located in Fort Pierce. The painting will be displayed in the Victory Center at the Indian River Mall.
“It is our hope that by placing the painting on public display, our community will get a further understanding and appreciation for the great freedoms we all enjoy every day because of the dedication and sacrifice the men and women of our armed forces give every day,” said Dr. Shafer.
For more information regarding this patriotic event, please contact Ursula Gunter, Director of Marketing, at UGunter@Simon.com or visit Facebook.com/IndianRiverMall.
About the artist:
Josh T. Herman was born in Williamsburg, VA in 1960. Inspired by his mentor, Charles W. Reeder, a retired LCdr. with 30 years of service, he joined the Navy while still in high school and entered the Nuclear Power Program.
Josh was accepted into an officer accession program entitled BOOST. Upon completion of BOOST, he received a NROTC scholarship to Villanova University where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
He was commissioned in May 1984 and received orders to BUD/s. After completing BUD/s, he served at SEAL Team 4 as an Assistant Platoon Commander, Ordinance Officer, and Platoon Commander.
He then served as the Special Warfare Projects Officer at the Navy’s Experimental Diving Unit.
As a young man, Josh loved to draw. With a busy life, he did not pursue this until 2009. His artwork was noticed by Michael Del Priore, a nationally recognized portrait artist, who encouraged him to begin oil painting.
Studying with Mr. Del Priore for the past 15 months, he was inspired to paint “Lt. Murphy and His Platoon” to honor Lt. Michael P. Murphy and all the men who made the ultimate sacrifice during operation Redwings.
