Local veterans were honored and celebrated last Saturday afternoon at the Army Cpl. Dale J. Kridlo Veteran and Family Picnic, held at the Indian River County Fairgrounds.
The red, white and blue affair was hosted by a number of Indian River County veteran groups, including the Veterans Council, Next Generation Veterans, American Gold Star Mothers, Vero Beach Veterans, VFW Post 10210, and American Legion posts 39, 181 and 189.
This is the fourth year the council has hosted a picnic to honor veterans and their families, said Jim Romanek, Veterans Council executive director, noting that the picnic had been canceled in 2021 due to COVID.
After an anonymous donation was made in honor of Army Cpl. Dale J. Kridlo, who was killed in action in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 7, 2010, during Operation Enduring Freedom, the council renamed the annual picnic in his memory.
“In talking with the family we thought, what better way to honor Dale than to name the picnic after him. It’s another way of not ever forgetting his name,” said Romanek.
“I am so grateful that the picnic was named in honor of Dale,” said Kridlo’s mother, Michelle Dale, who said she was moved to have her “baby boy” honored in that way. Dale serves as president of the American Gold Star Mothers of Indian River County, whose mission is to keep the memory of their sons and daughters alive.
“We have our veterans coming to enjoy the day so that we can thank them for their service, at the same time they’re honoring my son. It’s overwhelming. He would love something like this. That’s the kind of kid he was,” said Dale. Referencing the music and dancing, she added with fond remembrance, “He loved to dance.”
Further offerings were added to the festivities this year to keep the children and grandchildren of veterans entertained, such as a LaPorte Farms petting zoo, games, cupcake decorating, face painting and a slide.
The committee opted to move the well-attended event to the fairgrounds to be able to house a large crowd in case of inclement weather – a wise decision given the day’s rain and wind.
After a moving opening ceremony, folks enjoyed good food, good company and wholesome family fun, with several World War II veterans regaling the younger set with battlefield tales.
The memory that still stands out in the mind of 97-year-old Army medic Bill Keegan was the time he spent in the Louisiana swamps while stationed at Camp Polk. Not, he said, a place for the faint of heart.
“We want to give back to our veterans. The picnic is another way of supporting veterans and their families here in the community,” said Romanek.
Representatives from Wreaths Across America, Dogs for Life, the Mental Health Association, Military Officers Association of America, Readjustment Council Services, Gold Star Mothers, Vero Beach Veterans Still Serving, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Wounded Waters provided information about programs, services and volunteer opportunities available to them.
“It’s a good way of introducing veterans to the different organizations. We captured the veterans’ information and were able to share information about how the Veterans Council can help them. We have a lot of good programs that more veterans need to take advantage of,” he added.
For more information, visit veterans circ.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
