(VERO BEACH, FL) The Veterans Council of Indian River County (VCIRC) in collaboration with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) invites the community to attend a Veterans Day Ceremony & WWII Tribute Dedication on Monday, November 11th, 2024 at 9:00 am on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach’s Riverside Park. This event is free to the public.
The VCIRC and MOAA is honored to have Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker, MD, PhD, United States Army (Ret), as this year’s keynote speaker. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Eric B. Schoomaker is a former U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command. An accomplished hematologist, he has held key roles in military medicine, including Commanding General at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and North Atlantic Regional Medical Command. Schoomaker assumed the post of Surgeon General on December 11, 2007, where he focused on advancing healthcare services and medical readiness for service members.
A Detroit native from a military family, Schoomaker earned his Bachelor of Science and medical degree from the University of Michigan, later completing a PhD in Human Genetics. His post-graduate training includes residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology at Duke University. Schoomaker’s military education and service spanned numerous roles globally, significantly influencing Army medical practices and education until his retirement in 2011.
“As we gather to honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans on this special Veterans Day, it is a profound privilege to dedicate the new tribute to the courageous men and women of World War II” said Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Veterans Council. “Their legacy of bravery, resilience, and dedication continues to inspire and remind us of the cost of our freedoms. This ceremony is a testament to their heroism and a reminder of our community’s ongoing commitment to honoring all who have served.”
The ceremony will start promptly at 9:00 am and special guests will include WWII veterans of Indian River County. Ample parking is available at Riverside Park. Please remember to bring your lawn chair to enjoy this ceremony.
The Veterans Council of Indian River County is the lead agency for providing programs and direct aid to veterans and their families in Indian River County. The mission of Veterans Council of Indian River County is to support all Indian River County veterans and their families while raising awareness of veteran’s needs and their contributions to society.
For more information about the Veterans Council of Indian River County, visit http://helpIRCvets.org or call (772) 410-5820.
