Veterans Day Ceremony  
At The New
Pembroke Pines Memorial Park


 

Pembroke Pines, FL…November 14, 2017... The Annual City of Pembroke Pines Veterans Day Ceremony honoring United States Military Veterans took place at the new Pembroke Pines Memorial Park, located at 601 City Center Way on November 11, 2017.
 
Guests arrived to the sounds of beautiful patriotic music played by the Middle School Band from Pembroke Pines Charter West Campus.  Following a welcome by Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis and the invocation by Pastor Peter Tokar. The Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Katie Harmon a Pembroke Pines resident sang the National Anthem and officials were introduced. The guest speaker, Sergeant Major Kenneth R. Juede, Jr. who retired after serving 29 years in the United States Army, spoke to guests about his military service, the transition home and his difficulty finding employment.   
 
During his time in the United States Army, the Sergeant Major reached the highest levels of military service while serving his country during a difficult time of war and conflict. As a seasoned Military Policeman, he served multiple combat tours with combat assignments and deployment to Afghanistan.  His final active duty assignment as an Associate Professor at Fort Bliss, Texas had him responsible for educating future senior enlisted leaders at the U.S Army’s Sergeants Major Academy.  Sergeant Major Juede’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Combat Action Badge.  SGM also received the Military Police Regiments, Marechaussee Award. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Management.  He continued his education by earning two master degrees, one a Master’s Degree in Leadership Studies from the University of El Paso, Texas, and the second a Master’s of Arts in Higher Education from the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
 
“Guests were surprised to learn that following a distinguished career and Honorable Discharge Sgt. Major Juede, Jr. was unemployed for several months,” said Francie Novo, Special Events Coordinator for Pembroke Pines. “The Irony is when he found employment it was as the Director of Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program.  Sgt. Major Juede, Jr. is now the Director of Mission United of the United Way of Broward County.”
 
Following the program, Veterans and guests enjoyed a complimentary lunch. View the 2017 Veterans Day Ceremony in its entirety: https://youtu.be/5eGhnl9GWVU.  For information about the Veterans Ceremony, please contact Francie Novo, City of Pembroke Pines Special Events Coordinator at 954-392-2116 or visit www.ppines.com .  

To purchase a commemorative brick honoring United States Military Veterans and loved ones, installed at the base of the Pembroke Pines Veterans Memorial please call 954-392-2116.  Bricks sizes: 4” x 8” brick offers three lines and a total of 20 characters per line for $50.00 or an 8” x 8” which offers six lines and a total of 20 characters per line for $95.00. A memento duplicate “minibrick” is included in the fee. 
 
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Media Only:
Valerie L. Moran, Publicist Pembroke Pines Media
C: 954.392.9494 / E: VLMoran@ppines.com