SEMINOLE, Fla. — Following a prayer and the firing of two rifles, veterans and friends stood with their hands over their hearts as honor guard member and auxiliary chaplain Diane Mullaney performed Taps outside the VFW Post 9272 in Seminole on Veteran’s Day.

“He served in World War I in Germany and France, so I do this in honor of him,” said Mullaney, referring to her grandfather.

“Veterans Day is every day, not just one day a year. We should celebrate, honor, be grateful and appreciate our freedoms and liberties,” Mullaney added.

This service and celebration had a slightly different look and feel due to extensive damage from back-to-back hurricanes, according to VFW Post Junior Vice Commander Vincent Pupo, who served in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.

“You see some of the old faces every day, and we’re always looking for new faces because of the storm and how terrible it was to the other posts and to the other legions,” said Pupo.

“Many of them come here to our post to celebrate with us. Today is an ongoing effort,” Pupo said. “It’s not just one day, but it is a special day when we look back and we celebrate all veterans, those who have served in war and peacetime, and those veterans that will be coming up in the future to bring them into our fold.”

The VFW received dozens of symbols coupled with patriotism from some of our youngest citizens at Seminole Elementary. The majority of the handmade cards said, ‘Thank you for your service.’

Members planned the day to fellowship, enjoy great food and learn more about the American Legion, the VFW and other agencies that take care of veterans throughout the year.

“It’s a good spot to come to and be with fellow veterans, but there are many programs that we do here through the VFW that helps the community, the schools and disabled veterans,” Pupo said. “We do all those things and we do it together as a team.”

Taking care of veterans is something these members take seriously, according to VFW member Robert A. Miller, who also served in Vietnam. For the past 15 years, Miller has been in charge of the VFW’s hospitality program for Bay Pines V.A. hospital patients.

“We take patients out and we take them to ball games. We take them to movies, fishing, dinner theaters, ax bowling, golf, whatever they want to do, we are there for them,” Miller said.

“The patients need the break. These trips give them one day off of their mind in the hospital and that’s worth it to us,” Miller said.