June 30, 2014 Tampa GVSA Ceremony

Gov. Scott Honors 200 Veterans with Governor’s Veterans Service Award

 June 30, 2014

Tampa – Governor Rick Scott today, joined by Florida National Guard Leader Colonel Perry Hagaman, and Alene Tarter, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Benefits and Assistance awarded 200 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their service to Florida and the nation.

Governor Scott said, “It is an honor to kick off our Florida Veterans Service Award tour by presenting 200 Tampa veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award. Our veterans have selflessly fought to defend our freedoms, and it is our responsibility to take every opportunity to thank them for their sacrifice and service to our nation.”

Alene Tarter, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Director of Benefits and Assistance, said, “It was exciting to work with the Legionnaires today who hosted this event so that we could honor the more than 200 veterans in the local community. They did a great job along with the many outreach organizations that came to help assist veterans.”

The ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 111 in Tampa. During the ceremony, Governor Scott highlighted the service of two Florida veterans and brothers, Martin “Marty” Mount and Arnold “Arnie” Mount.

Martin “Marty” Mount Martin “Marty” Mount is an Army veteran who saw multiple combat tours in Vietnam. While in Germany, Marty distinguished himself by stopping a foreign agent covertly trying to enter his base. After his service in the military, Marty secured employment with GTE, and later with Verizon.  He used the skills acquired in the Army to provide communications services to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area for 32 years. Arnold “Arnie” Mount Arnold “Arnie” Mount is a 25-year Navy veteran who was stationed in Okinawa and served in Vietnam in 1970. After becoming a Radioman Chief Petty Officer, Arnie was commissioned under the Limited Duty Officer program in 1981. He retired as a “Lieutenant Commander”, and attended law school in Orlando, Florida. He then taught Criminal Justice and Criminal Investigations at Everest University in Orange Park where he was selected as Teacher of the Year for Everest University Orange Park in 2010 by Corinthian Colleges.

Florida Veterans Medal

The “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” honors Floridians who have served in the U.S. Military. The front of the medal depicts the Great Seal of the State of Florida. The back of the medal displays the five seals representing the five branches of U.S. Military with an inscription that reads “Honoring Those Who Served.”

 

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