Florida Seminole Veterans Center Groundbreaking

By Susan Etxebarria

BRIGHTON — In the spirit of true Seminole warriors, the veterans at Brighton never gave up. For several years they proposed, planned and pushed for a dream, and finally their dream has come true.

Due to their diligence and perseverance a new “star” is born. The star is that of the pentagon-shaped, 24,321 square foot Florida Seminole Veterans Center being constructed in Brighton. Site preparation began the first week in December.

On Nov. 15 a groundbreaking ceremony for this building took place. Those in attendance learned that this center will serve the needs of all Seminole Tribe veterans, as well as be used for community and official Tribal meetings.

In attendance were Tribal officials, architects, designers, contractors, builders, well-wishers and veterans and their families.

The Color Guard posted the colors, and Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs Liaison, and Color Guard member, Steven Bowers, officiated as emcee. The first thing Bowers did was recognize the Tribe’s veterans, those who have passed away and those with special honors. He also recognized Seminoles on active duty and the warriors who died fighting for freedom.

He then welcomed a special speaker to the podium, John Wayne Huff, president of the Brighton Seminole Veterans. Huff said the Brighton vets began discussing the need for a place they could meet as far back as 15 years ago.

“One day a friend said to me if you want anything to happen, first you have to get organized,” Huff said. “So we formed a group and would get together for breakfast. Then we picked a president, vice president and secretary. Then we started talking about getting a place of our own to meet, play cards, hold seminars…”

The next speaker, U.S. Army veteran, Stanlo Johns, continued the story.

“About two or three years ago we would meet once a month and we started measuring this ground to see how much fill dirt would be needed,” Johns said. “It was a pretty lengthy sum; five feet three inches.” [The building will actually occupy 9.3 acres on a 9.5 acre plot of ground, according to the Sr. Project Manager of Tribal Community Planning Jim Horton.]

Johns also told the audience the Brighton vets would meet and talk about a design. They submitted ideas and the pentagon shape is what they decided they wanted.

“We had a lot of opposition at first to the shape,” said Johns. “People would ask, ‘Why do you want the shape of a star?’ I knew we would have opposition but I would say, ‘This is not like an ordinary building, but we are not ordinary people.’ ”

He said the Brighton vets talked often to Tribal officials and to the community, but still seemed to be getting nowhere. Some of the vets got disgusted and gave up, however, Johns said, he and others just kept pushing.

“I told the vets to keep coming to the meetings and it will happen,” he said. “Now, I want to thank Roger Smith who got us put on the Tribal Council’s agenda when he was in office a couple years ago. Also, I want to thank Chairman Mitchell Cypress for pushing me to push these guys (Council).”

Brighton veteran Jack Smith spoke up next.

“This is going to also be used as a multi-purpose building for Tribal use,” Smith said of the center. “We will be able to hold council meetings here, a Christmas party; whatever we wish.”

Emcee Bowers said: “Everyone can come up with an idea but when it involves a building you really have to look around the Tribe for your support. Luckily we have a veteran on the Tribal Council. Our vets had a need for a building; a place where we can talk and maybe get some counseling.”

Bowers then introduced the Chairman Mitchell Cypress, himself a veteran.

“I think this is a unique building we are going to build here, better than the Pentagon in D.C.,” Chairman Cypress said. “This tells you that the Seminole Tribe is always behind our veterans. Veterans are the ones that keep us free.

“We are not going to be like the federal government. We’re not a one-way Tribe that sends you to war and forgets you when you come back from the wars. The vets are the most important people in this country, especially to us in the Seminole Tribe.

“This group of vets came to the Council and voiced their opinions and we listened. Sometimes you have to do that to get what you want. You have to get a group together. You can’t always get things done by yourself alone. This ‘star’ is born at Brighton and we will be the star because no other Tribe has a building like this one.”

Gregory Hall, the architect followed next.

“The ‘stars’ that are shining are the vets in attendance today,” said Hall. “This is truly an honor to work for the Tribe.”

Hall explained that the star shape represents each branch of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. He said outside the building, the vets will have a memorial or ceremonial courtyard with seven bronze sculptures flanking flagpoles, to observe and enjoy. The courtyard will feature flags, including an American flag, the state of Florida flag and the Seminole Tribe of Florida flag.

The Bronze by Cooley sculptures are of soldiers representing each branch of the service including a WAC and one of the warrior Osceola. The sculptors Brad Cooley Jr. and Brad Cooley Sr have a reputation as America’s leading artist team representing Native Americans in public places.

Hall said the center space inside the pentagon-shaped building will be able to seat 450 people in theatre-type seats with stage that can collapse and be pushed back against the wall for large gatherings. He said there will be a special room for exhibits and memorabilia of the Seminole veterans who have served our country; there also will be a kitchen in another wing.

The wing to the left will be the Veterans Hall. The wing to the right will house offices and a conference room. Another entertainment wing will have pool tables and card room and another will be a space for lectures and a classroom. The building can also be used as a hurricane shelter.

Next Donald E. Murphy, the contractor who will construct the building took the podium.

“I remember when my office picked up the plans; it was described not as a building as much as a monument,” he said. “I said ‘This is something! We really want to work on this project.’ ”

“I am a vet and my son is serving in Iraq,” Murphy added. “This building is very special to me.”

Murphy said he hopes to start site preparation in December, do the fill in February and March, lay foundations in April, be ready for inspection by August and do the stone work and the exterior by October.

“By April 2009 we want to complete the interior,” he said.

The final speaker was Carlos Rainwater, the state of Florida Veterans Program Director, who works with disabled veterans.

“Why do we need to recognize our veterans?” he asked rhetorically. “They are a very special group. To be accepted in the service you must be the brightest and the best.

“They have fought wars to preserve our freedom. Native peoples have a long tradition as warriors defending this country of ours. On behalf of all Native Americans who have served in the armed forces, I salute you!”

After the blessing by Dan Bowers, lunch was served by Renegade Barbeque, banana pudding served by Angel Baxley Garcia, pumpkin bread by Mary Jo Micco, frybread by Timi Bearden and sofkee by Jenny Johns.

Another speaker during the ceremonies was Seminole Princess Jennifer Chalfant. The children of Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang a patriotic song in Creek. Pastor Wonder Johns gave the invocation and the First Baptist Church Choir sang a Creek hymn. There were special video and slide presentations, coordinated by Noella O’Donnell, Jim Horton, Steven Bowers, Jodi Goodman and Jack Smith.