PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — One Bay area retirement community pays tribute to veterans every day.
But that’s not all. The County Place mobile home community in New Port Richey also finds ways to continue to support them.
George McBride runs the Veterans Memorial Park at the mobile home park.
The park, opened about 25 years ago, honors veterans of all wars. The park’s gazebo features plaques of veterans that have passed away that once lived in the park.
“Everyone up there (posted plaques) is someone lived in the park and passed,” McBride said. “And when you get over on this side, Roy Broski, Debby Malloy and Ron Potts. Three people who died in the last couple of years.”
McBride served in the US Air Force.
The veterans park also features flags representing all the branches of the military.
“The flags are set up in sequence from the date they were organized,” he said. “it’s the army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard and now we also have space force.”
During the year, the park is the site for Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, speakers appearances, picnics and more.
The group also performs food drives, and hosts fund raisers for vets.
There’s an annual food drive at the park in January, and another later in the year for homeless vets.
The group also assists with job placement and housing in conjunction with St. Vincent de Paul.
For McBride, it’s an honor to help those that served.
“You talk about everyday heroes,” he said. “To me the real heroes are the ones that didn’t come back.”
