66.3 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Blackston Financial offers sizable support for Villages Honor Flight

Travis Bender, David Blackston, and Drew Blackston of Blackston Financial & Advisory Group presented Honor Flight's Jerry Lemerise, third from left, with a check for $4,000.
Travis Bender, David Blackston, and Drew Blackston of Blackston Financial & Advisory Group presented Honor Flight’s Jerry Lemerise, second from left, with a check for $4,000.

Several hundred party-goers enjoyed a patriotic dinner and dance Friday evening at American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake to benefit Villages Honor Flight.

The evening was sponsored by David Blackston of Blackston Financial Advisory Group. In addition to the festivities, David Blackston and his associates, Drew Blackston and Travis Bender, handed over a check for a $4,000 donation to Jerry Lemerise of Honor Flight. Blackston also donated a luxury six-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, for a $20-per-chance limited scope raffle –to bring in an additional $5,000.

“My father was in the Army and my father-in-law was a Navy veteran — both serving in World War II,” David Blackston said. “So I have a soft spot in my heart for military veterans. Two years ago, Jerry Lemerise approached me for a small donation for Honor Flight, and I said I wouldn’t do it — instead, I wanted to sponsor the whole thing. I’m not sure how much money ticket sales will bring in tonight, but we are making a $4,000 cash donation, and donating the cruise to be raffled.”

Lemerise, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps, and received two Purple Hearts, has served as an Honor Flight guardian three times, escorting World War II veterans to Washington D.C.

“It is an awesome experience, and I encourage everyone who is able to do it to volunteer to honor these veterans,” he said.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Trump is unfit for any office

A Village of Osceola Hills resident, in a Letter to the Editor, details why he thinks former President Trump is unfit to hold any office.

I don’t think the original Developer saw this coming

A resident of the Village of St. Charles offers his thoughts on deed compliance and the original Developer of The Villages.