Veterans share lessons learned from their time in service

Veterans Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who have served our country through military service. It is a time for parades and ceremonies, as well as reflection and gratitude for the sacrifice veterans have made to protect our freedoms.

The Watermark at Trinity, an assisted living and memory care community in Pasco County, will honor residents this Veterans Day with a pinning ceremony on November 12 at 10:30 a.m. at 1960 Blue Fox Way in Trinity. The ceremony will be hosted by Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care with speakers to include Executive Director of The Watermark at Trinity, David Schupack. The public is welcome to attend this free event.

“Our residents are a part of our nation’s greatest generation and are so deserving of our gratitude – not just on Veterans Day, but every day of the year,” said Schupack. “It’s our privilege to honor them with a small token of our appreciation.”

The community has a large veteran community and honors them throughout the year on its Veterans Wall. The wall features photos of veteran residents, their branch of military service and years served, well as a commemorative plaque dedicating the wall to the community’s founding residents.

As part of the community’s Veterans Day celebration, they also collected stories from residents about their time in service, including lessons learned from their many years in military service.

• Otto Tater, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1939 to 1945, learned one thing that was very important in his lifetime – discipline, and how to take a command and follow through.
• Robert Nist, who served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, said the most important lesson he learned while in the service was you must pay attention to your superiors.
• Mike Young, who served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946, said he learned that “we’re all in the same boat – the boat of life – and we should extend a hand to our neighbor in time of need.”

Sharing the stories of residents is one of the many ways that The Watermark at Trinity engages individuals’ body, mind and spirit. Educational classes are also available through Watermark University, while Extraordinary Outings give residents a chance to explore the world around them. To access the full video, click on the links above.