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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day marks first American Legion Post 273 ceremony since reopening after hurricanes
The Brief The American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach hosted a Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony was its first official American Legion-type ceremony since they reopened in February after last year's hurricanes. Hurricane Helene flooded the post with three and a half feet of water. MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - It was standing room only at American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach on Memorial Day. "Today, we honor those who never came home, the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation," Post Commander Anthony Torregrossa said. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view Torregrossa said the ceremony was the post's first official American Legion-type ceremony since they reopened in February after last year's hurricanes. "The fact that we did open, and we were able to pick up steam before Memorial Day is very pleasing to me," he said. Hurricane Helene flooded the post with three and a half feet of water. They had to demo almost everything and start from scratch. READ: Bay Area fallen hero's legacy lives on in his hometown "I was genuinely pleased and surprised and delighted that we did have so many people show up today," Torregrossa said. "I think we had our largest crowd for a Memorial Day service, which is very important, because it's the one day of the year we actually get to solemnly dedicate it to the falling heroes a day that they deserve." Dig deeper Torregrossa explained to the crowd the significance of the POW MIA tables at all American Legion posts. "I call your attention to this small table which occupies a place of dignity and honor at the entry to the Post of 273. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our corps are missing from our ranks," he said. "The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they have waited for their return. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate the way home, away from their captors, in the open arms of a grateful nation. The inverted glass, they cannot toast with us at this time. The chair empty. They are not here, but they are not forgotten." "The American flag reminds us that many of them have never returned and have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom," Torregrossa said. MORE: St. Pete to resume late water bill fee collection. Here's what to know They honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with a 21-gun salute and a wreath laying in the Intracoastal. Bagpiper Sunsan Lindermann also played Taps and Amazing Grace. "It's a national holiday. People celebrate that, the opening to summer. Our goal is the American Legion. My goal as commander of this post is to understand there's a reason behind that. If you want to celebrate, that fine, but please take to heart why you are celebrating. You wouldn't be here probably if it wasn't for these fallen heroes that we are honoring today," Torregrossa said. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kailey Tracy. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach reopens after hurricanes
The Brief American Legion Post 273 reopened after being forced to close nearly five months ago because of storm damage from Hurricane Helene. The storms forced the American Legion to demo every aspect of its building, according to its members. Many of the American Legion's members remain displaced because of the storms and became emotional at Thursday's reopening. MADIERA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly five months after Hurricane Helene forced American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach to close its doors, it reopened Thursday. Members packed the post for the ceremony. "One hundred and twenty days to the day since Helene hit exactly, I can say those two magical and glorious words, welcome home," Post 273 Commander Anthony Torregrossa told a crowd at the reopening ceremony. READ: Bay Area nonprofit expanding facility, raising money for new activity center to help kids The backstory Torregrossa said that's exactly what the Madeira Beach American Legion is for thousands of its members: home. It made him emotional to welcome them back through the doors after Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed most of the place. "When you hope for this day for this long, I mentioned that this is like a fantasy come true," Torregrossa said. Dig deeper During Helene, the post, which had been open since the 1950s, was flooded by three and a half feet of water. "It was a disaster," Torregrossa said. "We basically had to start from scratch, demo everything." The water destroyed every piece of equipment, washed out their office, kitchen, and more. READ: Berkeley Preparatory School educators immersed in cultures beyond the classroom "We consider ourselves an American Legion family," Torregrossa said. "Our employees stepped in from day one and worked four and a half months to rebuild this post." Local perspective Lots of members volunteered to help, like Geo Vandenburgh, the Road Captain for the post. "This is more than just a post," Vandenburgh said. "This is family. Everybody knows everybody. It's a place for veterans to come and feel like they're part of a family." "Our second home has opened the doors again. It has been a long time coming," Vandenburgh said. READ: Bay Area hairdresser turns salsa into side-hustle Their second home also functions as a fundraising spot for the services they offer veterans, like their Bridge the Gap financial assistance program. "The American Legion's mission is to assist veterans, their families, active military, and the community. We've been on hold for four and a half months, and now we can finally get back and do the job that we really want to do, and that's reach out and help every one of those groups that we can," Torregrossa said. Why you should care Torregrossa said many of the members are still displaced, and some are living in the hotel next door. He says they relied on donations and their emergency fund to rebuild and were able to continue to pay their employees while they were closed. The Source FOX 13's Kailey Tracy collected the information in this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
