In memory of 9/11, The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, along with many other companies that support our military and veterans hosted a community wide golf tournament at MacDill AFB on September 11, 2015, “Saluting MacDill AFB- Remembering Always.” The net proceeds raised will be donated to MacDill’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund to support numerous programs in place for military families serving and living at MacDill AFB.
Sponsorships for the event were contributed by Tampa International Airport, Jabil, Suntrust Bank, Oscher Consulting and Laser Spine Institute. Major donors to the event were the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, The Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Pepin Distributing, UBS Financial Services, HCP & Associates, The Equis Group, Sikorsky, Wells Fargo Bank, Beck Architecture, Majestic, Sun Country Cleaners, Outback Steakhouse, PDQ Restaurants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Yankees, and the Tampa Bay Lightning to name just a few.
With so many donors of food, beverages, merchandise, prizes, auction items and manpower in attendance, it is hard to name them all. Some of the more “famous” attendees were Ben Bishop from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tino Martinez a New York Yankee Legend, Paul Kennedy from FoxSports/Lightning TV, Brad Bryant PGA & Champions Tour, Andy Bean PGA & Champions Tour, 4 Star General Art Lichte, Joe Lopano CEO of Tampa International Airport and Ken Atwater President of Hillsborough Community College. The massive support from such key influential people within the Tampa Bay Community and the country present at this event will make it hard to top at future events, especially since this was the first year that this event occurred!
The opening of this event started off with Paul Kennedy kicking off the day by having golfers bring out two American Flags for all to see. One of which was flown over Centcom with the other one that came from the Pentagon on 9/11. The Honor guard then came out and presented the colors followed by our very own native Tech. Sgt. Sonya Bryson who sang the National Anthem to Open the day of Golf.
Events like these are instrumental in boosting the moral of our troops as well as providing community support for our military families. Here at Lux Picture we salute past, present, and future military personnel in all branches of service at home and abroad. Thank you for putting your lives in harms’ way to ensure that our blanket of freedom continues to cover this great nation and allow our children to sleep in peace.
9/11 Gallery is available for those who want a copy. High Resolution images are available from the day!