TAMPA – Hillsborough County military veterans were honored Monday during the county’s 60th annual tribute at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa.

The event featured a number of speakers, including several service men and women, county leaders and Col. Edward Szczepanik, Commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base.

Col. Edward Szczepanik, Commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, spoke during the 60th annual memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa.

“This is not a day for the United States to feel sorry for us. It is a day for the United States to thank us for everything we have done,” Szczepanik said. “I bet everyone in this audience, whether as a veteran or a family member, goes to bed every night… a little creaky, a little tired, a little stressed. But you go to bed every night knowing that you mattered.”

The event was nearly canceled due to damage to the park during Hurricane Milton, which downed nearly 30 trees, caused flooding, and damaged the park’s amphitheater.

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Frank Strom, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who serves as director of Hillsborough County Consumer and Veteran Services, said crews worked tirelessly to repair the park in time for the ceremony.

“It just didn’t seem possible. But by the grace of God, we made it happen,” Strom said. “Our community has suffered enough, hurricanes, and our veterans depend on this annual event just to come together, share camaraderie and just have a good time.”

During the event, U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced a bipartisan effort with U.S. Congresswoman Laurel Lee to secure $750,000 to expand the Veterans Resource Center and Veterans Memorial Park.

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