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Mission statement:
The objective of the Veterans Council of St. Johns County, Florida is to be of assistance to all veterans who have served in any of the military branches of service of the United States of America. This website is designed to serve our veterans and shall act as a communications center for this Council. The Council is proud of our past successes and we look forward to many more in the months and years to come.
© 2016-24 Veterans Council of St. Johns County Inc.
St. Augustine, FL 32085 All rights reserved
St. Johns Veterans Council receives County Commissioners Proclamation
On Nov. 3, the Veterans Council of St. Johns County met with the Board of County
Commissioners to receive a proclamation from the Commissioners honoring our Veterans. As we
have done every year in the past, we presented the BCC with gifts. This year, we presented each
of the Commissioners and Administration with a copy of LTC Greg Moore's book, “Sacred Ground:
The Military Cemetery at St. Augustine,” that he wrote before his passing. Alison Simpson,
Command Historian, Florida National Guard, wrote an inscription in the front cover “In
remembrance of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, and in honor of our nation's
veterans, please accept this book on behalf of LTC (Retired) Gregory A. Moore, deceased, as a
token of appreciation for your service to this community and as a source for inspiration to learn
more about our great country and the men and women who made it so.”
LTC Greg Moore’s widow Nancy Moore was in attendance for the presentation.
Bill Dudley, Chairman
Veterans Council of St. Johns County
The Veterans Council of St. Johns County, Inc., is an exempt organization, recognized under IRC§501(c)(3) as a public charity, FEIN 27-1971825, registered (# CH31930) with the Florida
Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services as The Veterans Council of St. Johns County, Inc., which may solicit funds as The William E. Dudley Foundation. Contributions may be
deductible from taxable federal income as charitable donations under IRC§170 and/or IRC§6115. The Council does not use professional solicitors. 100% of funds received benefit the
missions of the Council: supporting, advising, advocating, recommending and assisting the various commissions, organizations and citizens of St. Johns County, and funding The William E.
Dudley Foundation.
Veterans Council of St. Johns County
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For 24-hour counsel, call the National Veteran Crisis Hotline at 988, then press 1. You may also
call 211 in Florida for confidential help. Visit www.SaveFLVets.org for more resources available to
Veterans, their families and friends. #SuicidePrevention #FLVets
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ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida, September 19, 2024 – On Tuesday, Sept. 17, St. Johns County celebrated the remarkable life and
service of Mr. Joe Shomo, a resident of St. Augustine and a World War II veteran, during a recognition ceremony held in the St. Johns
County Administration Rotunda. The St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs produced a video to honor the occasion.
Mr. Shomo, who turned 101 on Aug. 21, was honored with a ceremony and a Certificate of Recognition presented during the Board
of County Commissioners regular meeting. Family, friends, and officials welcomed Mr. Shomo, who was provided a police escort by
the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Born in South Fork, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 21, 1923, Mr. Shomo grew up in Derry, Pennsylvania, where he developed a love for
baseball and basketball. After graduating high school in 1941, he attended the University of Indiana in Pennsylvania until he was
drafted into the U.S. Army on May 24, 1943.
Mr. Shomo underwent basic training and specialized as a T5 radio repairman, serving in various locations, including Fort McClellan,
Alabama, and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was deployed to France, where he provided critical radio repair support during the
war. Following his honorable discharge on Feb. 9, 1946, he continued his education, earning degrees in education and accounting.
In addition to his military service, Mr. Shomo had a successful career working for several notable companies, including IBM, Trans
World Airlines, Mack Trucks, U.S. Steel, and Hamilton Oil. He has lived in cities such as Baltimore, Jacksonville, and Littleton,
Colorado. He married Marcella Shomo on July 21, 1960, and they enjoyed nearly 50 years together before her passing. In 1996, he
made St. Augustine his home, where he continues to enjoy retirement.
The ceremony featured remarks from officials, including U.S. Congressman John Rutherford, St. Johns County District 1
Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, St. Johns County Veterans Council Chairman Bill Dudley, and Ashley Cook, Senior Regional
Director for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. The St. Augustine High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadets were
also present to honor Mr. Shomo for his dedication to serving our country.
St. Johns County extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Shomo for his service and commitment to the nation. His legacy serves as an
inspiration to all.
St. Augustine, Florida ~ Bridge of Lions
St. Johns County Honors 101-Year-Old World War II Veteran Joe Shomo
© 2016-22 Veterans Council of St. Johns County Inc
All rights reserved
is an IRS§501(c)(3) exempt organization, FEIN 27-1971825, registered (# CH31930) with
the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Contributions are deductible
from taxable federal income as charitable donations under IRS§170 and/or IRS§6115.
The Council does not use professional solicitors. 100% of funds received benefit the
missions of the Council, to assist Veterans and their families, to represent the voice of
Veterans to the residents of St. Johns County, Florida and to focus attention upon the
Military’s vital support and sustenance of the community of St. Augustine since its
founding in 1565. For financial or additional information, please see our website,
www.VeteransCouncilOfStJohns.org or mail your request to PO Box 2117, St. Augustine,
FL 32085-2117. Please send your donation, payable to the order of “Veterans Council of
St. Johns County, Inc.” to PO Box 2117, St. Augustine, FL 32085-2117. A COPY OF THE
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE
DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE.
REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY
THE STATE. The toll-free number of the Department is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) —
calling from within the State of Florida, or (850) 488-2221 — calling from outside Florida.
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