A Salute to Florida’s Veterans – Four Stories from Orlando Area Hometown Heroes

Since the onset of World War II, Florida has experienced a surge in economic development, leading to the increase of major centers for military training. By 1942, Florida had over 172 military installations, which marked the emergence of Florida as an influential state, especially regarding the military.

As we honor our heroes on Veterans Day, here are four stories from our brave Florida servicemen and women.

In Case You’re Interested:

>> Super Fun Family Restaurants
>> Cheap Family Fun
>> Orlando Hotels with Waterparks

Orlando Area Veterans

“This We’ll Defend” The United States Army

At the age of 18, Sam Janowitz joined the Army. “I went into the service in 1958, came
out in 1962 and was extended twice. Once, when they built the Berlin Wall, and the second time I was extended, was for the Cuban Missile Crisis.”

Born in New York, Sam and his family moved to Miami when he was six months old. “I’ve been a Floridian my whole life,” he says with pride. He enrolled at the University of Miami, “But I had to leave. And that is when Uncle Sam came calling.”

Sam decided to enlist to choose what he wanted to do in the service. “I wanted to become a medic. I thought I could contribute more by doing that.”

Sam began as a field medic. “When you’re out in the field, if there’s a combat situation, you really don’t have doctors out there. We were more trained to save lives than take lives.”

While spending most of his time working at Womack Army Hospital in the X-ray department, Sam served a special assignment on his old stomping grounds, Key West.

“During the Cuban Missile Crisis, I had to set up field hospitals. We had set up a military hospital in case there was combat, which was avoided when we turned the Russian ship around.”

Since retirement, Sam treasures the friends he has made at The Villages. “I have a dear friend who’s going to be 100 years old in November, and he looks better than me. He is a hero.”

Sam’s friend is World War II veteran and hero, Irving Locker, who, at age 19, was a staff sergeant with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion of the 1st Army’s 7th Corps.

“He was in combat and helped liberate a concentration camp. Irving was in the Battle of the Bulge. He landed in Normandy. When President Trump gave his State of the Union message, and he invited the World War II veterans, he pointed up in the gallery. That’s my friend, Irv.”

Sam is humble. “I was there in case someone got hurt. The real heroes are the ones that pay the ultimate sacrifice. I was proud to serve.”

“Honor, Courage, Commitment” – The United States Navy

Sue Roper has been interested in the military since childhood.

“My first boyfriend and I swore that when we reached the age of 18, we were going to join the Marine Corps,” Sue explains.

When Sue turned 18, “He was nowhere to be found, so I decided to go to nursing school instead.”

There was one problem. “I realized they don’t accept nurses in the Marines. The Navy takes care of the Marines, so that’s why I joined the Navy.”

After graduating from nursing school, Sue’s first duty station was Quantico Marine Corps Base.

“Back in 1974, it was a hospital. I was an ensign, and it was challenging for a new nurse.”

Sue felt pleased when the Navy sent her back to school to get her bachelor’s degree, and later her master’s degree, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. But there was one drawback.

“They wanted to send me to Keflavik, Iceland.” Fortunately, her captain intervened on her behalf, and she found herself in Bethesda.

Sue spent 21 years in the Navy. “And I would love to have stayed. But my next duty station was Great Lakes, Illinois. and I’m a Florida girl; a little bit too cold for me. So I said, ‘Thank you very much, but I’m going to retire.’”

Sue came home to Florida. “I’ve been very active as president of the Tri-County Women Veterans Group.” Under Sue’s leadership, the group has grown from 24 to over 350 members.

Sue is proud of her service. “I felt like I was part of something bigger than just me. You know, my mantra is, ‘Get up, dress up, show up, and never give up.’ And that’s how I still am.”

“Semper Fideles” – The United States Marine Corps

Tom Howard turned 18 while he was serving his country in Vietnam.

“My MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was 0311, which means I was a grunt, a ground pounder, a rifleman.”

Born in Indiana, then moving to Florida at 13, Tom graduated from high school in 1963. Tom never considered joining the military. “When you’re a kid, you play cowboys and war games. But no, I really didn’t at all.”

It was between semesters in college when Tom received his draft notice. He went into the Marine Corps in January, and in July, he was in Vietnam.

“That’s the way it was back then. I went to Paris Island, which is one thing I always ask fellow Marines. ‘Paris Island or Hollywood?’ Because the Marines have always kidded the Marines that went through Hollywood, which was Camp Pendleton.”

A loving husband to his wife Becky, proud father and grandfather, Tom lights up when he talks about his family. “I have five grandchildren, four boys and a girl. I’m real proud of them all.”

When Tom returned from Vietnam, there were no ticker tape parades or celebrations.

“They spit on us. We were treated terribly. That’s why I make it a point that if I ever see someone wearing a hat that says they served in Vietnam, I go up to him and I say welcome home.”

Now retired and living in Florida, Tom is an active veteran volunteer liaison for hospice in Marion County. Each year, he coordinates teams to visit different facilities on Veterans Day. Last year they visited 29 facilities and honored 439 veterans.

Tom recently received the distinguished “We Honor Veteran Volunteer Service Award.” He is modest about the recognition. “It’s not just Tom Howard who does it. We’ve got tons of volunteers, and we’re a team.”

Tom believes people need to honor their country. “One thing that gets me is all my grandchildren stand for the flag. When they’ve had to do stories at school, they ask, ‘Grandpa, would you mind if I tell them a little bit about what you did?’ You know, that means so much.”

“Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win” – The United States Air Force

Born in 1932 and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Bill Grosze was itching for adventure.

One of his childhood memories was watching a young serviceman wait at the church altar to take communion before shipping out to World War II.

“Pastor had his back to the congregation as this young man walked down the aisle to receive what could be his last Holy Communion,” remembers Bill.

There was one obstacle: Bill knew if he enlisted, it would break his mother’s heart. He waited for her to leave town for the week, then made a beeline to enlist.

“There was no question in my mind that I would join the Air Force. I was eager to serve my country and see the world.”

Bill’s station during his service from 1949 to 1955 was in Africa. His last station was MacDill Air Force Base, where he fell in love with St. Petersburg, boating on the Gulf of Mexico and a pretty woman named Judy, who he married.

“My years in the Air Force taught me discipline, and respect and made me the man I am today. It was my honor to serve my country. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”