HEADQUARTERS, U.S. FORCES SOUTHERN COMMAND, Miami -- Three-month-old Amanda Gonzalez, the daughter of a Marine, will grow up without meeting her father and establishing that special bond that exist between a girl and her dad. However, she will benefit from his living memorial in the form of a college scholarship.
The Honorable Jeb Bush, governor of Florida, was joined here by other dignitaries in a special ceremony to honor those who had given the full measure of devotion to their country, and bestow the priceless gift of learning to their children.
Amanda was one of 16 children of fathers were killed in either Iraq or Afghanistan who received a Florida Prepaid College Foundation scholarship in the award ceremony. The event honored six soldiers and one Marine -- Amanda's father -- Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez.
Cpl. Gonzalez, from Hialeah, Fla, was killed in a non-combat accident April 14th in Southern Iraq. He was a motor vehicle operator assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, Marine Wing Support Group 27, 2nd Marine Air Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Gonzalez' wife, Luidmila, cradled her infant daughter throughout the ceremony, which took place on a cool, rainy Wednesday morning outside the headquarters of U.S. Forces Southern Command in Miami. While a tent sheltered them and the other loved ones from the rain, the guest speakers, including the governor, braved the elements to pay their respects to the fallen heroes. Luidmila expressed her gratitude and said her husband would be grateful and proud as well.
Among those in attendance was Brig. General Michael Lehnert, chief of staff, U.S. Forces Southern Command. Brig. General Lehnert led Gonzalez' unit as Commander, Marine Logistics Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom while Gonzalez served as an individual augment to 2nd Transportation Support Battalion. He commented on the importance of the scholarship. "It doesn't replace losing their fathers, but I think it's one of the finest things that can be done for them," he said.
As the guest of honor, The Honorable Jeb Bush paid tribute to the fathers' sacrifices and their convictions. "They stood tall; they served with honor, and courage, and pride. They laid down their lives to create a safer world, to protect the ideals of our great country, and the people who believe in them. To defend the homeland, and the future of their children, and all of our children. In every generation the world has produced enemies of freedom, and they're defeated every time, because of men like the fathers and husbands we honor today."
The scholarships will cover four years of tuition and one year of housing at any Florida public university, and may be transferred to a private, technical or out-of- state school. "Patriotic private donors have made these scholarships possible because they realize what a precious gift education is," said Gen. James T. Hill, Commanding General, U.S. Forces Southern Command. "These scholarships are just one way we honor these families who have given so much to this state, and to this country."
The ceremony's final speaker was Chairman Stanley G. Tate, chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Board. Tate, who produced the idea to award the scholarships to the children of fallen warriors, summed up the solemn, bittersweet nature of the event. "While the voices of those heroes have been silenced, their love for their families, and the hope for their children and their children?s success will endure. Their legacies will live on through their children."