About Honoring Our Heroes

It started at a kitchen table.

Our mission is simple: to honor and thank veterans and their families — and to make sure every one of them knows their service is remembered and appreciated.

Our Story · In Judy's Words

From 30 veterans to more than 600 guests.

In 2011, I was asked by the ER (Exalted Ruler) to be her Veterans Services Chairman. Given free rein and a $1,000 budget, I decided to have a steak dinner to honor our 30 veterans and their significant others. We had a State Representative, who was also an Air Force veteran, as our keynote speaker. It was a great success — the veterans came to me saying they felt special and appreciated. We continued that tradition for the next few years.

I was then asked to be the District Veterans Services Chairman. I hesitated, but relented when the new ER, Marty Carroll, asked me if I'd like to make a bigger event. I said I would, but I'd need more grant money. He said, "You plan it, and I'll find you the money." The idea was born over the kitchen table with my husband Ed. I wanted to thank and praise every veteran in our little town of 40,000.

We rented a tent, tables, and chairs, and had Mission BBQ cater the event. Local businesses pitched in with coffee, tea, and sodas. We printed free tickets and invited our beloved veterans, some from the Tampa Veterans Hospital, the Mayor, and the County Commissioner. They came with proclamations, support, and enthusiasm. The mayor turned to me and said, "This is a great day, and we must continue to honor our veterans every year." And so, it began.

We had around 160 that first year, and it has since grown to over 600. We've had dynamic speakers every year. In 2019, State Senator Danny Burgess told us we now have the largest indoor event for veterans in the State of Florida.

Without the generosity of the Elks Grant, local businesses, and individuals, this event would not be possible. And without our marvelous volunteers — including Boy Scout Troop 744, Elks Lodge members, Suncoast Credit Union, and many others — it would not be possible to make this happen.

With gratitude,

Founder & President, Honoring Our Heroes

"I was eating at our local diner recently and an elderly lady asked if I was Judy Wise. I said yes, and she said, 'I just want to thank you. My husband and I came to your luncheon for four years straight until he got cancer. He's in hospice now, but I wanted to tell you how much it meant to him to be honored — but mostly thanked. He was in Vietnam, and you know the rest of the story.'"

Judy Wise

A Yellow Ribbon · 2019

Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree.

In 2019 we became aware that 22 veterans take their own lives every day. We made that year's theme the old anthem of homecoming — and high school honor students, Boy Scouts, and volunteers tied yellow ribbons around trees across town.

City Hall's phones nearly shut down from neighbors who thought the marked trees were going to be cut down. Once the real reason came out, all was forgiven — and the message was impossible to miss.

If you or a veteran you know is struggling, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255. Available 24/7.

In Memory

Marty Carroll

September 15, 1951 – November 12, 2018

The Exalted Ruler who told Judy, "You plan it, and I'll find you the money." The bigger event was born from his belief. We carry it forward in his honor.

The board

A small, all-volunteer board of directors