2016FEBRUARY_FFVF_NEWSLETTER

www.ffvfbroward.org | POBox4116,FortLauderdale,FL33338 | Follow us
ISSUE 1 | FEBRUARY 2016
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Hoping everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I want
to thank the Freedoms Foundation members and board members for
all your support and making us the “Chapter of the Year”. I also want to
thank the students and board members that supported the Toys for Tots
Marine Corps toy drive, which was a success at our Christmas Party.
Lisa Paguagua, Jacqueline Trumbore, Jordan Trumbore, Jorge Castillo,
1stSgt Thomas, Lisa Gould, Jeff Leibowitz, Kim Harrell, Anna Shyne,
Jeffrey Shyne, Nicole Peterkin, Elizabeth Stevenson and Bonnie
Stevenson, great job on interviewing over 140 High School Juniors from
Broward County Private & Public schools for the upcoming Spirit of
American Leaders Youth Program.
Johnny Castro, the Chairman for this year’s Gala, has been doing an
outstanding job on the 43rd George Washington Fundraising Gala.
We are currently looking for sponsorship for our Gala that is on Friday,
February 19th, at 6:30 P.M. This Gala will help support our goals and
objectives, and in particular, to raise money to send South Florida High
School Students to the Spirit of American Leaders Youth Program this
comingspringinValleyForge.Thesescholarshipscostusapproximately
$1500 for each student. We hope that you are interested in supporting
us with sponsorship (Please see sponsorship form in newsletter). At this
year’s Gala we will have a new addition in presenting the Jack & Harriet
Kaye Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jane Wikberg Outstanding
Volunteer Service Award. We will also continue to present the Boyce
Ann Bryant Change = Change Scholarship to a student, and the George
Washington Honor Medal.
Thank you in advance for your support and God Bless.
Abiud (Abi) Montes
FFVF Broward County Chapter President

2015
/ 2016
GEORGE WASHINGTON LOCAL AWARD AND
GEORGE WASHINGTON HONOR MEDAL RECIPIENTS
LYNN DRUCKER Dr. Drucker is a retired neurosurgeon,
who is fully dedicated to serving her community. She
tirelessly works in various community organizations
giving of her time and her personal resource to make
a difference in the youth and adults in her community.
Lynn is married to Dr. David Drucker, a pediatric
surgeon. They have two children, Adam, a graduate of
the United States Naval Academy (2013), and Natalie,
who is starting her residency in pediatric surgery.
Dr. Lynn Atkinson Drucker has been very involved
in supporting youth in our community and our men
and women serving in the U.S. Navy through various
organizations. As Treasurer for the U.S. Sea Cadets -
Spruance Division for the past eight years, Dr. Drucker
administers finances as the Treasurer, leads the
parent meetings, and heads up the Parent Executive
Committee. Dr. Lynn Drucker has single-handedly
obtained sponsorships to provide scholarships for Sea
Cadets to attend various trainings that are offered in
the winter and summer sessions.
Lynn is a one-woman army that works tirelessly to obtain
sponsors, coordinate events and activities on behalf
of the youth of our city, helping these young people
to stay in school, stay drug-free, teaching them about
our nation and about service. She also supports our
troops from all branches of service. During Fleet Week
she has personally sponsored events for the enlisted
men and women who visit, she coordinates sending
care packages to deployed service men and women in
“adopted” units, and that is just what can be seen. She
is a humble Navy Mom with a heart for service, and she
does much to help Sea Cadets and military families that
is not seen or recognized.
JOSE R. RODRIGUEZ Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto
Rico, Jose embarked on a patriotic way of life by
enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. After
serving a successful six years in the Marine Corps he
received an honorable discharge. Still having a burning
desire to protect and serve, Joe enlisted in the U.S.
Army during the Vietnam Era, and the U.S. Navy during
the Beirut Bombing conflict. Jose is a fine example of
patriotism and American citizen.
A father of six children, and married to his wonderful
wife Julie for the past 30 years, Jose reside in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. A devoted family man who
always gives 110% towards his children’s education
and extracurricular activities, Jose has always had
the desire in his heart to give that same effort
towards other children less fortunate. As a successful
business owner, Jose has provided many families
with opportunities through employment and personal
contributions. A passion for goodwill and helping the
less fortunate clearly describes Jose Rodriguez.
In January 2007 Jose Rodriguez successfully became
an official 501(c)3 charity known as “Rodriguez
Charities”. Since January 2007 Rodriguez Charities
has set record donating numbers within the Broward,
Palm Beach and Dade counties. As of January 19th,
2011, Rodriguez Charities will hit their “Half a Million”
donation mark at one of the Palm Beach County local
school’s donation ceremony. The raising and donating
will not stop there though! Following the success of
their 6th Annual Golf Tournament, Rodriquez Charities
has big donation plans in the works for the future.
2

2015
/ 2016
GEORGE WASHINGTON LOCAL AWARD AND
GEORGE WASHINGTON CERTIFICATE OF MERIT RECIPIENT
AMY DECELLE The Broward County Chapter is honored to
nominate Amy DeCelle for the Teacher/Administrator
entry for the George Washington Honor Medal. She is
an innovative 2nd Grade teacher at Tropical Elementary
School in Plantation, FL, who goes above and beyond
expectations for her students, their parents, co-
workers, administrators, and her community. Amy
DeCelle’s high-energy, creativity, and altruistic nature
is engaging and inspires those around her. This has
been proven by her 17 successful years educating our
youth, connecting social and cognitive experiences to
achieve student gains, achieving grants for students,
classrooms, and schools, as well as conducting free
grant classes for educators, and donating hundreds of
hours to her community.
Each year, Mrs. DeCelle creates innovative learning
experiences to motivate her students to work selflessly,
first within the school, then within their community.
Mrs. DeCelle developed a program called, “Acting in
Kindness” that inspires her students to achieve learning
goals, which encourage empathy and self-efficacy in and
out of the school environment.
Mrs. DeCelle has positively affected thousands of
students, parents schools, teachers, and community
leaders within the past 17 consecutive years. Her
teaching is real world, focusing on citizenship, diversity,
and empathy. She is a member of the Superintendent
TeacherAdvisory Board; she is Nationally Board Certified,
Lean Six Sigma Certified, and sits on the University of
Phoenix Advisory Board as well. These are all charitable
roles that encourage her to develop her students to not
only become college and career ready, but with the
understanding of the value of contributing to the world
around them.
LT. LON B. RODABAUGH was born and raised in Virginia
Beach, Virginia, and entered the Navy 10 days after
graduating from Princess Anne High School as the
NJROTC Executive Officer. During his career, he
worked in the Aviation, Surface Ships, Diving, Small
boat OPS, and Amphibious Communities. He qualified
as a Master Training Specialist, US Navy Lifeguard,
Sailing Instructor, SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance
Escape) Instructor, Surface Warfare Officer, and Ship’s
Team Diver.
Enlisted duty assignments include: USS AMERICA
(CV 66), Aircraft Carrier (Norfolk, VA) flight deck
Corpsman Aviation Survival Training Center (Norfolk,
VA), Instructor Ejection Seats Aviation Survival Training
Center (Brunswick, ME) Instructor Altitude Chamber
SERE (Brunswick, ME) Instructor Aviation Water
Survival Training Center (Norfolk, VA) Instructor Helo
Dunker.
In 2000, Lt. Rodabaugh was selected for the Enlisted
Commissioning Program and graduated from Old
Dominion University in 2002 receiving his commission,
Officer duty assignments include: USS SHOUP (DDG
86), Destroyer-Operations Intelligence Officer in Everett,
WA, PATROL COASTAL CREW ECHO USS FIREBOLT
(PC-9), Patrol Coastal Ship-Weapons Officer forward
deployed in Manama, Bahrain, FDU (Fleet Diving Unit)
Atlantic, Operations Officer and Commanding Officer
of YDT SCHELT, Canadian Yard Dive Tender in Nova
Scotia, Canada (Personnel exchange program with
Her Majesties Royal Canadian Navy), USS ROBERT G.
BRADLEY (FFG-49), Frigate-Combat Systems Officer and
Senior Watch Officer in Mayport, FL. CPR6 (Amphibious
Squadron Six), N6 Department Head Staff and Plans
Officer in Norfolk, VA.
LT Rodabaugh is married to Melanie Rodabaugh and
has 3 children, Alexander, Adrian, and Mia. He has
been to 33 countries and sailed in every ocean during
the past 22 years.
3

INTRODUCING GEORGE WASHINGTON GALA
GUEST OF HONOR MELVIN MORRIS
MELVIN MORRIS Congressional Medal of Honor
recipient Melvin Morris was born in Okmulgee,
Okla., Jan. 7, 1942. Morris entered the Oklahoma
Army National Guard in 1959 and later requested
to join the active Army. He became one of the first
Soldiers to don the ‘green beret’ at the command of
President John F. Kennedy, Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1961.
Morris volunteered twice for deployments to Vietnam.
Melvin Morris is being recognized for his valorous
actions on Sept. 17, 1969, while commanding the
Third Company, Third Battalion of the IV Mobile
Strike Force near Chi Lang. Then-Staff Sergeant
Morris led an advance across enemy lines to retrieve
a fallen comrade and single-handedly destroyed
an enemy force that had pinned his battalion from
a series of bunkers. Staff Sergeant Morris was shot
three times as he ran back toward friendly lines with
the American casualties, but did not stop until he
reached safety.
The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to
then Staff Sgt. Morris in April 1970 for extraordinary
heroism during this 1969 battle. After receiving the
award, he returned to Vietnam the same month for
his second tour. He retired at Fort Hood, Texas in May
1985. Morris currently resides in Cocoa, Fla.Morris
received the Medal of Honor, March 18, 2014. He has
also received the Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze
Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal,
Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and
one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct
Medal Silver with one Loop, National Defense
Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star, Non-
commissioned Officer Professional Development
Ribbon with Numeral “3”, Army Service Ribbon,
Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “4”, Combat
Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge,
Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Special
Forces Tab, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Medal with “60” Device, Vietnam Parachutist Badge,
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
with Palm Device, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions
Honor Medal Citation, First Class.
4

FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE BROWARD COUNTY CHAPTER
GEORGE WASHINGTON GALA SPONSOR/DONATION FORM 2016
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
$10,000 AND ABOVE
Includes 10 person VIP table at the Banquet | Full Page ad in the Banquet Program
Recognition during the Awards Presentation
Advertisement in Newsletter for 1 year and George Washington Membership
MARTHA WASHINGTON LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $7,500
Includes 8 person VIP table at the Banquet | Half- Page ad in the Banquet Program
Advertisement in Newsletter for 1/2 year and George Washington Membership
ALEXANDER HAMILTON LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $3,000
Includes 4 seats at VIP table at the Banquet | 1/4 Sized ad in the Banquet Program
Advertisement in Newsletter for 1/4 year and 3 year Membership
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $1,000
Includes 2 seats at VIP table at the Banquet

SPONSOR A MILITARY COUPLE TO ATTEND THE GALA ($300.00)
Purchase an advertisement in the George Washington Gala Program
Full page 5” x 8” $500 | ½ page 5” x 4” $250
1/4 page 2.5” x 4” $100
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO GALA PROGRAM IS FEB 12TH | 2016
Purchase_____tickets to attend the George Washington Gala - $150.00 per person
Please complete and return this form along with your donation to: Maureen Carter
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Broward County Chapter
PO Box 4116 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33338
Cell phone: 561.289.5612 | Email: freedomsfoundationbroward@gmail.com
Checks should be made payable to: Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Broward County Chapter
Name of Donor/Business:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Telephone:
Email Address:

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a national, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian, educational organization founded in
1949 by Don Belding, E. F. Hutton, and Ken Wells, three prominent American businessmen.
Membership | Broward County Chapter | Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
P. O. Box 4116 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33338
Because I believe in and want to support the following purposes and goals of the Broward County Chapter
of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, I hereby apply for membership:
•To improve the understanding of the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights;
•To interest and encourage citizens to support actively the American Way of Life as set forth in the Declaration of Independence
and the Credo of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge;
•To take positive steps to teach young people to assume the responsibilities of good citizenship;
•To be diligent in protecting our political and economic rights;
•To encourage responsible and intelligent citizens to join in our efforts to achieve these goals;
•To further the aims and purpose of building a greater awareness of the values of our American way of life.
Enclosed is my check payable to Freedoms Foundation – Broward County Chapter for membership. Membership dues for the Broward
County Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge are due June 1st
of each year and may be deductible for income tax purposes.
Regular, per year per individual $30.00
Patron, per year per individual $125.00
George Washington 5 year membership $300.00
Sample: Mrs. John C. Doe, Jr. (Jane)
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please print your name the way you want it to appear in the membership roster, including Miss, Mrs., Ms., Mr., Dr.
Address __________________________________________________________ Apt. # ________________________
City ____________________________________________ State __________ Zip ____________________________
Home Phone _________________________________ Cell Phone ________________________________________
Paid by: Cash Check Card Todays Date:____________________________________________
E-Mail____________________________________________________________________________________________
We invite you to become involved. Check all of the following that are of an interest to you:
Awards Program Membership Public Relations Silent Auction
Interview Students Ways and Means Newsletter Special Projects
Chaperone Students Grant Applications Telephone Committee Other
Hostess Budget/Finance Geo. Wash. Ball
Please send this application and check to:
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

NOW
Freedoms Foundation spring 1986, I was a 15 year old junior at Deerfield
Beach High School. At that time I did not see myself as college material
and most certainly did not see myself as a leader. I am very lucky that
others did. My sophomore year I was in a general American History
class and was bored to tears.
I went to my guidance counselor and asked her if I could be switched
into the Advanced American History class. She said she would be
happy to but that I would probably not make the straight A’s that I had
been making in the easier class. I did fall to a B/C student but loved
the content and it was then my passion for history and literature started
to bloom.
Back then Advanced Placement classes were reserved for the seniors,
however, building on my relationship with this woman that believed in
me I requested to be placed in AP European History. She placed me in
the class and the very dim spark that was inside of me started to turn
into a flame. Two things happened later that year, she told me that I
was the school’s choice for Freedoms Foundation leadership event in
Valley Forge, PA and that I was going to not only go to college but get
a scholarship. I went to Valley Forge with 50 of the brightest juniors
Broward County Public Schools had to offer. It was life changing.
Because I was with other student leaders and they assumed I was
a leader too. I kinda started to find my voice. It wasn’t the voice of a
leader but the voice of “why” and curiosity. This was 1986 and I was
obsessed with the sociology of politics and particularly curious about
communism. In one of the breakouts I asked so many questions, I
think it was the staff librarian came to me and gave me a book; About
Communism by J. Edgar Hoover and it was signed by him. I still have
that book proudly displayed on my main book case.
When I returned to Deerfield that guidance counselor pulled me out of
class and said, “now about that college application.” We spent the rest
of the day filling out an application to Broward Community College and
Florida Atlantic University. I was awarded a full ride to both schools. By
the end of my third quarter I was on academic probation and by my
fourth lost my scholarship. I took me 8 more years to finish my last two
years of my BA. But I did it, and earned a degree in English with a focus
on Medieval Literature and History. It is important that I share no one on
either side of my family had attended college. Today only my sister and
I are college graduates out of over 25 cousins by my parent’s siblings.
Today I am a parent leader with in the Broward County Public School
System. My sons are in 7th and 10th grade. I have been a PTA member
for 11 years and volunteered on several education advisory committees
and served as an executive member on the BCPS ESE Advisory Council.
In 2013 I was selected from the Florida Developmental Disabilities
Council to participate in their Partners in Policymaking cohort.
Specifically to educate parents and self-advocates how to advocate
and lobby for the needs of our most fragile population; persons with
different abilities.
Currently I am in my second term as Central Area Advisory Council
Chair and am proud to assist 76 schools in the central corridor of
Broward County. I come in contact with students and parents on a daily
basis, I feel it is my job, no my blessing to share what I have learned and
to “pay it forward”. We all have an inner leader,we all have something
important to say and contribute. Freedoms Foundation was my first
opportunity for my inner leader to become an outer leader.
Thank you.
Allicia Young-Walford
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
5

On Friday, January 22, 2016, the Broward County Chapter had it’s Annual Student/Teacher Orientation meeting at Deicke Auditorium. We had over
300 people in attendance and it was the largest crowd ever to attend our meeting. This year we will be sending 3 groups with a total of 100 students
from South Florida to the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program in Valley Forge. We are also sending 30 teachers to the Graduate Program
Summit this summer. All this is possible by your donations and also by attending our George Washington Gala. Buy your ticket today.
ANNUAL STUDENT/TEACHER
ORIENTATION MEETING 2016
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
My name is Vena Goldstein. I was selected for this great opportunity
to attend the 2016 Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program. I had
a lot of mixed emotions, just like how you go to a new school and no
one knows you. I thought I wasn’t going to make any friends at this
meeting. After the orientation I felt more confident about going on
the trip than I was before. We even took our group pictures, which
was really memorable. I have them all saved on my phone. I am
really excited about going on this trip, I think it will be a fun way to
learn more about history but away from home.
My name is Jessica Ladanowski and I attend Atlantic Technical High
School in Coconut Creek. I went to orientation and was pleasantly
surprised at the whole thing. I went in thinking it was going to be
a long lecture and what not to do, instead I got answers to all the
questions I was thinking - and would probably be wondering very
soon. I loved the fact that there were past participants on this trip
attending and telling us all the important things. The whole event
gave me all the little details I would need to know while giving
something truly exciting and amazing to look forward to.
Vena Goldstein | Coral Glades High School Jessica Ladanowski | Atlantic Technical High School
6

My name is Luke Fraser and I am a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High
School. I was selected to attend the Freedom Foundation’s prestigious
Youth Leadership Program at Valley Forge. I went to the orientation on
Friday January 22nd and felt proud. I felt proud to represent my county
in such a highly regarded event and felt honored to have been one of
the selected.
I went to the freedoms foundation orientation and it was just awesome
very organized the people there were great. I met some kids that were
going on my trip during the dinner. I thought it was really cool hearing
about other kids experiences when they went on the trip.I can’t wait to
go to Pennsylvania I’m really excited to to experience new things.
I went to the orientation and I could tell immediately that all the
adult and student volunteers had a strong sense of volunteerism
and loyalty to the Freedoms Foundation. I arrived earlier to help set
up the orientation and in the span of two hours, I watched everyone
put together a successful event for the parents and students. The
atmosphere was warm and friendly, and I felt as though I made the
right decision to join this amazing program. I’m extremely excited for
March and I can’t wait to spend more time working with FFVF!
I went to the orientation, and thought it was amazing. It was lively, bright,
and I got to reconnect with several friends from middle and elementary
school. I really liked the personal experiences that was shared by kids
who previously went on the trip, it was extremely insightful. At the
orientation I really saw the goals of the organization and the wonderful
people who organize and run it. I truly appreciate their time and effort
in organizing the orientation. Overall I had a wonderful time and I am
glad I was chosen to be in the foundation.
I attended orientation a week ago and it was a really nice experience. I
hardly knew anything of the Freedoms Foundation and listening to the
devoted speakers was something that touched me. Every student who
described their experience said the trip was the best of their lives and
an extra excitement was instantly awakened in me. All of the teachers
and volunteers in the organization were amazing. The hard work and
effort that they put into this program is inspiring to me- how much
they care about the students and about our country. Needless to say
I was super excited to get a hoodie and a polo and a hat (and a name
tag!) that I can wear to show off this organization and tell anyone who
inquires about it to apply and become involved. Most of all, orientation
left me grateful to be a part of this program.
In November, I was selected by my AP US History teacher to apply
for the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge trip. I was instantly
responsive. Being interested politics and journalism, the Freedom
Foundations’ mission spoke to me. When I researched the Freedoms
Foundation at Valley Forge, I noticed this quote on their website,
“Challenge all to reject apathy and get involved.” At that moment, I fell
in love with this program. Speaking with alumni and chaperones of the
trip, I released how fortunate I was to be a part of the program. Just
meeting the volunteers, seeing so many students involved, taking part
of the volunteering process, and doing great things for our American
heroes like teachers and veterans is a gift enough, going to Valley
Forge in Philadelphia is the best bonus.
I went to orientation and better understood the nature of the trips.
They are meant to teach students about the history of our country and
encourage them to be proud citizens. The trips are going to be
eventfilled and interactive. The orientation was very professional and
the organized. Right when I arrived to the time I left, I knew where I
should go and what I needed to do. I enjoyed the students who dressed
up as George and Martha Washington and talked about their past
experiences on the trip.
Luke Fraser | St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Sara Acquavella | Monarch High School
Jesse Siu | Everglades High School
Marrisa Campbell | Pompano Beach High School
Kassandra Perez | Coral Glades High School
Jasmine Knight | South Broward High School
Lily Schleider | Atlantic Technical High School.
7

BrowardCountyChapter
PO Box 4116, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33338
NON PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
FT LAUD FL
PERMIT 1999
The mission of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is to impart
to Americans – particularly young Americans – an understanding of
and commitment to our heritage, basic values upon which this nation
was built, the private enterprise system, and responsible citizenship.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2016FEBRUARY_FFVF_NEWSLETTER

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