by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Hundreds gathered at the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Military Appreciation Luncheon Monday to honor armed forces personnel and recognize Jim Gaff as the 2005 Spirit of Hope Award recipient. The award is named after former entertainer and huge United States military supporter Bob Hope.
The Chamber-sponsored event drew a large crown that included Mayor John Peyton, Spirit of Hope Award co-creator Michael Fagin and dozens of armed forces personnel.
After a brief invocation by Chaplain Col. Jim Fogle-Miller and introductions by 2006 Chamber Councils Chair Melanie White, Peyton thanked the residents of Jacksonville for helping the city become “the most military-friendly city in the country,” and urged them to continue to show their support for the families of Jacksonville’s enlisted.
Adm. James G. Stavridis was the keynote speaker and also the presenter of the Spirit of Hope Award to Jim Gaff. The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually to outstanding entertainers and other distinguished Americans and organizations whose patriotism and service to the troops through the United Service Organization reflects that of Hope. Past recipients include longtime CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, Sen. John Glenn and former Pres. George H.W. Bush.
Gaff was selected for the award because of his strong 60-year relationship with the military and the veteran status he earned as a coxswain during the D-Day invasion.
“It is his humble, respectful and tireless service to military families that endures in the mind of all in Jacksonville,” wrote Peyton of Gaff earlier this year in an endorsement letter for his receipt of the award.
In addition to presenting the award to Gaff, Stavridis also discussed the importance of recognizing the contributions that today’s generations are making to the military — much like Gaff’s generation — and stressed that those enlisted in the armed services are lucky to receive the support they do today.
“It wasn’t like this during Vietnam,” said Stavridis. “Today, our troops truly are saluted.”