Home of the brave: Ormond Memorial Art Museum holds annual Veterans Day Tribute

This year's guest speaker was Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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As the citizens nationwide gather to honor the legacy of U.S. veterans, Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent highlighted the importance of service — and continuing to support all who served. 

Sargent, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, was the keynote speaker during this year's annual Veterans Day Tribute at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony featured performances by the LPE Jazz Trio, the Bombshell Sirens of Halifax Theatre, comedian Carmen Vallone and the Daytona Beach Choral Society. 

During his emotional speech, Sargent said that the fight for freedom is ongoing.

"It is our responsibilities to ensure that those who continue to serve are supported and cared for," he said. "This means advocating for their rights, ensuring they have access to health care, education, and employment opportunities, and providing a network of support as they transition back to civilian life."

Sargent shared his own story of how he came to enlist in the Marine Corps. At 18 years old in 1998, he and his best friend were attending a math class at Daytona State College. The classroom was full; it was standing-room only, Sargent said.

They decided to do something different, choosing to enlist instead. 

While serving, Sargent lost a roommate to suicide.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans a day died by suicide in 2022. 

Sargent told veterans in the audience that they weren't alone.

"No matter how heavy things get, your life has meaning," he said. "It has purpose beyond what you can see in this moment. The pain you are feeling is real, but it can get better and you deserve to see better days."

OMAM has been honoring veterans since it was built in 1946. Shortly after World War II, artist Malcom Fraser offered a collection of his life's work to any city along the east coast of the state who would build an art museum in honor of veterans. Ormond Beach residents took him up on his offer, and WWII veterans helped with construction.

And for the past almost 80 years, the museum has celebrated veterans.

"We get to fulfill one of our pillars of our mission on Veterans Day each year and that's honoring those who have fought for our freedom," OMAM Board President Allison Miller said.

Mayor Jason Leslie also spoke during the event, saying that Veterans Day is a reminder that freedom has a cost.

"Let us remember that our gratitude should never be limited to just one day," he said. "We owe our veterans our continued respect, care, and commitment throughout the year."

On behalf of the Volusia County Veterans Council and the Military Officers Association of America Halifax Chapter, Leslie presented Sargent with a leadership award, as well as challenge coin.

Behind every uniform is a story, Sargent said.

"A story of commitment, sacrifice, resilience," Sargent said. "These individuals have faced challenges that most cannot even begin to imagine. They have endured hardships separated from their families for long periods of time and faced danger in the name of our country. Their bravery is a testament to the character, of their commitment to the ideals we hold dear."

 

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