This is a program Cat Country has been proud to take part in w WEAR-TV and Gulf Power every year.
In 1979, WEAR-TV began the Communities Caring at Christmas program. It was the stations effort to share the true meaning of the holiday with those who are less fortunate. The program has evolved over the years to address the changing needs in our communities. Currently, Communities Caring provides new toys, clothing and daily living needs for abused, neglected or abandoned children living in foster care, children living in poverty and adults with developmental disabilities in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Communities Caring At Christmas is solely a volunteer effort. Leading the way are our corporate sponsor, Sandy Sansing Dealerships and the employees of Gulf Power Company. Hundreds of willing hands and open hearts provide the donations and manpower to make this program what it is. In 2013, through the generosity of compassionate individuals, organizations, churches and schools, we were able to share the joy of Christmas with almost 7,000 of our neighbors.
This year looks to be especially challenging as we try to meet the needs of a growing number of children coming into foster care and families in financial crisis. Were asking you to please help us continue the tradition of caring through your donation of cash, new toys or clothing. Your gifts can me brought or mailed to:
Communities Caring At Christmas
c/o WEAR-TV
4990 Mobile Highway
Pensacola, FL 32506
Thank you for your consideration and for sharing in the true meaning and spirit of the season.
Let’s start something cool… #SayThePledge Post a video of you saying the Pledge of Allegiance on Instragram, Twitter, and Facebook with the hashtag “SayThePledge”
Annual event celebrates the life of Pfc. Rosamond Johnson, who was killed in the Korean Conflict at the age of 17 while attempting to save the lives of three fellow soldiers
PERDIDO KEY, FLA. (April 17, 2015) — Pfc. Rosamond Johnson Jr. was only 15 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. At 17, he saved two lives before losing his own life in the Korean War. Johnson, a light weapons infantryman from Escambia County in Florida, had already pulled two wounded fellow soldiers out of the line of enemy fire, and was returning to save a third, when he was fatally wounded at the 38th Parallel, which separated North Korea and South Korea. He was the first African-American soldier from the Pensacola Bay Area to be killed in the war, and is renowned for his heroic sacrifice.
Rosamond Johnson Day will be celebrated Saturday, May 2, at his namesake, Rosamond Johnson Beach, on the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Perdido Key. Tributes to Johnson will begin at 10 a.m. at the Star Pavilion as community leaders, pastors and Johnson’s family members will speak about his life and his valiant heroism. The public event, held annually on the first Saturday in May, will conclude at about 1 p.m. Park fees will be waived for those attending.
“It is so critical for young people to know the history surrounding where they grew up and to feel like they have a foundation, especially for a place that is known more for beach balls and fun and sand,” said Alison Davenport, who was instrumental in setting up the official celebration and making it an annual event.
Davenport is the former chair of the Perdido Key Chamber and Visitor Center board of directors, and her daughter grew up playing on Rosamond Johnson Beach. She said young people and others need to know the history of the beach and the significance of the young man it was named for.
“Those who come will be moved,” Davenport said. “They’ll leave with the recognition of commitment at a very early age…. To me, it’s about learning your roots and holding on to the meaningful parts, the beautiful parts, of our history.”
Johnson was killed on July 26, 1950, two years to the day after President Truman issued an executive order banning racial discrimination in the U.S. armed forces. Johnson had enlisted in the Army around the time of the executive order. He was awarded the Purple Heart on Aug. 21, 1950.
The Korean War took place during the era of segregation in the United States, at a time when beaches along Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key were segregated. What is now known as Rosamond Johnson Beach was one of the few beaches in the area that were open to African-Americans during segregation.
After the Korean War, the county-owned beach recreation area was named after Johnson, at the suggestion of the Sunset Riding Club, which leased the land for the use of bathing, beach and recreational facilities for “colored citizens.” The lease ended in 1956, but the name Rosamond Johnson Beach stayed, to honor Johnson’s life, heroism and valiant sacrifice for his country. The beach became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in 1973.
A monument honoring Johnson was erected at Rosamond Johnson Beach in 1996. The memorial stone reads: “He stands in the unspoken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings.”
Rosamond Johnson’s mother still resides on Belmont Street in Pensacola. She and Rosamond’s brother and sister and other family members attend Rosamond Johnson Day every year to honor his memory and legacy. “It’s a beautiful event … one which few people leave dry-eyed,” Davenport said.
Pensacola, called the City of Five Flags because it has been under the rule of Spain, France, Britain, the Confederacy and the United States, has a strong multicultural heritage. Visit Pensacola, the tourism agency for Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, recently published a multicultural brochure focusing on the cultural heritage, places of interest and events in the Pensacola Bay Area. The brochure is online athttp://www.visitperdido.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150130_2015-MC-Guide.pdf.
@catcountry987#lovetweetscc987 Love hubby for going above and beyond what if takes to be EVERYTHING WE need I LOVE Larry Dubrock♡♡♡ — Denise Dubrock (@freak4traceadk1) January 30, 2015
The symbolism of Christmas is likely in the room with you. As you look around you will find items that point to Christ the Savior Born on Christmas Day.
The star on the top of the Tree represents the Star of David, guiding Wise-men, Shepherds, and even the animals of the fields to worship Jesus. Just as you have traveled to be here tonight, when you look at the Star on the top of this tree remember the Wisemen who traveled nearly three years to see the Christ Child, because of a Star as a beacon of greatness given to man.
The lights of the Tree represent the night sky that the Shepherds saw while they where watching their flocks. That night it was cold and clear and in the twinkling lights of the tree you should be reminded of the sky that would be filled with a “multitude of heavenly hosts” represented by the ornaments. The significance of the Angels in the tree is important.
The Tree itself should serve as a reminder of the wood and pine bows that made up the stable where Jesus was born. The manger was not a bed, but rather it was a stable… barely a shelter for animals. Jesus was born a VERY common man.
Then of course there are presents under the Tree. These presents represent the finest gifts the travelers from a far brought to give the baby Jesus. Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh were very valuable. They were the finest things the travelers had to offer. Remember they were given to a baby in a wooden manger. The finest gifts in the land were given to a child born, not a palace, not in a home, but in a barn. The wisemen are called wisemen because of the divine wisdom that miraculously guided them over a thousand miles. He was no ordinary Child. Each of these gifts are celebration of giving the very best to those that we care about. A gift in the spirit of Christmas is given to represent the “finest” things we have to offer.
That we are gathered here tonight symbolizes the night that Christ was born. The symbols of the Wisemen and the Shepherds are represented in our house tonight by our guests. Our family represents the inn keeper who offered the only room he had to give to Joseph and Mary. It is the fulfillment of the representation of Christmas that families gather on this night. It is the celebration of Christ’s 2045th birthday. Whereever you are on Christmas you represent someone who was present that night in Bethlehem. Even our animals gather in the presence of Christ tonight.
Tonight, Christ is represented by the Bible placed before you. It is the literal representation of the word of God. Jesus who was born on this day would change the world over the next 33 years of his life. In the Holy Bible, you will find the words in red that are the commands, counseling, and love that he gave the world, that has endured for more than 2000 years. This is what the Celebration of Christmas is. It is what I want it to be for my family. When you look around the room tonight and in the years to come. See the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate.
It was truly the most exhilarating ride of my life. It gave me an appreciation for the training and precision flying that America’s Navy Fighter Pilots are capable of. The Blue Angels inspire people all over America to aspire to be a Navy or Marine Pilot. Maj. Miller took me up in #7 several years back… but I’ve never forgotten the experience and in 45 minutes came to understand that these are some of the best pilots America has to offer.
As read by Maddie and Tae – 
