On this episode of OECC, our co-host Martha Laguardia Kotite interviews Christofer Curtis, a local Wounded Warrior airman stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, about his tragic combat related injury, his road to recovery and to fly again, and about the support from family, friends and veteran related organizations such at the Fisher house.
Produced in the Emerald Coast TV Studios at the Landmark Center in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This episode aired on Cox Cable Ch6 in May 2019.
-
Niceville Police “K9 Officer Blue” Memorial Service – August 26, 2022
Watch the HD Replay of the “End of Watch” ceremony for K9 Officer Blue, scheduled for August 26, 2022 at the Northwest Florida State College’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center at 10am CST.
Northwest Florida State College
Mattie Kelly Arts Center
100 E College Blvd, Building 100
Niceville, FL 32578 -
USAF 75th Community Celebration – “The Story Behind the Story” – Eglin AFB & Hurlburt Field
Check out “The Story Behind the Story” event video for the 75th USAF Anniversary Community Celebration, which took place on September 13, 2022 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida. This event celebrates the USAF military operations that were supported by both Eglin Air Force base and the Special Operations units of Hurlburt Field. Hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, this event provides two panels of service men & women who participated in several notable USAF operations, including operations in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Obama Bin Laden Raid.
* Chapter points can easily be selected by watching this video directly on YouTube
00:00 Opening Video – USAF Aircraft Fly-bys
02:09 Official Welcome – Ted Corcoran
02:45 Posting of the Colors
03:33 National Anthem
05:35 Invocation
06:58 Event Overview
08:34 Introduction of Dale Dye
10:43 Dale Dye Movie Compilation Video
13:56 Eglin AFB Background History
14:51 Dr Devin Stephenson Introduction
17:35 Florida Representative Patt Maney Introduction
21:44 Recognition Distinguished Guests
23:01 JCOS Senior Enlisted Advisor Ramon Colon-Lopez Introduction
25:32 Recognition of Notable Local Veterans
26:57 Ted Introduces 1st Panel
30:13 Cindy Cole Chal (Doolittle Raiders)
48:29 Dale Dye Stories (Korean War)
1:13:05 Col Howard Hill (Vietnam War)
1:24:54 Col Larry Ropka (Sun Tay Raid)
1:38:17 Col Bill Keeler (Vietnam Refugees)
1:47:34 Sponsors Recognition & Jerry Williams EFCU
1:51:54 Introduction of 2nd Panel of Speakers
1:52:36 CMSgt Bill Walter – Operation Eagle Claw (Iran Hostage Rescue)
2:00:42 Lt Col Kirby Locklear – Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
2:08:35 Lt Col Corby Martin – Operation Desert Storm (Iraq)
2:19:06 Lt Col Allison Black – Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
2:27:24 The “MOAB” Story (Bill Walter)
2:29:05 Task Force Dagger & ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Event
2:30:49 Lt Gen Marshal “Brad” Webb – (Bin Laden Raid)
2:41:33 The Voices of NWFSC – America the Beautiful
2:47:02 The Air Force Song Sing-AlongEMCEE
– Ted Corcoran, CEO – Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of CommerceSPONSORS
– Eglin Federal Credit Union
– The Boeing Company
– Northwest Florida State College
– Fort Walton Beach Chamber of CommerceTHANKS TO
– Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Staff: Seth Luttrell, Rachelle Graves, Dayna Stinebiser, Chrissy Flanigan, Debbie Dodge
– Mattie Kelly Arts Center Staff and Volunteers
– The Voices of Northwest Florida State College
– Air Force Public Affairs/Historians: Dawn Hart, Amy Nicholson, Shelby Pritchett, Jasmine Porterfield, Alan LandersSCRIPT
– Bill WaltersLODGINGS
– The Island Resort;
– Holiday Inn Resort-Fort Walton Beach
– Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton BeachPROMOTION
– Frances Roy AgencyVIDEO PRODUCTION
– RJ Murdock, Emerald Coast TV -
Making Connections – Opportunity Place Inc.
This show contains a great interview with Debra McDaniel and Lee Wetzell of Opportunity Place Inc. A women’s and children’s homeless shelter in Fort Walton Beach and information about the IMAX presentation of “Cuba” at the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee, as well as some great upcoming events in the Fort Walton Beach area!
