FLEMING ISLAND – In a fitting salute to heroic veterans of Seagrass Village, the community gathered for a ceremony sponsored by Home Instead and Haven Hospice on the eve of Veterans Day.

Orange Park High Chorus sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” and the Fleming Island High NJROTC presented the patriotic colors. Then, Robin McKenzie, a retired Navy Nurse Corps captain who served for 30 years, introduced the assisted living facility's 27 veterans.

Pins and certificates of appreciation from Haven Hospice were distributed to each veteran, with Heidi Forsythe, Professional Liaison, reading each name. The Black Creek Young Marines then delivered each certificate with precise, military-style execution.

The Young Marines then paid a special tribute to Col. William "Bill" Sweeney, as the day was also his birthday. This two-time Purple Heart recipient joined the Marines when he was 16.

"This is not a coincidence. He is very (blessed) to have his birthday on the same day (Nov. 10) as the Marine Corps," said Mindy Wood, Executive Officer with the Black Creek Young Marines.

Sweeney began his stint in 1952 as a private and retired in 1987, including the Korean and Vietnam wars. Sweeney only retired from the service for two reasons, he said: his wife’s advice and the prospect of another war.

"I thought the (event) was wonderful. Whoever put it together, they did a good job," Sweeney said.

Sweeney still fondly talks about being a Marine.

"I loved leading my Marines. They were good warriors and great human beings. They did their job, and they paid the price," he said.

Sweeney earned both Purple Hearts within a year apart from 1968. His first came from him jumping on a fellow soldier to extinguish a fire that was ignited by a booby trap. He was transported to a hospital in San Diego for his injuries. When he returned to Vietnam, a bullet blasted through his hand during hand-to-hand combat against a North Vietnamese soldier.