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Learn About Our Heroes

The City of Margate joins the families, friends and loved ones of the military personnel below in honoring our heroes:

Edward Bartberger, Veteran, U.S. Army Sergeant Major Edward Albert Bartberger served the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged in March 1983.	Vincent Cerchione, In Memoriam, U.S. Army • 3rd Armored Division, Machine Gunner • Private First Class • World War II • Awarded the Bronze Star, Machine Gun Expert, Rifle Marksman, and Good Conduct medals • Served from 1941-1945 in Belgium, France and the European Theatre

Sgt. Charles E. Dillard, Veteran, U.S. Air Force • Served: 1966-1970 • Fought in the Vietnam War • Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal	Anias J. Ellison, Active Duty, U.S Navy Airman Ellison graduated from Coral Springs High School and enlisted into the worlds finest Navy in August 2019, as an Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handler). Airman Ellison completed boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (RTC Great Lakes), Chicago, Illinois in October 2019. Upon completion, Airman Ellison went to a Class "A" technical School in Pensacola FL, to learn basic aviation theories and the required skills to prepare him for success. Currently, Airman Ellison is stationed aboard an Aircraft Carrier on the west coast applying those learned skill sets, in his current job. Airman Ellison is looking forward to his first deployment in 2021.

Anthony Finno, Veteran, U.S. Army • Army 82nd Airborne • Vietnam Era	James Carl Frederick, U.S. Army Rank: Sergeant First Class James Carl Frederick was believed to be the first resident of Margate to die in the Vietnam conflict. He only served two months before losing his life in war. He was 26 years old. The Frederick family donated a building to the American Legion for all Margate Veteran residents.

John D. John, Active Duty, U.S. Navy John D. John is the Commanding Officer of the USS Ross, deployed to Rota, Spain. During his 19 year Naval career, he has been deployed seven times around the world and has served in various assignments including in Iraq as the First Company Commander and at the Pentagon for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.	Kisha Major, Veteran, U.S. Navy • Rate: Yoman / Rank: Petty Officer 3rd Class • Ship: USS Blueridge • Places Stationed: Truman Annex, Point Loma and Boca Chica • Duty/Assignment: Secretary to the Admiral • In her 15 years in the Navy she visited 45 countries. Her favorite was Malaysia.

Tiffany Purcell, Veteran, U.S. Army Tiffany enlisted in the Army in 2006 and served until 2010 as an Intelligence Analyst. She completed Basic Training in Ft. Leonardwood, MO and Advanced Individual Training in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. She also completed training in Ft. Polk, LA. While she served, Tiffany was stationed in Ft. Drum, NY with 1BCT/10TH MTN DIV. She deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in 2007-2008. In 2010, after Tiffany was honorably discharged she used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to go to college and finish her degree. Tiffany graduated in 2012 with her BA degree in Criminal Justice.	Honoree Carlos J. Savoca, Active Duty, U.S. Marines Stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA Deployed to US borders in 2019 Deploying this year in November 2020

Vito Speziale, Veteran, U.S. Navy	Joe Varsallone, Veteran, U.S. Marines Korean War Veteran Purple Heart recipient -1950 to 1954

Command Sergeant Major Luis Manuel Vila, Veteran, U.S. Army Commander Sergeant Major Vila was born in Habana, Cuba, raised in the Bronx, New York and entered the US Army 31 August 1976 at Fort Hamilton, New York. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Volunteer Service Medal, Armed forces Reserve Medal “M” Device Silver Hourglass, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Drivers Badge, Parachutist Badge, Sapper Tab, New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, Bronze deFleury Medal. His extensive biography is impressive. Please click here to read about his assignments, duties and service to our Country. CSM Vila is married to the former Teresa Sidman from Framingham, MA they have two children Tatiana and Tyler. CSM has two other children Anna and Luis Jr. along with four grandchildren.	Tyler Vila, Active Duty, U.S. Army Tyler graduated from Taravella High School. He enlisted in the Army in 2015 and was stationed in Fort Leonardwood for Basic Training. He graduated with certification as a Military Police and is currently stationed with the 810^th MP unit. He was deployed in support of Operation Ensuring Freedom to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay Cuba from 2017-2018. He currently holds the rank as Specialist. He was been awarded the following medals: Army Achievement Medal Armed Forces Reserve Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Reserve Achievement Medal Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon

Anthony Wheatley, Veteran, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Anthony Wheatley better known as Tony joined the US Army on 11 July 1984; he was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served 22 years in the United States Army Signal Corp and retired 1 August 2006 as a Telecommunications Chief. Sergeant First Class Anthony Wheatley, served in various positions from Team Leader, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Operations Sergeant and First Sergeant. His overseas assignments include Germany, Greece, Panama, and Korea. He participated in humanitarian missions “Provide Comfort” and “Operation Safe Haven”. His combat tours include “Desert Shield/Desert Storm” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Order of Mercury from the United States Signal Corp., US Army Parachuters Badge, Qatar Parachuters Badge, Korean Parachuters Badge, Saudi Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7), Airforce Combat Readiness Medal, Oversees Service Ribbon (5), NCOPD Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Korean National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, South West Asian Service Medal with Bronze Service Stars (3), National Defense Service Medal (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3), Army Achievement Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (4), Joint Service Commendation Medal (3), Meritorious Service Medal (2). Sergeant First Class Anthony Wheatley is married to Loretta Wheatley; they have four children and reside in Margate, FL.	Edward Frank Wozniak, Active Duty, U.S. Air Force 11 years of service Served at Warner Robins AFB, GA; McDill AFB, FL; and now serving at Beale AFB, CA Currently deployed in Kuwait Proud husband of Catherine and dad to Mason (5) and Miles (2)

To honor an unsung hero with a Military Banner, please click here for more information about the Program.