GALA NEWS AND FAMILY REPORT

the Gala Foundation announced today that many of the initiatives of the late Francisco Serrano will remain in full force and are currently being reviewed for a gradual implementation. Francisco Serrano had a true vision for Radio Broadcasting. he left thousands of recordings and unpublished writings that are now being carefully reviewed , preserved and cataloged. He left several suggestions that are presently being read and filed. Francisco Serrano spear-headed the Missions Movement of the Foundation . He donated alot of revenue for this cause and this was implemented after the passing of fellow Gala Board Member, Felicita M. Serrano. Felicita had a love and passion for the Missions.

Francisco Serrano is now with the Lord and his life here on earth ended on April 8, 2009 but his legacy , his vision and his story will live on to inspire and motivate future generations so that they will never forget about Honor! Francisco honored God, He honored his country and he honored humanity.

FRANCISCO; A MOMENT IN TIME

A POEM FOR PANCHITO

The following poem was read in the Military Grave Site Ceremonies at Bay Pines National Cemetery. It was dedicated to the memory of TEC 5 Francisco Serrano.

"He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.


And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Panchito has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a Veteran died today.


He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a Veteran died today.


When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a Veteran goes unnoticed and unsung.


Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?


A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Veteran, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.


It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago, that our Francisco's, our Bob's, our Joanne's went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.


Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?


Francisco was just a common Veteran and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.


If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a Veteran died today."

REMEMBERING FRANCISCO SERRANO

Condolences

Mr. Serrano was my father-in-law many years ago and I remember him as one of the nicest men I've had the pleasure of nowing and was sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Kim
Posted by: Kimberly Shatraw Land O Lakes, FL April 21, 2009

Yo soy sonia Cruz Serrano, hija de Angelita Serrano, hermana de Tio Panchito. Por este medio les envio mi condolencia a la Familia. Perdonen no pude estar presente, pues estoy recidiendo en Puerto Rico. Estuve informada siempre por mami. Recuerdo a Tio siempre pues cuando me case el me entrego en la iglesia, pues mi padre habia muerto, esto fue en el ano l971. Visite a Tio y Maria en el 2002 en Tampa y tengo fotos, despues de muchos anos sin verle lo encontre tan joven, feliz y me recibio con mucho carino, igual Maria. Siempre le recordare con Amor pues cuando nos mudamos a new York nos trato muy bien. Dios les de mucho consuelo a Uds. Y Que Tio Descanse en paz con nuestro senor JesuCristo. Les pido no se olviden que tienen una prima aca en P.R. y se pueden comunicar conmigo. Espero verles algun dia. Hoy dia les envio un carinoso y triste abrazo por la partida de nuestro Querido Panchito. Que descanse en paz. Muy Triste con esta noticia, les saluda tu prima Sonia Cruz Serrano.
Posted by: Sonia Bonaparte Castaner, Lares, PR April 20, 2009

I grew up all my life going to see grandpa and he always had the best stories..as I grew older I realized he told the same ones over and over but they remained funny and amuzing. He was always saying we were supposed to be rich b/c he was a serrayes but the stork got tired and dropped him off at the serrano residence. I miss him sooo much but Im thankful for all the things he tought me and great memories that include he and I.
Posted by: Jackie Serrano bacso philadelphia, PA April 19, 2009

Francisco Serrano's Legacy will remain intact and will continue to inspire new generations of what a True father should resemble. He was a wonderful Father and I will always value the memories and the Man that is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord

Noel Serrano Tampa, FL April 14, 2009

To Maria and the Family of Francisco May The Lord God comfort you in your grief, and give you peace as well as strength. May you know His love and grow closer to Him. Lucy
Posted by: Lucy B Tampa, FL April 10, 2009

FRANCISCO AND FRIENDS

THE FOLDING OF THE FLAG

FRANCISCO RECEIVES MILITARY SEND OFF

MILITARY TRIBUTE TO FRANCISCO SERRANO

Francisco Serrano was added to the gallery of the many Legions of Veterans that have been honored by their Country and the Armed Forces for their Service to the Nation that they protected. Here are some highlights of the ceremonies at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Pinellas Park, FL. We have also enclosed a brief history of past Military Honors and its origin as a fitting tribute to Francisco Serrano. In the summer of 1862, George F. Root was putting the finishing touches on the words and music of the "Battle Cry of Freedom" that would be adopted as a national anthem (in different versions) by both the Union and the Confederacy. It was the second summer of a terrible war that few had believed would last more than several months. Thousands had already died at places like Wilson's Creek, Bull Run, Shiloh, and Fort Donelson.
On July 17 of that year, Congress enacted legislation that authorized the President to purchase "cemetery grounds" to be used as national cemeteries "for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country." Fourteen cemeteries were established that first year, including one in the sleepy Maryland town of Sharpsburg where 4,476 Union soldiers were laid to rest after the one day of terrible slaughter that was the Battle of Antietam. (By way of comparison, approximately 3,000 Americans, British and Canadians died on June 6, 1944, in the invasion of Normandy).
By 1870, the remains of nearly 300,000 Union dead had been buried in 73 national cemeteries. Most of the cemeteries were located in the southeast, near the battlefields and campgrounds of the Civil War. After the war, Army crews scoured the countryside to locate the remains of soldiers who had died in battle. They were buried with honor in the new national cemeteries, which were enclosed by brick walls and entered by means of ornate gates. Tragically, however, the identities of nearly half of those who died in service to the Union and are buried in national cemeteries are unknown.
The National Cemetery Administration has evolved slowly since the initial period of great challenge associated with the Civil War. All honorably discharged veterans became eligible for burial in 1873. Cemeteries associated with military posts on the western frontier, such as Fort McPherson, Nebraska, were added to the system in the late 19th century.
In the 1930s, new national cemeteries were established to serve veterans living in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Baltimore, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Antonio. Several, closely associated with battlefields such as Gettysburg, were transferred to the National Park Service because of their value in interpreting the historical significance of the battles. In 1973, Public Law 93-43 authorized the transfer of 82 national cemeteries from the Department of the Army to the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Joining with 21 VA veterans cemeteries located at hospitals and nursing homes, the National Cemetery System comprised 103 cemeteries after the transfer.
On November 11, 1998, the President signed the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 changing the name of the National Cemetery System (NCS) to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
Today, there are 141 national cemeteries in all. VA, through its National Cemetery Administration, administers 125 of them. Two national Cemeteries—Arlington and Soldiers Home—are still administered by the Army. Fourteen national cemeteries are maintained by the Department of the Interior.
More than 3 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict—from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War—are honored by burial in VA's national cemeteries. Approximately 17,000 acres of land from Hawaii to Maine, and from Alaska to Puerto Rico are devoted to the memorialization of those who served this nation. More than 300 recipients of the Medal of Honor are buried in VA's national cemeteries.
In April 2007, VA opened its 125Th cemetery—South Florida VA National Cemetery. Currently 65 VA cemeteries (in 34 states) are able to provide the full range of service to America's veterans and their families. An additional 21 provide burial for family members already buried and they can also bury cremated remains.
In 1999 and 2003, with the passage of two laws, Congress directed VA to establish 12 new national cemeteries. One has been opened in Oklahoma, one in Pennsylvania, one in Michigan, one in Georgia, one in California, and one in Florida. The rest – one in Alabama, one in California, two in Florida, one in Pennsylvania and one in South Carolina – will be located near large populations of veterans who currently do not have access to a burial option.
In addition to providing a grave site and a grave liner, VA opens and closes the grave, provides a headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, a U.S. Flag, and perpetually cares for the grave at no cost to the veteran's family.
Today, more than 24 million veterans and Reservists and National Guard members with 20 years qualifying service (who are entitled to retired pay or would be entitled, if at least 60 years of age), have earned the honor of burial in a national cemetery. Veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Those who die on active duty may also be buried in a national cemetery. Francisco Serrano is now buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery along with his beloved wife Felicita M. Serrano and their youngest son Wilson Serrano. There will be no more family members buried at this site. This will be a very special place for the Serrano family. We all know that they now rest in the Arms of the Almighty, but this burial site has always been a place to reflect and honor their memory. Now, even more so with the final resting place of Francisco Serrano. We will never forget them and we will always Honor them.

SOLDIERS FINAL SALUTE

NOEL HONORS HIS DAD AT FUNERAL

LOSING A LOVED ONE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WE CAN GO THROUGH.
NO WORDS CAN ADEQUATELY EXPRESS THE STRONG EMOTION, THE LOVE AND THE GREAT APPRECIATION THAT WE ALL HAVE FOR THE MAN WHOM WE HONOR AND SEND HIM TO HIS REST TODAY..
MY FATHER, FRANCISCO SERRANO WAS BORN IN PONCE, PUERTO RICO ON DECEMBER 17, 1919. HE WAS THE PRODUCT OF A LARGE AND CLOSE KNIT FAMILY. HE WAS A MAN THAT SEEMED TO HAVE DISCOVERED "THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH" THE MANY YEARS OF TOIL AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WAS NEVER REVEALED ON HIS GLOWING COUNTENANCE. THERE ARE MANY WHO BEAR THE SCARS OF A LONG AND CRUEL LIFE, EVEN AT AN EARLY AGE, BUT PANCHITO, AS HE WAS AFFECTIONATELY CALLED BY HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BORE NO SEMBLANCE OF A LONG AND TWILIGHT STRUGGLE, FOR GOD BLESSED HIM WITH A LONG AND ACTIVE LIFE. IN THE MIDST OF CRISES , CHURCH STRUGGLES, AND FAMILY TRAGEDIES. FRANCISCO SERRANO WAS A VERY FRIENDLY AND OUTGOING MAN . HE EMBRACED LIFE TO THE FULLEST , EVEN IN THE MIDST OF HIS FINAL MOMENTS.
MY DAD HAD A RICH HISTORY OF CELEBRATED ANTICS IN HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD THAT REVEALED A VERY HAPPY PERSONALITY THAT EMERGED FROM A HUMBLE UPBRINGING.. HE WAS ADMIRED BY HIS YOUNGER SISTERS WHO EMULATED HIM FROM HIS VERY YOUTH.
DAD WOULD ALWAYS TELL US THE STORY OF THE TIME WHEN HE WAS AT HIS GRANDPARENT'S FARM, WHEN HE ONCE GAZED UP AT THE HEAVENS AND SAW THE LARGE BIRDS FLYING HIGH ABOVE THE MOUNTAINS OF ADJUNTAS. HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF "I WONDER IF I COULD TEACH THESE LITTLE BABY PIGS TO FLY HIGH LIKE THOSE BIRDS " MY FATHER, AS A CHUBBY, LITTLE KID WADDLED TO THE NEARBY BARN AND TOOK THE LITTLE PIGS AND STARTED TO THROW THEM UP IN THE AIR. FRANCISCO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS YOUNGER SISTER MINA, WHO SMILED IN CURIOUS GLEE, AS SHE SAW HER BROTHER ATTEMPTING TO GIVE THESE LITTLE PIGS, FLYING LESSONS. THESE POOR LITTLE PIGS WOULD SWOOP UP AND SPLASH ON THE SOFT GRASS. DAD'S GRANDFATHER CAME TO THE FIELD IN THE EVENING HOURS AND FOUND HIS LITTLE PIGLETS SPLATTERED THROUGHOUT. UNDERSTANDABLY,SOME OF THE PIGS WERE NOT FEELING SO WELL. THE GRANDFATHER CRIED OUT,"WHAT HAPPENED HERE"! "WHO DID THIS? LITTLE MINA CAME RUNNING TO HER GRANDFATHER AND DECLARED..…”.PANO, PANO, VOLLA, VOLLA" MY FATHER ALWAYS RECALLED THIS MOMENT WITH A HEARTY LAUGH, THAT WAS IN HIS NATURE. OUR FAMILY ALWAYS ADMIRED HIS WIT, HIS CHARM AND HIS ENDLESS STORIES OF HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD.. FRANCISCO SERRANO ALWAYS ATTEMPTED TO LIVE HIS LIFE FREE FROM ANXIETY OR STRESS. HE HAD BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH IN HIS LONG AND OFTEN TRAGIC LIFE. HE HAD WITNESSED AND SURVIVED SEVERAL PASSINGS WITHIN HIS LARGE FAMILY. GOD BLESSED OUR BELOVED FATHER WITH LONGEVITY OF LIFE. HE LIVED A STEADFAST AND FAITHFUL LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. FRANCISCO SERRANO WAS TAUGHT TO HONOR HIS FATHER AND MOTHER. WHEN HIS DAD DIED YOUNG , HE TOOK CARE OF HIS MOTHER AND YOUNGER BROTHERS AND SISTERS. FRANCISCO SERVED IN THE US ARMY DURING WWII AND RECORDS REVEAL THAT HE SENT HIS MILITARY PAY TO HIS MOTHER.
HE WAS THE PROFOUND PRODUCT AND EXAMPLE OF THE "OLD GUARD" AND A MEMBER OF THIS NATION'S GREATEST GENERATION.
GOD BLESSES AN INDIVIDUAL THAT THINKS OF OTHERS BEFORE ONESELF. GOD GIVES PROLONGED LIFE TO THOSE THAT HONOR THEIR FATHER AND MOTHER. THIS IS A TRUE COMMANDMENT OF GOD WITH A VIVID PROMISE. GOD ALLOWED FRANCISCO TO OUTLIVE ALL THOSE WHO OVERSHADOWED HIS MEEK AND HUMBLE PERSONA, BUT BEHIND THE FRIENDLY,COUNTRY LOVING, SILVER-HAIRED, CHERRY-FACED EXTERIOR, WAS A MAN THAT TRULY LOVED THE LORD WITH ALL OF HIS HEART, MIND AND SPIRIT. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY WITH EVERY BREATH.THIS WAS A FATHER THAT LABOURED ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY TO PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY. HE STILL TOOK THE TIME TO BUILD US GO- GO CARTS IN THE SUMMER. HE TOOK US TO THE BEACHES. HE MADE THE TIME TO TAKE HIS WIFE TO TEACH HER BIBLE CLASS, HE TOOK US TO BEAR MOUNTAIN, HE TOOK TIME TO EMBRACE US, TO LOVE US, FOR WE WERE HIS TREASURE. MY FATHER WOULD WAKE UP EVERY MORNING AND KNELT BEFORE THE LORD TO INTERCEDE FOR HIS FAMILY. HE BEGAN PRAYING IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, THANKING THE ALMIGHTY FOR ANOTHER DAY OF VICTORY. THE EVENING HOURS WOULD FIND FRANCISCO, ONCE AGAIN , ON HIS KNEES PRAYING OUT LOUD FOR HIS FAMILY, FOR THAT WAS HIS CUSTOM.
I WANT TO SAY TO MY BELOVED FATHER, DAD,YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU. YOU WERE AN OUTSTANDING FATHER. I AM SO PROUD TO BE YOUR SON.I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MARIA AND I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR THE MANY YEARS THAT WE SHARED WITH YOU, FOR THE EXPERIENCE, THE HONOR AND HIGH PRIVILEGE OF CARING FOR AND SERVING YOU DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WE SHARED PRECIOUS MOMENTS TOGETHER AND OUR LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOU BURNS DEEP WITHIN OUR HEARTS. OUR TRUE COMFORT , AT THIS HOUR, IS IN THE REALIZATION THAT YOU FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, THAT YOU NOW GO TO A BETTER RESTING PLACE AND THAT WE WILL SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN ON THAT GREAT MORNING AND WE WILL ALL REJOICE AND SING THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED. WE WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN.

JOAQUIN MALDONADO ADDRESSES THE FAMILY

FULL MILITARY HONORS ARE UNDERWAY FOR PANCHITO

Francisco Serrano, the beloved Serrano Patriarch will be receiving Full Military Honors on Monday and Tuesday. His closed casket will be flag-draped and laid out on Monday at Garden of Memories in Tampa. Visitations for family and friends will begin at 5:00 PM Funeral Services will begin at 7:00 PM. Pastor JD Simmons will be the Leading Minister at the Service. The Funeral Services will conclude at 9:00 PM

The Burial Services will be held on Tues at 12:30 PM sharp. all family and friends must be there thirty minutes early. Burial Services will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Pinellas Park,FL Francisco Serrano will be buried next to his wife Felicita M. Serrano.

During a typical military funeral service, the Honor Guard will consist of at least one member from the branch of service in which the deceased had served. Francisco will have a closed casket, the flag will be draped over it, which will then be folded and given to a family member either during or after the service. The blue field of the flag will be placed at the head of the casket.
Taps will be played either by a bugler and a three-volley salute, sometimes referred to as a twenty one gun salute, will be held by a firing squad. In some cases, the casings from this salute will be retrieved and given to the family, either by hand or by being placed within the folded flag. It is common to see the presence of a horse-drawn carriage at a military funeral. Depending on the branch of service in which the departed had served, additional elements may be used.
With all military funeral and memorial services, a Presidential Memorial Certificate is made available at the appropriate time.

IN MEMORY OF A GREAT FATHER

FRANCISCO SERRANO
1919-2009

Francisco Serrano, age 89, died on April 8, 2009 at Kindred Care Central Hospital . He was born Dec 17th, 1919 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to the late Geronimo and Felicita Serrano. He attended Betancia Grade School and graduated from Robert Lewis Stevenson School in 1951. He also graduated from the Latin American Bible Institute in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed at Ft. Clayton AFB in Panama. He attained the rank of Tech 5. On May 10, 1946, he was united in marriage to Felicita Maldonado in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

In 1946, Francisco and Felicita moved to New York City and he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. He purchased his first home in 1961 in Queens, New York. In 1976, He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and moved his large family to Tampa, Florida where he purchased a new home in 1977.
Francisco Serrano was a member of Riverhills Church of God and was a retired minister for the Church of God: Mission Board, where he served three terms as an Associate pastor for a Member church at Hubert Ave in Tampa, Florida. He was a member of the Latin American church of God “La Sinagoga” serving as Church secretary in 1960-63. He served on the board of directors for the Men’s Society, as a volunteer for Mission Board fund raising projects and as a “Meals on wheels” volunteer for many years. He was a member of the Foresters’ Lodge and the Gala Foundation. He was also a Radio Program Host of a local show entitled: “Men of God”.
Francisco Serrano is survived by his son and daughter in law, Noel and Maria; his daughters Gladys, Frances and Norma. Additional sons; Daniel, Irving and Abel. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Mayito and three sisters; Herminia,Mirta and Anhelita.