The Mayflower Honors Those Who Served

On Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who rose to the call of duty to serve our nation in war and peacetime – and we recognize the continued impact they have on their community as they lead with integrity, courage and humility.

One standout example of that impact is The Mayflower’s Military Observance Board, a resident-led organization that commemorates meaningful occasions and organizes events “by veterans, for veterans” throughout the year.

Among the leading Board members is Doug Metcalf, a retired Major General of the U.S. Air Force, who spent 37 years in the service and has been an outspoken advocate for veterans as a leading member of the Central Florida community. After moving to The Mayflower in 2023, he struck up a conversation with a fellow veteran about the possibility of planning more veteran-focused events in the community.

“We put something together for Veterans Day of 2023, and organized the whole thing in probably 10 days,” recalls Maj. Gen. Metcalf. “Now we do events for both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and we have about 50 or 60 veterans among the residents who enjoy participating each year.”

As new veteran residents joined The Mayflower, the Board continued to grow. “When I came here, I was welcomed by fellow veterans who invited me to join the Military Observance Board,” says Warren Hudson, who served as a Captain in the U.S. Navy. “It’s really been a source of camaraderie and service.”

This year marks the third annual Veterans Day event organized by the Board. In accordance with tradition, the ceremony will take place on November 11, at 11:00 a.m. – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.

“Memorial Day is for those who gave their all for the country; but on Veterans Day, we say thank you to those who came back,” Maj. Gen. Metcalf says. “It’s a day for those who joined up – whether they spent their career in the military or joined for a few years, they signed up to serve and represent the country, and that’s honorable.”

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, this year’s ceremony will include the distribution of a special pin. “During the period of 1955-1975, all Americans who served were eligible to be called to Vietnam,” says Maj. Gen. Metcalf, who served in Vietnam himself. “We have 36 veterans at The Mayflower who qualify for the honor.”

Another prominent resident veteran celebrated this year is D-Day veteran John C. Raaen, Jr. A retired Major General in the U.S. Army, Raaen (now 103) is the last surviving Ranger officer to storm Omaha Beach on D-Day in the battle that marked the beginning of the end of World War II. In September, Maj. Gen. Raaen was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal – one of fewer than 200 honorees in the history of the recognition, alongside the likes of George Washington, the Wright Brothers, Rosa Parks, and Walt Disney.

Our vibrant community welcomes dynamic individuals from all walks of life, from proud veterans to accomplished world travelers, artists, and industry leaders. To read more about their stories, check out past issues of our Navigator magazine – or, get to know our community firsthand by touring one of our stylish apartments.

Ready to learn more? Get in touch to schedule your visit today. We look forward to hearing from you!