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A Fitting Tribute To The Vila Brothers

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

To old-time Tampans, the Vila brothers are among the most inspirational figures in the community's history. The family sent seven sons to serve this country in times of war.

The Hillsborough County School Board has an opportunity to honor their remarkable service by naming a new middle school after them.

Joe, Willie, Wilfred, Hector, Robert, Denio and Tony represent American patriotism, service and sacrifice. It would be fitting if the board Tuesday - just days before Veterans Day - would vote to name the new middle school in Citrus Park for these West Tampa natives.

Three of the Vila brothers - Joe and Willie in the Marines and Wilfred in the Army - served in World War II, where Joe and Willie both received Purple Hearts after surviving serious wounds in the Pacific theater.

Hector and Robert served in the Marines and the Navy, respectively, during the Korean War. Denio trained Army combat medics during the Vietnam War and served at Fort Hood when it was the headquarters of the Cold War. Tony served as a medic during the Vietnam War and remained a Navy man for decades, ultimately participating in the first Iraq war.

"Florida's youth could not ask for a better group of men to serve as role models of patriotism in action," U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has written in support of naming the school after the Vila brothers.

With the continuing influx of newcomers, it is important Tampa preserve the memory of key figures in its past. Naming a school after the brothers would forever memorialize their remarkable example.

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