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Vets Hear Fighting Words

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Veterans packed City Hall on Monday to protest one of their own, City Council President Luis Lopez.

With a guest column in a weekly newspaper, Lopez, an Air Force veteran, seems to have infuriated virtually the entire veterans community. In his column, Lopez criticized local veterans groups for failing to "give back to the community."

He said military veterans seem to think they "walk on water," but that civilians tend to look down on veterans groups and clubs as little more than hangouts where people go for cheap beer.

In the column, Lopez addressed his comments to "veterans' groups that have recreational bars that serve alcohol." He described walking into one such location early one morning to find the bar packed with veterans who were already on their "second or third rounds."

"Not to be judgmental, but what reason is there to be drinking alcohol at 9 a.m.?" he wrote.

Kevin Dionne, captain of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard, said members volunteer hundreds of hours every year at funerals and public events. In addition, the post donated more than $12,000 this year to schools and charitable organizations.

"Our club is made up of loyal, courageous men and women, and to cast them as drunken bums is despicable," he said.
Trevor Gray accused Lopez of having a vendetta against the VFW post.

"When you attack one vet, you attack us all because we are all brothers," he said. "We will not forget, and we will see you on Election Day."

In an interview with the Tribune, Lopez shared a memory of his first few days in Florida. He moved to Zephyrhills in 2003 after being laid off from his job in Arizona. He was homeless, jobless and didn't have money for food or gas. He walked to the local VFW post to look for help.

"They offered me a beer," he said. "I needed guidance, and all I got were stories."

He later met members of the American Legion, who bought him lunch and helped him find the job he still has today. He said writing the article was painful.

"I probably will lose my next election if they stay mad at me," he said. "I am a substance abuse counselor. I don't regret writing what I wrote. I'm sad that I had to do it."

Mayor Cliff McDuffie and other council members distanced themselves from Lopez on Monday.

"I do not share his opinion," Councilman Clyde Bracknell said, and pointed the vets toward Lopez, "in case you want to throw tomatoes."

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844.

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