It's heartwarming to know that a memorial marker was placed on the crash site in the Philippines in honor of Highlands County's most decorated war hero. That hallowed spot is worth remembering, considering the incredible acts of bravery Maj. Thomas McGuire demonstrated during World War II. McGuire, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics is honored here in Highlands County, were he was born and raised. Medal of Honor Park reminds all of us that a native son did his hometown and nation proud. Charles Martin is the man responsible for the marker at McGuire's plane crash site. He also is a Sebring native who wrote a book on McGuire titled "The Last Great Ace." Parts of the wreckage were still there, according to Martin who was there for the dedication. Martin now lives in Jacksonville. ...more

January 18, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County's most decorated war hero received another post-mortem honor this week. On the Island of Negros in the Philippines, a large memorial marker was set on the crash site where the late Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. died in battle. McGuire, a Highlands County native who won the Congressional Medal of Honor as a pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II, died at that spot 63 years ago while on a mission that turned into a desperate dog fight. ...more

January 17, 2008

The news this week that 2007 became the deadliest year for U.S. troops in Iraq was brought home Wednesday with a solemn ceremony for two local U.S. Army sergeants who died half of a world away two months ago. Hillsborough County Commissioners honored Sgt. Cory Clark of Plant City who was killed on Aug. 28 in Afghanistan and Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes of Tampa who died a day later in Iraq. ...more

November 7, 2007