Editor’s Note:  Commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the establishment of Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, “First Lady of Vero Beach,” Alma Lee Loy offered the following remarks following the Memorial Day ceremonies held on the island this year.

ALMA LEE LOY

I am honored to be here today to share a few personal highlights of the origin and past 50 years of our historic beautiful and meaningful Veteran’s Memorial Island.

My friend, Alex MacWilliam, Sr. was the epitome of the saying “One man can make a difference.”  He had a dream and led the commitment of many others.

As a native of Vero Beach, I have enjoyed knowing Mr. and Mrs. MacWilliam and all seven children, Edgar, Alex. Jr., Helen, Joan, Peter, Barbara and Robert.

Alex MacWilliam Sr., twice wounded and highly decorated veteran of WWI, never forgot his fallen comrades and the sacrifices they made.

Mr. MacWilliam was advised by his doctor in Cleveland, Ohio to find a warm climate for his recuperation and Vero, FL, located in Saint Lucie County was recommended.

In fact, he was employed to develop part of an island where a group of doctors wanted to build winter homes (we know that area today as Riomar).

In 1919, when Mr. MacWilliam first arrived in Vero, on a Saturday night, he thought it was a large town because the streets (2 of them) were filled with people.

He soon found out that all 300 residents came to town on Saturday night because the electric power plant generated an extra 2 hours of electricity to allow citizens additional time to buy supplies.

Next he found there was no bridge to the island, so he rented a boat to row across to the island to find a very narrow walking path that went from the river to the ocean.  That trail is now called Riomar Drive.

Mr. Mac, as he was affectionately known, said it was the most beautiful jungle he had ever seen.

With huge oak trees and tropical flowers everywhere, wild orchids and moss on every tree.  There was also lots of wildlife – birds, black bears, huge snakes, wild hogs, Florida Panthers and foxes.

Oh yes, lots of mosquitoes and no-see-ums.

All building materials had to be brought across the river on barges and hauled to the building sites by oxcart because of the sandy trails.

They used 100 mules to build the golf course that is now part of the Riomar Golf Club.

Soon Mr. Mac began to push the St. Lucie Government to build a bridge, as we were still part of St. Lucie County.

By 1920, the first bridge was built but it was a toll bridge with all of the money going to the St. Lucie Government.

Very quickly, Mr. Mac built his own water tower and electric generator.

Before 1923, he had built 5 houses, the golf course and a Club House.

All this experience led Mr. Mac to become involved with local politics and in 1925 he was one of the leaders in the creation of Indian River County.

By 1927, Alex MacWilliam Sr. was elected Mayor of Vero Beach.  His terms totaled 20 years.

He also served as our state legislator for 12 years.

It was during this time, in the legislature, he championed the law that created a Florida State Veterans Commission, as he was determined that Florida and Indian River County honor their veterans.

This was also the time he persuaded the Army Corp of Engineers to re-align the Indian River channel closer to the shore and deposit the “spoil” on a small island nearby.

When the Corp of Engineers Federal Project was completed the newly created lands, including the 7 acre island, were given to the State of Florida.

In May 1947, the State of Florida, officially deeded the newly created land, including the “new” 7 acre island, to the city of Vero Beach.

The small island was given for the sole purpose of creating a Veteran’s Memorial to be dedicated to the men and women who had paid the supreme sacrifice while protecting our country.

The island lay dormant for several years, in fact, in 1963 Alex MacWilliam organized a committee of 88 citizens (50 men and 38 women) from all over the County to help raise funds and spearhead the development of the newly named Indian River Memorial Island.

The entire community pitched in to work on this project.  Hundreds of citizens contributed in many different ways.  The goal of $15,000 was raised and work began.

The City and County Public Works Departments built the footbridge across to the island.  We had a wrought iron gate for the entrance, an historic iron bell to sound for attention and flowers at the entrance.

Two knowledgeable volunteers walked in front of an end loader to clear a winding path thru the tall Australian Pine Trees and undergrowth that covered the island.

When the path was cleared, local veterans worked from sun up to sun down on Veteran’s Day to plant 60 tall Royal Palm Trees.

At the base of each tree, a granite marker was placed with the name of a veteran from Indian River County who had died defending our country.  There were 60 markers.

In 1963, one of the first monuments on the island was given by the entire community and is inscribed “Lest We Forget.”

It is a constant reminder we must never forget the debt we owe our veterans.

The official dedication of the island was set for May 10, 1964.

I hope you now have a glimpse of the man, Alex MacWilliam, Sr.

17 years of leadership, dedication and determination by one man and the commitment by many, many others had created a memorial of honor.

Since 1967, there have been many changes to the island.

Storms, long ago, destroyed the tall pine trees.  But, we have replaced them with Oak Trees.

The winding path remains the same.   As a walking trail, now it is dotted with a monument to each Branch of Service.

The pine needles have been replaced with a permalite walkway.

The 60 Royal Palms died out long ago and the 60 deceased veterans markers have become 78 cenotaphs, all gathered in the center of the island.

Benches now replace the wooden fruit boxes needed at the first dedication.  The wrought iron gates rusted away many years ago.

But this is Florida.  Just when we had the island in excellent condition, the hurricanes (Frances and Jeanne) came and destroyed 58 trees, our pathways, benches and caused great erosion problems.

Our cenotaphs were washed all over the island, but were recovered and replaced.

Once again, the citizens of our community expressed their love for the island.

Over 300 individuals and 13 organizations donated time and money to restore our sanctuary.

The one expression that can never be destroyed is the “spirit of our Veteran’s Island” and the dedication of this community to “Honor Our Veterans.”

The City Council, City Manager, Public Works Department and the Veteran’s Council all worked together.  Another timeless effort to restore our beautiful island.  Again, we are ready for visitors.

With the help of Ruth Stanbridge, our County Historian, the island was listed on the Florida Registry of Historic Places.

On August 19, 2003, a Veteran’s Memorial Island Advisory Committee was created by the City Council to assist with reviewing documentation for proposed memorials for the island.

Helen MacWilliam Glenn, daughter of the late Alex MacWilliam, served as the initial Chairman of this committee.

On July 6, 2004, the name was formally changed from Memorial Island Park to Veteran’s Memorial Island Sanctuary.

During the last decade, 6 additional memorials have taken their place of honor on the island.

These tributes included recognition of the Purple Heart Veterans, Veterans of Pearl Harbor and POW/MIA’s, along with WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

In closing, I hope each of you here this morning will always remember, you too “can make a difference” in our community.  Your words, your deeds, your actions will pave the way for the generations to follow, as we strive to protect this place of quiet contemplation and reflection on the sacrifices of all veterans.

Thank you for your kind attention and your attendance honoring this Historic Celebration.