GAINESVILLE, FL: 

     A celebration in Gainesville honored local veterans and the community leaders who support them, and one of the awards hits close to home.
 

   The 8th annual veteran awards banquet honored local veterans groups as well as community leaders who work to support vets in North Central Florida.  

     Event organizers stressed the importance of supporting veterans and raising awareness for groups who do so. 

     Veteran and event organizer, Don Sherry said, "The volunteers that help out in these various posts and organizations are not a clique. They welcome new people to come in and to help out.  It's truly the American way.  It's truly community activity at its best."

     Several veterans were awarded for their service and volunteering, Jim Lynch was named veteran of the year, Terry Fitzpatrick accepted the award for veteran family of the year, VA employee of the year went to Glen Busby.

     And TV-20's own Dave Snyder was awarded veteran supporter of the year for his work in raising awareness for area veteran's groups.

     So here's a big congrats to dave and to all the men and women recognized for their sice.