Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council Announces Inaugural Class: Includes Local Veteran and Businessman Robert J. Silah, Captain (Retired), U.S. Navy

Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council Announces Inaugural Class

October 23, 2013  TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council announces the inaugural class of inductees into the newly established Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

Inductees are:

1.         John R. D. Cleland, Major General (Retired), U.S. Army (Melbourne)

2.         The late Rep. Sam M. Gibbons, former U.S. Army Major (Tampa)

3.         John L. Haynes, Major (Retired), U.S. Marine Corps (Monticello)

4.         Robert F. Milligan, Lieutenant General (Retired), U.S. Marine Corps (Tallahassee)

5.         Jeanne E. G. Rubin, Captain (Retired), U.S. Navy (Sunrise)

6.         Robert J. Silah, Captain (Retired), U.S. Navy (Tampa)

 The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those military veterans who, through their works and lives during or after military service, have made a significant contribution to the state of Florida through civic, business, public service or other pursuits.  It is not a traditional military hall of fame, as it focuses on post-military contributions to the State of Florida.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2013 in the Cabinet Room of the State Capitol Building in Tallahassee.  The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m.

“This ceremony sets forth a proud tradition of recognizing veterans for their leadership and civic contributions to the state,” said retired Air Force Col. Bruce Host, a former Leon County Commissioner who serves as council chairman.  “We look forward to recognizing these distinguished veterans and many more in future years.”

The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council, a seven-member advisory panel, is responsible by Florida Statute for submitting to the Governor and Cabinet a list of recommended nominees each year.  In selecting its nominees for submission, the council gives preference to veterans who were either born in Florida or adopted Florida as their home state.  The council’s recommendations for the inaugural class were unanimously accepted by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Sept. 24, 2013.

For more information, visit http://www.floridaveteranshalloffame.org/index.asp

Captain Silah graduated of Marquette University, Milwaukee and is a native of Wisconsin. Commissioned Ensign US Navy in 1963. Qualified in Surface Warfare, has had duty in aircraft carriers, amphibious and mine warfare ships and others, with numerous deployments to the Caribbean, Western Pacific, and Mediterranean and 2 tours to Vietnam. Other significant shore assignments with the offices of the Chief of Naval Personnel and the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC., and US Central Command.  In this last assignment, he served as Deputy Inspector General with duties in Southwest Asia, inspecting embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Somalia, and Pakistan, briefing Ambassadors and staff on Embassy operations.  Also served as Chief Inspector in a number of Central Command major exercises.  He concluded his active duty 27 year career in Tampa. In 2004, he  founded Operation Helping Hand to help the wounded/injured active duty patients being treated in Tampa where he and his wife Kathy reside. He is founder and president of SKY Sportswear Inc. 

Contact:  Maria Patterson, Executive Director
Organization:  Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA)
Address:  13014 N Dale Mabry Hwy #338, Tampa, FL  33618
Phone:  813-264-0006
Captain Silah can be reached for further comment at:  bsilah@aol.com or 813-963-1854.  He is a current member of CABA with his business Sky Sportswear and his non-profit Operation Helping Hand.