St. Pete honors its veterans

The City of St. Petersburg honored two veterans at its 10th annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial in Williams Park.

BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL | Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — The City of St. Petersburg held its 10th annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial in Williams Park. This year’s honorees included retired Senior Airman Louis Williams, United States Air Force, and retired Colonel Lucie Marie Stagg, U.S. Army.

“This very special day is so much more than just a day of remembrance and tributes. It’s a call to action never to forget our veterans’ commitment to duty, their bravery and sacrifices,” said Erica Riggins, public information office director, who served as the mistress of the ceremony.

Left, Director of St. Pete Veteran Center Gina Maniaci, School Board member Caprice Edmond, City Council Chair Brandi Gabbard, Senior Airman Louis Williams, Air Force, Colonel Lucie Marie Stagg, U.S. Mayor Ken Welch, Vice Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Councilwoman Lisset Hanewicz

Those on hand for the celebration included Amy Foster, Housing & Neighborhood Services Administrator, and Gina Maniaci, director of the St. Pete Veteran Center, who, 10 years ago, conceived the idea to honor the veterans with a ceremony each year.

“Our attendance underscores the importance of honoring our veterans and those who keep us free,” said Mayor Ken Welch. “In St. Petersburg, our respect for veterans is deeply ingrained in what we do every day.”

Other officials in attendance included Police Chief Anthony Halloway, School Board member Caprice Edmond, City Administrator Rob Gerdes, City Council Chair Brandi Gabbard, Vice Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Councilwoman Lisset Hanewicz.

Senior Airman Louis Williams, Air Force, retired

Louis Williams served nine years in the United States Army and four years in the U.S. Air Force, including a Vietnam tour. He continued to serve when he returned home and joined the St. Petersburg Police Department, where he was one of the first 10 African-American police officers on the force.

Leaving the police department before the Courageous 12 sued the St. Pete Police Department for racial discrimination, Williams went on to work for the United States Postal Service for 30 years.

In 2022, he was selected for the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where veterans are celebrated by being flown to our nation’s capital and given a VIP tour of the memorials.

He is a member of WFW Post 10174, where he helps raise funds for scholarships for underserved children in St. Petersburg and religiously participates in the post’s days of service in the community.

Williams is also a charter member of the Jordan Park Projects Nostalgic Association, a group that also raises funds for underserved children and keeps the rich history of the residents alive.

Colonel Lucie Marie Stagg, U.S. Army, retired

Lucie Marie Stagg graduated from West Point in 1987. She served in multiple wars and conflicts, including Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia. She had numerous commands, including the largest Counterintelligence Brigade in the United States Army.

By the end of her service, Stagg’s awards and commendations included three Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merits and a Defense Superior Service Medal. She also worked at the Pentagon during the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001.

After Stagg retired in 2017, she was accepted into and graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She now dedicates her time working with aging athletes and furthering mental wellness.