High Spirits at Bay Pines VA’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
By Medina Ayala-Lo, Public Affairs Officer
You before me. That is the ethos that resonates with the men and women who donned the uniform and proudly served in the United States of America’s Armed Forces.
The embodiment of that sentiment deserves to be applauded, and on Nov. 11, 2025, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System proudly hosted our annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
“Veterans Day is not just about remembering the past. It’s about recognizing the living legacy of service that continues today,” said Bay Pines VA Interim Director Dr. Derek Szafranski. “Our Veterans deserve the best care, and gathering today is one of the ways that Bay Pines VA ensures that their service is met with our service.”
Despite a cold front that brought temperatures to the low 40 degrees – a record for the area – Bay Pines VA gladly welcomed approximately 400 Veterans, loved ones, staff, and community partners, as they gathered to celebrate our nation’s heroes.
The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by the St. Petersburg Highschool Air Force JROTC, musical performances by the Keswick Christian School, and remarks from the interim director and keynote speaker.
“It was an honor to deliver the key address during this year’s ceremony,” said David Chick, a U.S. Army Veteran and an employee of Bay Pines VA’s Environmental Management Service. “My time in service included hardship and loss, but there were also moments of pride and true brotherhood. Now I’ve reached a place in my life where my job is living in service to Veterans. It’s something I’m extremely proud of.”
Chick served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and, over the course of one enlistment, he spent a total of 19 months in country. His inclusion in the ceremony marked the launch of the Every Veteran Keynote Speaker Program, a new initiative at Bay Pines VA that aims to honor the ordinary Veteran, who did extraordinary things.
“After the Army, there was a time I found myself homeless, hopeless, and convinced that my life was beyond repair,” Chick shared. “But something powerful happened and I realized that I was still here for a reason. Being able to share my story in an environment filled with celebration, felt like a true blessing.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bay Pines VA staff were present to provide education about the care we offer. Additionally, free food, refreshments, and clothing giveaways were made possible thanks to the generosity of our community partners.
“At Bay Pines VA, we are privileged every day to serve America’s heroes,” Szafranski shared. “Every time a Veteran walks through our doors, we are reminded of the sacred trust that they place in us. I am honored to be part of a team that strives to honor that trust in every interaction.”