Honorary Chair of the capital campaign Lt. General Jay Garner accepted a pledge on March 5th to construct and endow a Memorial at Lake Nona to those who served in the uniform of their country and did not return home to Central Florida. In honor of Grace Starling the Starling family has pledged a contribution of $50,000. This pledge will be used to match contributions to the campaign of $1,000 or more up to $50,000. “We are delighted for this most generous contribution, not only does this give the campaign momentum, it provides an incentive for others to give,” said General Garner who headed Iraq’s Reconstruction under President George W. Bush and is a resident of Windermere. On the occasion of Grace Tucker Starling’s 95th birthday celebration, she was thrilled to learn about the Veteran’s Memorial Gift in her honor. “As a family of veterans it touched our hearts when we learned about this Memorial,” said her grandson Jack Starling. He noted that in his grandmother’s lifetime, her husband, and two brothers served in World War II, and all three of her sons served in the Vietnam Era. Walker Starling, Jack’’ brother, added that currently two of their cousins, Colonel Christopher Starling and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Starling, both Marines, were veterans of the Persian Gulf Conflict and are still serving adding that “just a few weeks ago, Mike was in Cairo.” Jerry Pierce, President of the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation noted that “the Starling Matching Gift Program comes on the heels of a $50,000 commitment from the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association of which the Starling Group is a member and the Starling’s have given twice, as they are members of the Association as well. We will do all we can to encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity to have their gift doubled with the Starling Match,” said Pierce.

 

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