TECO Shares with Veterans

Marixa Calderon is originally from Orange County New York, but she has called the Tampa bay area home for the last twenty-three years.

Ms. Calderon joined the US coast guard in 2003. During her five years of service, she served as a Yeoman. Most of the time she was stationed in St Petersburg, but she did spend some time on a ship just outside of Cuba. Ms. Calderon states she was proud to serve the United States and appreciates all the experiences that time brought her.

Ms. Calderon states that being a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans Program means stability for family and she is quite grateful for being recognized.

Mr. Clinkscale is originally from Thomasville, Georgia.

Mr. Clinkscale served with the US Navy for three and a half years, from 1966-1970. He was
stationed on the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Clinkscale states being a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program is a great
honor and privilege. He says that many years ago, when he served our country along other men
and women never in his wildest dreams that he expected something like this to happen and it
gives him great joy and it is very humbling to see that all the hard work did not go in vain.

Monica Franciosa was born in a small town in Alabama but claims Tampa, FL as her home as she has lived here the majority of her life.

Ms. Franciosa served in the US Army for five years as a scrub nurse and EMT.

Ms. Franciosa says as a veteran who has dedicated her life to honoring and serving our country in various capacities, including the Army and Federal service, it is truly an honor to be recognized for her contributions. Currently, Ms. Franciosa is the primary caregiver to an amazing miracle baby, born as one of TGH's earliest surviving pregnancies. As she is the primary care giver for a child requiring medical attention and this assistance provides her with financial relief during these difficult times.She is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to explore and advocate for awareness of the diverse resources available to our medically vulnerable populations, including her son. It is her hope that by raising awareness and sharing information about these vital economic & energy efficiency resources, we can ensure that every individual receives the support and care they need to
thrive in our Tampa community.

Mr. Pease was born and raised in Tampa, Florida.

Mr. Pease was drafted by the US Military Services in 1969. He served with the US Army for two years. He completed his military training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina for a year and then was stationed at Fort Bennett Georgia. While at Fort Bennett. Mr. Pease’s duty was to work the switchboard. He was also a boxer for a short period of time in the US Army. After his two years, he was happy to return back to his home in Tampa where he had two small children waiting for him.

Mr. Pease states it an absolute pleasure to be honored by the TECO Shares with Veterans program. The assistance is coming at a great time because it is difficult to keep up with your bills when you are on a fixed income.

Diedra Garrett was born in Chicago, IL and was raised in Jackson, Mississippi.

Ms. Garrett is a US Army War Veteran

Ms. Garrett is not only grateful to be a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program, but says it gives her an awesome feeling and is very validating. She says it is an honor to be chosen and tremendously appreciates it, especially during this difficult time. Ms. Garrett is very proud to have served our country.

Wildline Williams was born in Pahokee, Fl, but raised in Belle Glade, FL.

Ms. Williams served in the US Navy. Her duty was the US Navy Storekeeper. She ran inventory for the entire base.

Ms. Williams says she is honored to be a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program. She says it makes her feel like what she did for this country still matters.

Bradley Harper is from Tuscola, IL.

Mr. Harper served for the US Army as a combat diesel mechanic.

Mr. Harper wants to say thank you for choosing him as recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program and recognizing his service. This assistance means a lot during this difficult time, especially with the damage he obtained to his home from Hurricane Helene. He knows Veterans that struggle with homelessness and thinks this program is fantastic for those who risked their lives for this countr.

George Jones was born in Petersburg, VA born, but has called Tampa home for thirty-five years.

Mr. Jones served in the US Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic.

Mr. Jones says it means a lot to him to be chosen as a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program. This assistance is highly appreciated at this time because in addition to recovering from the storms, he was also injured recently

Jeremy Newton was born in Tucson Arizona.

Mr. Newton served with the US Army. His duty was armament electronics and avionics systems repair on the OH-58D Kiowa warrior helicopter. Mr. Newton served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Newton says being honored as a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program is “Awesome”. He is a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan and says it is an honor and a very cool experience.

Mr. Jenkins was born in Bradenton, Florida, but now calls Tampa home.

Mr. Jenkins served in the US Army for six years. During his time, he worked in communications as a radio operator. He served a great amount of time in Germany.

Mr. Jenkins is a disabled veteran and appreciates being recognized as a veteran he says it feels great to be appreciated for your time serving our country. He is very grateful for being a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program and hopes it will allow others to continue to shine light on disabled veterans.

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Mr. Elbrecht was born in Hudson, Fl.

Mr. Elbrecht enlisted with the U.S Navy in 1985. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier in Mayport, Fl. He travelled to eleven different countries and said Spain was one of his favorites. His job was to fuel all the planes on the carrier.

It’s been an amazing gift after losing our home after Covid. It’s wonderful to know that we are a part of a community that cares.

Doscielina Aqui was born her in Tampa but was raised in Panama City.

Ms. Aqui served in the US Airforce. During her time, she was Security Police and believes it may now be called IT Security Forces. She was stationed in Texas and Ohio, before coming back to Florida. Her duty was presidential security opp. An experience that stands out is when she was given the duty of securing a former president’s airplane. Ms. Aqui really enjoyed her time served. In fact, she tells anyone who doesn’t have a career path or who doesn’t know what they want to do, to join the military because it is a great way of life.

Ms. Aqui says being chosen as a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program means a lot because it makes you feel special. She says she and other veterans sometimes feel like they have been left behind and they are not important. However, she knows for a fact that the military is very important because of the scarifies she and all the others have made and continue to make for our fellow Americans. She is honored and feels grateful to receive this assistance.

Lennard was born in Pahokee FL and now residing in Clewiston FL.

Lennard served in the Army for 4 years in communications for the Army. Customer was station in Germany for some time serving time in the military and was deployed to serve in Iraq .

I wish to thank Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Electric and their associates for all the support they provided for me and my family it's nice to know the community is always willing to help those in need.

Mr. Ramsey is from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mr. Ramsey served in the US Navy – served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Supply Department. He served four (4) years.

It means a great deal to me because it shows that my Country and organizations such of Tampa Electric appreciate the service I provided for all those years.

Ardelia Parker is from Virginia.

Ms. Parker says being in the military was a very exciting time, but unfortunately, she had to get out earlier than expected due to facing a hardship. Ms. Parker says in the time she spent with the military, she was able to meet a lot of people, and everyone seemed like one big family. Fortunately, she has stayed in contact with a few people she met. She says being in the military was very different from the “regular world”.

Ms. Parker says being a recipient of the TECO Shares with Veterans program means a lot and is a huge help. She says opportunities like this mean the world to her and she is very thankful and appreciative to be recognized as a Veteran.