Patriot Richard "Dick" Jones died on April 12, 2007 at the age of 79.  A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, he exemplified the steadfast determination of a United States Marine throughout his life.

A veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Patriot Jones was seriously wounded on September 24, 1966 while commanding the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.  After three and a half years of additional surgeries and rehabilitation, he was medically retired from the Marine Corps in March 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

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Patriot Jones and his beloved wife of 59 years, Bette, relocated from Virginia to Inverness, FL in March 1975.  Active in veteran affairs, he was the founding commander of DAV Chapter 139 in Homosassa FL, the DAV Department of Florida Adjutant from 1979 to 1985 and trustee and secretary for the 3rd Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund from 1976 to 2002.

A memorial service celebrating the life and honoring the memory of Patriot Jones was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Chapter 776 was well represented with John Auble, Ken Bradshaw, Curt & Mari-Elain Ebitz, J.B. & Anita Haskins, Hub & Gretchen Kurth, Harold & Pat Layman, Ralph & Diane McClure, Dave & Marilyn Murphy, Jack Ness, Don & Bea Paddy, and Rudy & Jeane Weddle paying their respect.   

Patriot Francis Platt, Chapter 776's Junior Vice Commander, died on November 13, 2004 at age 73 of brain cancer. Francis died peacefully at his home under the care of Hospice with his beloved wife of 28 years, Shirley, by his side.

Francis was a native of Waterbury, Connecticut and came to Florida eight years ago from East Haddam Connecticut. He was a graduate of Suffield Academy and the University of Connecticut and retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as an engineering manager with 34 years service.

Francis served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps and saw combat duty during the Korean War receiving two Purple Hearts He loved to read histories of the U.S. military, especially the Korean War period. Francis also was fascinated by the history of aviation and enjoyed golfing and riding motorcycles.

A memorial service with full military honors was held at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Crystal River, Florida with Patriots Auble, Beattie, Bradshaw, Ebitz, Guard and Haskins representing Chapter 776.

November 2004  - At the memorial service for Chapter 776's departed Patriot Francis Platt, Chapter Commander Curt Ebitz passes the colors to Chapter member Don Guard, who presented them on behalf of a grateful nation to Patriot Platt's widow.