Rally to honor Special Forces

Honoring veterans is a common theme for many rallies, but for retired Senior Chief Geoff Ross, it is more than just a rally, it is personal.

During his service in the U.S. Navy, Ross worked with special operations teams and was befriended by many SEALs and as such, entered their tight-knit circle. The relationships cultivated during his service have remained over the years and he wants to pay tribute to them during an upcoming rally.

The U.S. Constitution and Freedom Rally II will begin at noon March 17 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach and will honor those that serve on the “front lines.”

The rally will honor those that “go in first” said Ross, but get “no credit or recognition.” In most situations Ross explained, it is the Special Forces that go in first and complete missions that Americans rarely ever hear about.

“They are on the tip of the spear in protecting our country and constitution,” Ross said.

Ross’ connection to the service began as an infant. His father was a Navy sailor and his mother was an Air Force airman. He was born in South Africa and when his parents moved to Europe, he became the youngest Shellback at 2-months old when he crossed the equator on the RMS Windsor Castle for the first time. Earning his certificate at such a young age meant he did not need to go through the “crossing the equator” Navy traditional and ritual that “pollywogs” must go through to earn Shellback status when he joined the Navy.

His respect for service members began at an early age then, and was solidified with his own service.

The rally will include more than 20 speakers. The headline speaker will be Gov. Rick Scott. 

For speaker Kevin Jackson, a Fox News Contributor and President of the Black Sphere, it is also about honoring those who serve. 

For more on this story, see the March 8 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.