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As we honor Veteran’s around the state and around the country today, Matt Galka tells us about a panhandle location now known for its scenic views, but was once a tough training ground that would eventually help American soldiers prepare for World War II.

Wakulla Springs is a popular destination for Floridians and tourists.  It’s known today for its beauty, wildlife, and swimming spots.

It was a much different scene in 1941.  Soldiers from across the country came through and trained at Wakulla Springs which was part of Camp Gordon Johnston. Mike Horvath help’s run the camp’s museum in Carabelle, FL.

“They see the advertisements for beautiful, sunny beaches, lots of women, come down and have some fun! They get here and they’re in the North Florida swamps, but it was very valuable training for them,” he said.

Around three hundred thousand troops came through Wakulla Springs to train for the invasion of Normandy and battles in the Pacific.

Horvath and the Camp Grodon Johnston Association have dedicated themselves to recovering artifacts used by the soldiers who passed through the panhandle county.

“Some of the stuff we have is just priceless. We have letters from the sons to Mom, to the girlfriends, to their wives,” he said.

Down the road from where thousands of soldiers trained, many of the same men and women were honored along with other Florida veterans outside the state’s capital. Florida’s Veterans Foundation unveiled bricks in the Walk of Honor. A constant reminder to all about the men and women from Florida who served our country.

The bricks unveiled in the Capital Courtyard today are part of the “Walk of Honor,” an area at the state’s capital that will eventually lead to a new Veterans Monument being installed near the House Office building.