The Village of Palmetto Bay on Veterans Day honored the memory of Palmetto Bay resident and decorated war veteran Irving Whitman by co-designating a portion of SW 83rd Avenue between 168th Street and 172nd Street as “Irving Whitman Way.”
Whitman served in the United States Army’s First and Third divisions during World War II, taking part in the invasion of France and later repulsing the Nazi counterattack at the Battle of the Bulge. Whitman was one of the first Allied soldiers to enter Buchenwald concentration camp.
His efforts during the war led the French government to induct him into the French Legion of Honor in 2012.
After returning from Europe, he moved to Miami from New York and entered the police academy where he went on to become the first Jewish police officer to serve on the City of Miami force. He made his home in Palmetto Bay.
Village Mayor Karyn Cunningham expressed her feelings about the occasion.
“As the proud daughter of a Marine and step-daughter of a Navy doctor, I know the sacrifices placed on our families when a loved one answers the call to serve,” Mayor Cunningham said. “As Americans, we owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our veterans who, during peace and war, have protected the foundation upon which our country was founded. Take a moment today to celebrate the day and honor those courageous men and women in our community who have served our country in the armed forces.”
