To Pensacola’s Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, we extend our sincere thanks to your members for recognizing our father, Patrick G. Emmanuel, a life-long Pensacola resident, World War II veteran, and Bronze Star recipient, on the occasion of his 100th birthday on January 25, 2020.

In late 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that fewer than 390,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII are still living.  Our dad has beaten the odds at every fortunate turn throughout his lifetime, most notably while serving in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945.  During the year or so that he spent in Europe, Dad was elevated to the rank of Major with the 630th Tank Destroyer Battalion, which was primarily attached to the 28th Infantry Division. During the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, his unit experienced ‘some of the most intense warfare known to man,’ and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, one of the major battles of WWII.  They continued fighting in France, Belgium, and Germany until V-E Day on May 8, 1945.  Our dad was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in the Battle of the Bulge.

Words cannot express our tremendous pride in, and gratitude to our father, who grew up during the Great Depression, served our country with great distinction, and earned a sterling reputation in our community throughout his protracted legal career as an honorable man. In his military service to our country, he helped to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. We must never forget. Our hope is that young people will not lose sight of the sacrifices that have been made by our father, all veterans, and those currently serving in the military.  With greater awareness, we should take pause to honor them and to learn from them.
Thank you!

Sincerely,

Rick Emmanuel on behalf of the Emmanuel family

Captain Patrick G. Emmanuel in 1943 or 1944:

1944 while in combat in France(L to R) Gabriel McNair*, Patrick G. Emmanuel**, and Charles O. Lafitte***

*Gabriel McNair was killed by a sniper within a few days of arriving in France; he was second in command of the 630th Tank Destroyer Battalion when he died in the arms of Patrick G. Emmanuel; he may have been from Savannah, GA

**Patrick G. Emmanuel was elevated to Major and second in command when Gabriel McNair was killed; from Pensacola, FL

***Charles O. Lafitte became a state postmaster general post-WWII

1945 in Germany as WWII was ending, members of the 630thTank Destroyer Battalion led by first Commanding Officer Samuel Wallace from Mobile, AL (not pictured), who later became Adjutant General of TN following WWII

First Row L to R:  Commanding Officer Jones, Major Patrick G. Emmanuel, Robert Hutchison, John Kimbrell

Second Row L to R:  Captain Leo Osborne, Unknown, John Graney, Unknown, Automotive Officer Eckert

Patrick and Olivia Emmanuel and their six living children

(L to R) Rick, Barbara, Robert, Deborah, Stephen and John in 2018

Patrick and Olivia Emmanuel at Innerarity in 2008

Patrick and Olivia Emmanuel at Innerarity in 2006

Patrick G. Emmanuel in 2019

  Patrick Emmanuel in 2018 at his home with his four sons – all attorneys, and long-time family friend, Paul Bruno

(L to R) Robert, Paul, Mr. Emmanuel, Rick, Stephen, and John

Patrick G. Emmanuel on his 99th birthday, January 25, 2019

Patrick and Olivia Emmanuel at Innerarity

Patrick G. Emmanuel and son, Patrick (‘Rick’) G. Emmanuel, Jr. at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in 2019

  Recognition of Patrick G. Emmanuel’s retirement from Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon by government officials in 2014

(L to R): Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson, Pensacola City Councilman Brian Spencer, Patrick G. Emmanuel, and Congressman Jeff Miller’s representative

  Family members of Patrick G. Emmanuel at his retirement reception at Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon in 2014

(Bottom row L to R): Daughters Deborah and Barbara, Patrick Emmanuel, sons Robert and John, daughter-in-law Christy Emmanuel

(Top row L to R): Sons Stephen and Rick, son-in-law Dennis Hanover

Veterans Memorial Park ‘Walk of Honor’ Brick dedicated in 2019 to:

Major Patrick G. Emmanuel

630thTank Destroyer Battalion

28thInfantry Division

Bronze Star

Battle of the Bulge