Hernando Beach VFW commander killed in wreck

March 13, 2009

Hernando Beach VFW commander killed in wreck
Tom Marshall, Times staff writer

HERNANDO BEACH -- The commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9236 was killed early this morning in a one-car accident.

Dennis P. Gill, 60, was driving south on Shoal Line Boulevard around 1:10 a.m. when his car left the road and struck a tree. He died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Gill was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the 173rd Airborne Division of the Army. He received the Purple Heart and both the Bronze Star and Silver Star for valor in combat, and spent much of his time working on behalf of veterans, said post quartermaster Bob Estrada.

"A lot of times he was very private because of his post-traumatic stress disorder," Estrada said. "(But) I think his heart and feelings for the last couple of years have been with this post."