Raymond Surette was born on May 12, 1920, in Rumford, Maine. Drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1943, he was assigned to the 826th Bombardment Squadron in the Army Air Corps. After a first instruction at the Miami Beach Training Center, he completed advanced training in Colorado and Michigan on gunsight, loading bombs, and turret gunnery. As a marksman and a tower turret and gunsight mechanic, Surette participated in the main battles taking place in Europe. From April 1944 onward, he fought in France aboard B-24 Heavy Bombers. He took part of the liberation of Northern France and Southern France. He also served in the North Apennines and in the Battle of Rhineland. Surette resides in Homestead, Florida.

MAB provides the Board of County Commissioners with recommendations regarding military affairs in Miami-Dade County specific to the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard Reserves and Coast Guard (collectively “Armed Forces”) and active, reserve, retired, disabled, and deceased military personnel in Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity in its programs, services, employment, and activities and does not discriminate based on disability. For more information or to request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, CART services, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please contact Executive Director of Military and Veteran Affairs Gustavo Cruz at 305-375-4493.