St. Petersburg honors late veteran’s impactful legacy

A historically cold morning in November did not stop dozens of supporters from celebrating a veteran who embodied honor, courage and commitment in his professional and personal life. 

U.S. Navy (Dec.) Seaman Bryant Keith Harrell posthumously received St. Petersburg’s Honored Veteran Award at the 12th annual Veterans Day Ceremony Tuesday. The event returned to the Williams Park Veterans Memorial downtown after moving to City Hall last year following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

Harrell’s wife, Leotte, accepted the award on his behalf and delivered an emotional speech. The proud veteran, former city employee and co-founder of Midtown Miracles, a nonprofit that teaches martial arts to at-risk youth, died unexpectedly in September. 

“He had many loves, but being a veteran and serving this country meant the most to him,” Leotte said of her husband. “Today, right here, I know he’s over the moon happy. So honored. I thank all of you.” 

Bryant Keith Harrell spent 11 years in the Navy, was an ordained minister and co-founded Midtown Miracles, a martial arts program for at-risk youth, with his wife, Leotte. Photo provided.

Mayor Ken Welch noted that Harrell spent 11 years in the Navy and started the branch’s first fight team aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Their motto was “first in flight, first to fight.” 

Harrell, a certified rifle and pistol sharpshooter, was also a martial arts expert. He trained Navy SEALS in hand-to-hand, close-quarters and edge-weapon combat. 

Those skills led to a spot on the November Company’s Anti-Terrorism Team. He continued to train active-duty service members and law enforcement after leaving the Navy. 

In 2018, Harrell, an ordained minister, and Police Chief Anthony Holloway came up with an idea for a youth martial arts initiative. He subsequently launched Midtown Miracles with Leotte, and the two were serving nearly 80 at-risk kids by 2019. 

Welch said the initiative, also known as “Fists of Faith,” instilled “life-changing confidence in our young people.” Midtown Miracles became part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department’s programming.

“As the nominators of this award wrote, ‘Mr. Harrell was a beacon of light, respect, kindness and joy to everyone who worked at City Hall and the Municipal Services Center,” Welch continued. “He had a way of identifying exactly what a person needed to hear to lift them up.” 

Several supporters attended the ceremony despite “feels like” temperatures in the mid-30s.

Leotte said Harrell would always stop what he was doing to stand and salute any veteran they encountered, regardless of their rank, branch or age. “Because he knows the sacrifice that you have made.” 

She recalled a soldier calling as he returned home from a deployment. He said, “Sensei, I want to thank you. Because of all of the things that you taught me, I’m returning home today to my family.” 

“I know I speak for him when I say … many people become divided because of your political parties or this, that and the other,” Leotte said. “But let me remind you, we are still one nation under God.”

Council Chair Copley Gerdes began the ceremony by stating that he “couldn’t help but get a little warmer” during the National Anthem. He also noted that many veterans woke up Tuesday morning without a roof over their heads, a blanket or food in their belly, “so let us not forget that.” 

Mayor Ken Welch said St. Petersburg respects and honors its veterans “all year long, not just on this day.”

Gerdes, the “grandson of two veterans,” called the event a “moment to reflect on the cost of freedom, the value of sacrifice and the duty we all share to uphold the principles for which so many have fought.” Harrell empowered those around him, helping them “stand tall when everything inside of you told you to sit down,” he said. 

“His service to our country speaks volumes, but so does the kindness, strength and compassion he shared with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” Gerdes added. “As we honor all of our veterans, we remember that behind every title, every uniform, every medal, there is a person. 

“Seaman Bryant Keith Harrell, thank you for your service, your leadership and your legacy. You remind us what it truly means to serve in honor and live with purpose.”

The Presentation of Colors by St. Petersburg’s Police and Fire Honor Guard.