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Veteran plants flags in Miami City Cemetery with fallen veterans, aims to restore headstones

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Veteran plants flags in Miami City Cemetery with fallen veterans, aims to restore headstones


MIAMI — Alex Kruger-Dobrota has come to plant flags at the Miami City Cemetery for the last 11 years on Memorial Day weekend

“I don’t see any other reason to celebrate besides honoring those who gave everything to sacrifice,” Alex said.

Each is a symbol of those who gave months, years, or their life for their country. He came across the headstone of a veteran who served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

“If you’ve been through all of that, which is I think the worst of the wars then this is a man who gave it all,” Alex said.

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He used to plant the flags with his friend Dalton, who he served with in the U.S. Marines. Dalton passed away two years ago from an overdose. Alex says he was having trouble living a less rigid life than that in the military. 

“If you don’t have that anymore, you find alternatives to fill that void,” Dalton said. “And a lot of people in the Military turn to whatever reason to fill that void whether it’s adrenaline sports or drugs.” 

The site reminds him of a seven-month tour in Afghanistan. Alex was a sniper and remembers how IEDs were hidden all over the town he was in. 

“Two of my good friends from my old unit, unfortunately, were killed in action,” Alex said. “Two buddies had both their legs amputated. The sergeant had his hand taken away. And I think about that almost every day.” 

There are veterans buried here that date all the way back to the Spanish-American war. The Local VFW in Miami Beach is starting a campaign where they restore some of these headstones, to keep the memory of these veterans alive.

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Miami Beach’s VFW Commander Larry Leitner says it could take years to restore the headstones at the cemetery. He says Many are overdue, 

“Some other cases, the headstones are falling below the ground,” Leitner said. “And they’re almost completely covered.” 

Alex came across one headstone that was buried under so much dirt that you could barely see it. 

“It’s kind of hidden,” Alex said. “His life isn’t really being honored in this way.”

Alex says repairing these stones is the least he can do. A survivor of war, honoring those who didn’t make it back. 

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“You learn the value of life,” Alex said. “The people that gave it all. They did that so that we can enjoy our life.” 



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2 detained after police pursuit ends with bailout, neighborhood search in NW Miami-Dade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

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2 detained after police pursuit ends with bailout, neighborhood search in NW Miami-Dade – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale


NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A police pursuit that began in Broward County ended with a bailout, a tense neighborhood search and at least two detained in a Northwest Miami-Dade residential area.

Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and others with tactical gear that read “Sheriff Gang Task Force” descended on a home near Northwest 99th Street and Second Avenue on Thursday night.

According to MDSO, a suspect bailed out of a corvette that had been involved in a pursuit.

The subject, who deputies said does not live in the home, was taken into custody after officers surrounded the property.

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According to BSO, deputies were conducting a proactive investigation when the subject’s vehicle drove south into Miami-Dade. BSO’s avaition unit responded and a be on the lookout was issued. The vehicle was located in the Northwest Miami-Dade area.

As the subject was being led away in handcuffs, 7News asked him what he was running from and what he had done. The subject did not respond.

Just steps away from where he was detained, a Corvette sat in the middle of the roadway with its doors open. Deputies said they were pursuing that vehicle before it was parked and bailed from.

7News cameras captured deputies recovering a backpack from the scene as investigators continued searching the vehicle well into the night.

Soon after, a second person was placed in handcuffs and into an MDSO cruiser.

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No official arrests have been made as of late Thursday night, according to BSO.

Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Men used fake credentials to enter Brazil vs. Scotland match at Miami Stadium, deputies say

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Men used fake credentials to enter Brazil vs. Scotland match at Miami Stadium, deputies say


Two men accused of using fake credentials during the Brazil and Scotland World Cup match at Miami Stadium were arrested, deputies said.

Stanthony Ballard, 43, and Kareem Thomas, 38, are both facing several charges, including uttering forged instruments and trespassing a sport/entertainment event and soliciting.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, deputies responded to a request to check for fraudulent credentials at section 135 at Miami Stadium, which was filled with approximately 65,000 fans in attendance.

When deputies arrived at the section, four witnesses stated that they had been led into the stadium by the two men in exchange for $1,000 each.

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When the two men were asked to show their credentials, they showed fake credentials to a different sporting event, deputies said.

Court records show this isn’t Thomas’ first run-in with the law at a major South Florida event. He has an open case for allegedly selling Ultra Music Festival tickets back in 2017.

Both men were two of the seven ejections at Miami Stadium on Wednesday. They were taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Thomas’ bond was set to $3,500, and Ballard’s bond was set to $5,000.

NBC6 has reached out to FIFA and the stadium for comment.

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Live updates: Today’s South Florida News

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Live updates: Today’s South Florida News


You’re watching the NBC6 South Florida News streaming channel, which plays local South Florida news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can find the “NBC6 South Florida News” streaming channel on your phone or computer, and on Peacock, Samsung, Roku, Xumo or on our app, so you can watch our local news on your schedule.

Find live updates of the latest breaking news across South Florida.

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For a deeper dive, check out our home page or local collection.



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