Art Yeaman: Biography
Roots and Profession
Art grew up in the dairy farm area of Northeast Ohio (Dalton, Wayne County), learning the value of working the land. He entered the U.S. Marine, serving our nation for 22 years. A First Coast Technical Institute, Agri-Science, graduate. A former University Florida, Horticulture Extention staff member and a Florida Master Naturalist.
Retired U.S. Marine
A Vietnam Era - Cold War - Legacy Veteran. His duties as a CH-53 helicopter mechanic, crew chief, line chief, and maintenance controller include numerous international humanitarian operations. He was deployed to 17 countries and has resided in five states, with one tour of duty at the Presidential Helicopter Support Squadron (HMX-1) during the President Ronald Reagan and President George H. Bush (41) administrations.
The Transition
During 1989 the family relocated to Green Cove Springs, Florida, for duty as a Marine liaison at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Master Sergeant Yeaman retired from active duty in 1994 and turned his interests to a study of ecology, local history and America's colonial days.
Interpretation
He has developed a variety of educational and entertaining programs. He is known by many as Ben Franklin; performing in colonial attire, Art portrays Doctor Franklin (1706-1790) and has since developed a few other personas such a William "Billy" Bartram, Henry Clay, Tom Paine, and Ben Abram.
Nationally Recognized
He has more than 40 years of public speaking experience and is a nationally recognized Storyteller. He started making public appearances in 1982 teaching military history presentations for High School students. He now performs for conferences, associations, schools, churches, libraries, museums, festivals, businesses, civic groups, and events.
Heritage Guides
Art created the name Heritage Guides to Showcase and Celebrate his passion to talk about our heritage, to discuss civics, to honor local Fallen Warriors (Parade of Heritage), and being available to teach others about our U.S. Constitution.
Heritage Guides
Some memberships include: The Florida and National Trust for Historical Preservation; Marine Corp League; Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Storytelling Network
Jenny & Art
His bride is Jenny (married in 1977). Jenny and Art have two grown children and three grandchildren. They reside in Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Florida.
KEY to Applied Heritage
Showcasing and Celebrating our Clay County, our St Johns River, our Florida, and our American Heritage.
One-Story-At-A-Time
Art is Your KEY to Applied Heritage... A Compatriot Innovator who honors our ecology and our American heritage. He believes that the natural world is the best classroom and that history is not just to be a book on a shelf? ---- It is to be alive and doing well!