Ashley Furniture HomeStores donated and delivered 680 pieces of furniture valued at $120,000 to 50 newly provided homes of formerly homeless veterans in support of Operation Reveille on Veterans Day.

The Veterans Day event, sponsored in part by the furniture retailer, was held at Port Tampa Bay here.

Operation Reveille was established in response to a national initiative to end veteran homelessness by 2015, along with the Veterans Administration’s 25 Cities Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to end homelessness by rapidly rehousing 50 previously homeless veterans into permanent, supportive housing.

Ashley Furniture Inds. Chairman Ron Wanek recognized Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman and the board president of Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, David Reed, for bringing community partners together in support of such a worthy cause.

“I am honored to share in this day as we recognize the men and women who serve and protect this great country,” Wanek said.

Wanek said he developed a deep sense of respect for those who risked their lives for this country as a boy while listening to the stories of veterans who served in World War II and the Korean War growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Minnesota. Years later, to honor his friends who served in the Vietnam War, he decided to build a tribute in their honor. Eventually he partnered with the city of Arcadia, Wis., where Ashley is based, and built Memorial Park, 54 acres dedicated to veterans of all wars and conflicts.

“It goes without saying, when David Reed asked for Ashley’s support of Operation Reveille, we wanted to do anything we could to show our admiration and appreciation for the sacrifices these men and women made to protect our liberties and freedom. We are proud to be partners in this effort and to show our gratitude for our veterans’ service,” said Wanek.