Celebrating America Through Local Eyes

Local veterans and heroes will be sharing their thoughts on what makes Marco and America special by answering some patriotic questions. It’s our way to honor those whose dedication and sacrifices make our Island community shine. 

Keith Basik 

Upon graduation from Lely High School in Naples, Keith attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York. After graduating, he was commissioned as an officer (First Lieutenant) in the Infantry and completed various advanced courses: Ranger School, Airborne, and Bradley Commander’s Course.  Subsequently, Keith served as a Platoon Leader with the Second Armor Division, then as an executive officer for the First Cavalry Division during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. 

After five years, Keith left active duty but retired as a Major in the Reserve. He now owns various companies: The Hideout Storage Park, Repurposed Material of Naples, and NBC Land Holdings, LLC. 

He is married to Kristin and has two children, Bradley and Rachel.    

If you could travel back in time to one event in our history, which one would it be?  

The signing of the Declaration of Independence. It would be amazing to stand in that humid Philadelphia room alongside figures like Jefferson, Hancock, Adams, and Franklin. We often picture the founders as elderly men, but outside of a 70-year-old Benjamin Franklin, the key drivers of the revolution were young—mostly in their 30s. There would be an incredible irony in listening to these young rebels debate their vision for the future, all while holding the hindsight of exactly how the next 250 years would play out because of them.  

Which historical American figure do you most admire?  

Harry Truman. Before becoming president, he was the ultimate underdog—a failed haberdasher from a small town in Missouri whom elites largely dismissed. He only caught FDR’s eye because of his relentless work exposing military waste and fraud during WWII. Yet, Roosevelt completely isolated him, meeting with him just twice during their 84 days in office together. When FDR died, Truman was thrust into a wartime presidency with zero briefing on the atomic bomb or postwar plans. Having to suddenly navigate the end of WWII, the dawn of nuclear warfare, and the start of the Cold War—and doing so with immense grit—makes his rise from ordinary citizen to decisive leader truly admirable. 

If you would like to nominate a Veteran or local hero to be featured in Celebrating America Through Local Eyes, contact Brittany Richards at brittany@coastalbreezenews.com.