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.

Casey Lucius

Marco Island City Manager

Casey joined the US Navy in 1998 following Officer Candidate School. She attended Intelligence Training School in Dam Neck, Virginia. Following graduation she was assigned to the aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis in San Diego. During her two-year tour on the USS Stennis, the crew deployed to the Middle East to enforce UN oil sanctions against Iraq, preventing the shipment of illegal oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, during this deployment, Casey visited Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Maylasia, Australia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

Following this deployment, Casey was stationed at the Naval Postgraduate School where she earned a master’s degree in National Security Affairs and spent time in China researching China’s foreign policy and decision making. Her final tour of duty was three years at the Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Hawaii where she served as the daily intelligence briefer to the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. She travelled throughout Asia establishing intelligence exchanges with allies in the region. While in Hawaii, Casey attended the University of Hawaii and earned a Ph.D. in Political Science focusing on political decision making.    

Which historical American figure do you most admire?

I have always admired Amelia Earhart. She set seven speed and distance records in flight and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, but I most admire her for championing women’s rights. In a male dominated industry, she thrived not by trying to prove herself, but by elevating those around her. Her achievements were successes for everyone. In 1934 she helped the first woman student get accepted into the New York University aeronautical engineering program. She advanced an organization for female pilots and provided career counseling to women at Purdue University. I’ve often been encouraged by her tenacity and confidence, and over the years I have found comfort in this quote by Amelia Earhart, “Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying.”

What does ‘freedom’ mean to you?

As a girl who grew up in an apartment in small town Ohio, I used to dream about having a house with a two-car garage and a swimming pool. The freedom to dream is a great privilege in this country, but even greater is the freedom to act to make one’s dreams come true. I really wanted to leave Ohio and travel the world, so I joined the Navy and entered a career that was better than I could have imagined. That career led to an education I couldn’t otherwise afford, and it opened the doors to jobs that paid more than I expected. From the Navy, I worked for the State Department and taught for the Naval War College, both of which included some of the smartest people in the world. When my husband, son and I moved to Naples in 2017 we bought a house with a two-car garage and a swimming pool. I was 41 years old and my dream had come true. Only in America can you leave this place, travel the world, get an education, meet the most amazing human beings, and come back to your dream home and a dream job.

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.