Islanders Honor Those Who Gave All

Memorial Day on Marco Island began a few days earlier than the Monday ceremonies held at the Veterans Community Park. The team of volunteers headed by Jon and Suzan Busch headed out early on Saturday with their team consisting of Tom and Dianna Spinuzza, Brian and Nancy Stoliker as well as Tiffany Homuth and Bob Holman to take on the task of planting the small American Flags along Collier Boulevard. Members of the Marco Police Department’s Code Enforcement Team assisted them to ensure their safety along the busy main throughway on the island.

On Monday, the traditional 11:00 AM event kicked off promptly as American Legion Post 404 Commander Lee Rubenstein welcomed those in attendance to the solemn ceremony which recognizes the supreme sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in both peacetime and in times of conflict while in the military.

After the Presentation of the Colors by the Marco Island Police Department’s Color Guard and other ceremonial portions of the program, attendees heard from a number of speakers, which included, but not limited to Florida House Member Yvette Benarroch, American Legion Post 404’s Chaplain Bill Duncan, District One Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro and Post 404 Commander Rubenstein.

County Commissioner LoCastro, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a retired Colonel with the U.S. Air Force may have caused many in the audience to ponder a simple question. Why are our beaches more crowded on days such as these, versus gatherings to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifices?