Marco Celebrates The American Veteran

Around our nation, young and old alike have assembled over the years on November 11th to recognize those that have served their nation in uniform to say thank you for their service. It has been called by a number of names, beginning with Armistice Day, which marked the end of hostilities on the 11th day of the 11th month signifying the end of World War I, when that official document took effect. It would subsequently be signed into law by President Wilson in 1919. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation which would rename the holiday as Veterans Day, honoring all veterans of all conflicts.

Marco Island’s American Legion Post 404 continued the tradition this last Saturday when it held its annual celebration honoring those who have worn the uniform of our nation since its inception. Members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the newest branch of the military, the United States Space Force, were all recognized during a 90-minute ceremony.

Also recognized during the ceremony were two surviving members of what is known as “America’s Greatest Generation,” who are longtime members of the Marco Island community, Donald Mills and Sal Sciarrino.

Seven members of the Marco Military Family, who have subsequently passed in 2022, were also honored when Past Commander Bob Boone of the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol called out their names. Leroy Fishleigh, John Kendall, Larry Oswald, Ray Rosenberg, Robert Sargeant, Richard Siska and Tom Weinmann. The Marco Island Fire Department Ceremonial Bell was rung after each name was read aloud in honor of each veteran who was lost. Firefighter/Paramedic Dirk Switken, a US Navy Veteran, did those honors.

Jim Bloom, Undersheriff of Collier County, would represent Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and spoke of the importance of a strong military and its relationship to providing a foundation for the strength of America’s First Responder Family. He would reference the responses to recent natural disasters here in Florida and the abilities of today’s First Responders to draw from their training as members of America’s military. 

Retired Air Force Colonel and District One Collier County Commissioner, Rick LoCastro, would address attendees regarding the creation of the new Space Force Branch of the Military and its mission to assist in protecting our nation as we move into the future.

Attendees welcomed a special guest in musician and Navy Veteran David Bray as he opened the ceremonies by leading those in attendance in singing the National Anthem. Bray would also go on to sing his new hit song, “The Warrior Inside,” as well as the Lee Greenwood crowd favorite, “God Bless the USA.”

This year’s event was to be held at the newly completed Veterans Community Park, however, due to possible inclement weather and out of an abundance of caution, it was decided to move the event to the Lutheran Church venue.

A dedication of the POW/MIA Chair, which will be placed in Veterans Community Park, will be held at a later date and hosted by the City of Marco Island and the American Legion Post 404. Carl Steinhoff, Chairman of Rolling Thunder, Florida Chapter #5 would make a presentation relative to the significance of the POW Chair, the history of the plight of POW’s and the work being done by Rolling Thunder to keep their story alive. 

Once again, this year, Collier Boulevard was lined with American Flags in recognition of all those that served. The Flag Committee is led by Jon and Suzan Bush and consists of Chris and Laura Adams, Mary Jo and Michael O’Regan, Joe DiSciullo, Mark Doyle and Don Holman. They were kept safe through the assistance of three of the city’s Community Service Officers who did traffic control for them.

No Patriotic event on the island would be complete however without Emily Savage leading the assembly in her late husband’s favorite song, “America the Beautiful,” which would conclude the event for 2022, but with the reminder that everyday our nation should celebrate the contributions of our veterans to our daily lives.