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Veterans Day

Full gallery »Veterans day service at Cambier Park

  • United States Marine Corps. Sgt. Chad Coleman, 26, salutes during the playing of Taps during the annual Armistice Day and Veterans Day event at Cambier Park in Naples. Coleman is on inactive ready reserve and did two tours during his time in the military - one to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Members of the Detachment Marine Corps. League fold the American Flag in honor of Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Burrow from Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment - who was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 7, 2009 - during the Armistice Day and Veterans Day event at Cambier Park in Naples. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Bugle player Sgt. Robert McDonald, left, from the U.S. Army Air Corps., and retired U.S. Navy Chaplain Hamby Barton, listen to wait on stage to present during the 2009 Armistice Day and Veterans Day event at Cambier Park in Naples. Instead of a keynote speaker, the event highlighted J.R.O.T.C. students in Collier County high schools and a letter written from a husband to his wife from the front lines of World War I was read. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Girls from the Barron Collier High School J.R.O.T.C. Facsimile Drill Team practice throwing their rifles before performing at the 2009 Armistice Day and Veterans Day event Wednesday at Cambier Park in Naples. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Cpl Howard Terry, 82, left, talks with other former Marines during the annual Armistice Day and Veterans Day event at Cambier Park in Naples. Terry lied about his age when he was young and entered the Marines in 1942 at the age of 15. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • A scene from the annual Armistice Day and Veterans Day event at Cambier Park in Naples. Lexey Swall/Staff

Hundreds gather for a Armistice Day and Veterans Day celebration at Cambier Park on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.



Full gallery »USO Show at Naples Depot

  • Bonnie Gray, from left, Janae Woody and Annie Jensen, from Bonnie Gray Productions, perform as the Andrew Sisters during the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. More than 100 people attended the event that featured music from 'The Legends of WWII' in honor of Veterans Day. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Carmella Rath, 72, and her husband Fritz, 74, dance to hits fromt he 1940's sung by a Judy Garland impersonator during the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. More than 100 people attended the event that featured music from 'The Legends of WWII' in honor of Veterans Day. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. More than 100 people attended the event that featured music from 'The Legends of WWII' in honor of Veterans Day. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. More than 100 people attended the event that featured music from 'The Legends of WWII' in honor of Veterans Day. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Scenes from the USO Show on Wednesday at the Naples Depot. More than 100 people attended the event that featured music from 'The Legends of WWII' in honor of Veterans Day. Lexey Swall/Staff

Scenes from the Veterans Day USO Show at the Naples Depot



Full gallery »Veterans Day service at Riverside Park

  • Bonita Springs resident and U.S. Navy veteran Alan Gifford visits with fellow veterans before the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. David Albers/Staff
  • Auxillary Unit 388 secretary Betty Miller participates in the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. David Albers/Staff
  • Eleven-year-old Megan O'Neil, of Estero, listens to the speakers at the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. David Albers/Staff
  • U.S. Army veteran Frank Barletta, of Bonita Springs listens to the speakers at the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. David Albers/Staff
  • Six-year-old Madison O'Neil, of Estero, listens to the speakers at the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. David Albers/Staff
  • Maga Erpelding, of Bettembourg, Luxembourg, clutches the American Flag as she listens to the Veterans Day service at Riverside Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Bonita Springs. Erpelding, who is vacationing in Southwest Florida, was five-years-old when Allied soldiers liberated her hometown after four years of German occupation. 'I hold onto the flag because I feel part of America today. We feel honored to give tribute,' Erpelding said. David Albers/Staff


Full gallery »FGCU recognizes campus vets

  • Jonathan Riner, a student at Florida Gulf Coast University who served in the Army, including eight months in Afghanistan, speaks to a room full of veterans during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans. 'For the first time in history, thousands of warriors return home with enough benefits and resources to be anything they want to be,' said Riner. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Color Guard Commander Yireh Ayala, 18, from Estero High School J.R.O.T.C., waits to present colors during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans on Tuesday. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Cheryl Seals-Gonzalez, the director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance at Florida Gulf Coast University addresses a group of veterans during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Robert Green Jr., right, co-founder of FGCU CampusVeterans, a group formed to recognize and honor veterans who work and attend classes at FGCU, is introduced during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Florida Gulf Coast University President Wilson Bradshaw, right, and Provost Ron Toll joke during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Norm Melious, 58, a plumber at Florida Gulf Coast University and former United States Army soldier from the 82nd Airborn, listens to speakers during the third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans. Melious served in the Vietnam War after he was drafted in 1969 when he was 18-years-old. Lexey Swall/Staff

Florida Gulf Coast University holds third annual Veterans Recognition Day in the FGCU Student Union hosted by FGCU CampusVeterans.



Full gallery »WWII Veteran Benedetto Ardito

  • Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Copy photo of Benedetto Ardito in Fort Carso, Colo. in 1942 at the age of 20. Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment. Lexey Swall/Staff

Benedetto Ardito, 87, is a World War II veteran who has a Bronze Star and three others for his participation in four battles, They were Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes and Northern France. He was drafted soon after he turned 20. He spent 3 (1/2) years in the 4th Infantry, K-Company and 8th Regiment.



Full gallery »Agent orange still affects Vietnam Vet

  • Naples attorney Tom Grogan spent between December of 1966 and December 1967 as a heavy truck driver for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Copy photo of Tom Grogan in 1967 in Vietnam. Naples attorney Tom Grogan spent between December of 1966 and December 1967 as a heavy truck driver for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Copy of photo taken by Tom Grogan of tracers from bullets shot from aircraft at Tuy Hoa Airforce Base in Vietnam in August 1967. Naples attorney Tom Grogan spent between December of 1966 and December 1967 as a heavy truck driver for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange.
  • Copy photo of Tom Grogan in the Spring of 1967 at Tuy Hoa Airforce Base in Vietnam. Naples attorney Tom Grogan spent between December of 1966 and December 1967 as a heavy truck driver for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange.
  • Copy of photo taken by Tom Grogan of Vung Ro Bay in 1967 in Vietnam. Naples attorney Tom Grogan spent between December of 1966 and December 1967 as a heavy truck driver for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange.
  • Copy photo of Tom Grogan with the truck he drove daily between December of 1966 and December 1967 for the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. He transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange.

Naples attorney Tom Grogan transported bombs and napalm between Tuy Hoa Airforce Base and Vung Ro Bay during the Vietnam War in 1966 and 1967. Soon after returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, Grogan began developing skin cancers. A few years ago, the VA linked his cancers to Vietnam and Agent Orange.



Full gallery »Veteran speaks at Golden Gate High School

  • Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, spoke about his service and sacrifice for country while in the U.S. Army to a packed auditorium at Golden Gate High School Monday. Camargo was wounded while serving in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the neck down. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • ROTC students at Golden Gate High School wave American Flags for Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, who spoke about his service in the U.S. Army to a packed auditorium at Golden Gate High School Monday. Camargo was wounded while serving in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the neck down. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, U.S. Army, center, takes to the stage at Golden Gate High School Monday where he spoke about service and sacrifice to country after being paralyzed in Afghanistan. Students and community members filled the auditorium to listen to Camargo's story. Camargo's wife, Gaby, right, also came along with last year's speaker, Lt. Col. Scott Mann. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Students at Golden Gate High School listen to Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, who spoke about his service and sacrifice to country while serving in the U.S. Army on Monday in the school's auditorium. Camargo was wounded while serving in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the neck down. He was brought in to speak by the schoo's history department to help the students understand why there's a Veteran's Day. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Leonard 'Taz' Leary of the Vietnam Brotherhood, pumps his fist in the air in support of Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, who spoke about his service in the U.S. Army to a packed auditorium at Golden Gate High School Monday. Camargo was wounded while serving in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the neck down. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Golden Gate High School student and ROTC staff sgt. Cindy Rivas, 18, center, thanks Romy Camargo, Special Forces Chief Warrants Officer, U.S. Army, for his service and sacrifice to country Monday after Camargo spoke to students in the high school auditorium. Camargo was wounded while serving in Afghanistan and was brought in by the school's history department to help students understand why there's a Veteran's Day. Michel Fortier/Staff


Full gallery »Riverside Park in Bonita Springs Tuesday for Veterans Day services

  • Proving one is never too old to wave the American Flag, 11-month-old Lilly Buzzell displays the colors outside her stroller Tuesday at Riverside park where she and several hundred others gathered to honor Veterans Day. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Hat to chest, a veteran covers his heart while saying the Pledge of Allegiance Tuesday during Veterans Day services at Riverside Park in Bonita. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Cade Dolqueist, 5, left, and his brother Reed Dolqueist, 1, right, plant the American Flag at Riverside Park Tuesday during Veterans Day services. Their father, Dave Dolqueist, is a veteran who served in both the first Persian Gulf War and Somalia with the U.S. Marine Corps. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Korean War veteran Don Kelly of Bonita Springs holds an American Flag during Veterans Day services at Riverside Park on Tuesday. Hundreds of veterans, family members and members of the community converged on Riverside Park to honor men and women who served in the armed forces. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Frank Barletta, who served in the 2nd Infantry Division, European front in WWII, salutes during the National Anthem Tuesday at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The city honored men and women who served in the armed forces Tuesday morning at Riverside Park with a Veterans Day service. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from troop and pack 109 in Bonita Springs do their best to salute in the bright sun Tuesday during a Veterans Day service at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. Michel Fortier/Staff.

Riverside Park in Bonita Springs Tuesday for Veterans Day services.



Full gallery »Marco Island marks Veterans Day

  • Scenes from the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Marco Island cemetery.
  • Scenes from the Veterans Day ceremony held at Marco Island's cemetery.
  • Iraq veteran Chris Quinton talks with a fellow Post 6370 veteran.
  • Scenes from the Veterans Day ceremony held at Marco Island's cemetery.
  • Scenes from the Veterans Day ceremony held at Marco Island's cemetery.
  • Scenes from the Veterans Day ceremony held at Marco Island's cemetery.

Members of local organizations and scores of civilians with military ties joined VFW Post 6370 members for a ceremony at the Marco Island cemetery. Afterward, a number of Vets were honored at Tommie Barfield Elementary by students singing patriotic songs



Full gallery »Veterans Day at Cambier Park

  • A veteran pins a flower to his uniform during the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Members of the JROTC wait for the ceremony before the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008.
  • Don Mielke, a veteran in the army who served from 1960-65 sheds a tear before the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008.
  • A veteran stands at attention during the National anthem during the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008.
  • Paul Vinci, uncle of Spc. Richard Burress, who was killed in action in Iraq is overcome with emotion during the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008.
  • The Marine Cops League Ritual Team folds the flag during the Veterans Day memorial service at Cambier Park on Nov. 11, 2008.


Full gallery »2008 Arlington South

  • John Riccio, the organizer of Arlington South, creates a cross with the name of Brian Slavenas, 30, who was killed in Iraq, for a woman to take with her back to Illinois to give to Slavenas' mother. Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups erected the field of crosses representing the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war in Iraq. The display, called Arlington South, will be on the beach near Naples Pier, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
  • Pat McCallum searches for the name of Brian Slavenas, 30, on one of the crosses at Arlington South in Naples. Slavenas is the son of an acquaintance who was killed in the war in Iraq. Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups will erected the crosses representing the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war. The display will be on the beach near Naples Pier, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
  • John Riccio, the organizer of Arlington South, creates a cross with the name of Brian Slavenas, 30, who was killed in Iraq, for a woman to take with her back to Illinois to give to Slavenas' mother. Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups erected the field of crosses representing the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war in Iraq. The display, called Arlington South, will be on the beach near Naples Pier, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
  • Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups will erect a field of crosses representing the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war in Iraq. The display, called Arlington South, will be on the beach near Naples Pier, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
  • Pat McCallum searches for the name of Brian Slavenas, 30, on one of the crosses at Arlington South in Naples. Slavenas is the son of an acquaintance who was killed in the war in Iraq. Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups will erected the crosses representing the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war. The display will be on the beach near Naples Pier, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
  • Kaelyn Calloway, 4, places an American flag and a flower on to a cross at Arlington South on Tuesday at the Naples Pier. 'We've explained why there's a cross and a flag,' said Calloway's grandma Cheri Peacock, a Naples resident who is married to a retired U.S. Navy officer. 'Hopefully she'll grow up understanding what a sacrifice it is.' Representatives from Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Broward for Peace, Social Action Committee of Fort Myers, and other groups erected the crosses that represent the 4,193 American soldiers killed in the war in Iraq. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff


Full gallery »WWII Veteran Gregory Good

  • Naples resident Gregory Good, 92, piloted 30 bombing missions in the European Theater of World War II, missions that averaged a 40-percent survival rate. Good is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the U.S.'s oldest aviation medal. David Albers/ Staff
  • The Air Medal is one of several decorations Gregory Good, 92, received from his 30 missions flown in the European Theater of World War II. Good is also the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the U.S.'s oldest aviation medal. David Albers/Staff
  • Gregory Good, who is now 92-years-old and living in Naples, is photographed by a B-17 Flying Fortress in England in 1944. Photo courtesy of Gregory Good.
  • Gregory Good, who is now 92-years-old and living in Naples, is photographed by a B-17 Flying Fortress in England in 1944. Photo courtesy of Gregory Good.
  • Aerial photo of a bombing mission from Naples resident Gregory Good's 30 missions flown in the European Theater of World War II. Photo courtesy of Gregory Good.
  • Flak cannon explosions surround the B-17 Flying Fortresses during a bombing mission during one of Naples resident Gregory Good's 30 missions flown in the European Theater of World War II. Photo courtesy of Gregory Good.

Naples resident Gregory Good, 92, flew 30 missions in the European Theater of World War II.



Full gallery »Sgt. William Patrick Rudd killed in action

  • The day after funeral services were held for her son, Pam Coakley embraces a friend at the cemetery where her son was buried. Rudd was killed in action in Mosul, Iraq, on Oct. 5, 2008, one month before his was to turn 28.
  • Pam Coakley, Sgt William Patrick Rudd and his father Bill Rudd of Madisonville Ky. Rudd was killed in action on October 5, 2008 in Mosul Iraq.
  • Pam Coakley holds her son months after his birth. Patrick Rudd was nine weeks premature. At the time of his birth his mother could hold him in the palm of her hand. He weighed 3 pounds, three ounces.
  • Patrick Rudd of Madisonville, Ky.
  • Pam Coakley of Madisonville, Ky. holds her 1-year-old son Patrick Rudd.
  • Patrick Rudd with his mother, Pam Coakley, of Madisonville, Ky. Rudd was a sergeant in the Army and was killed in action on Oct. 5, 2008

Sgt William Patrick Rudd was killed in action on Oct. 5, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq.




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