The community will have the chance to recognize U.S. military service members next week.
In partnership with the city of Sanibel, the MG James L. Dozier Lee Coast Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will host the Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11 at 10:55 a.m. at the flagpole at City Hall. Music will take place at 10:45 a.m. ahead of the program.
“We put it on to honor the veterans on Sanibel and in the community and those who have fallen over the last year,” chapter President and American Legion Post 123 Cmdr. Tim Moore said. “We believe it’s important — we believe every veteran should be recognized on Veterans Day for their sacrifices.”
Led by Director Melissa Calkin, the BIG ARTS Concert Band will perform before the start.
“They’re going to be playing patriotic, all American music,” he said.
Opening the program, Moore will provide the welcome. Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 1740 will then raise the flag at 11 a.m., with the help of the Sanibel Police Department’s Honor Guard.
The Pledge of Allegiance will led by The Sanibel School National Junior Honor Society President Mason Fase, followed by the national anthem sung by Linda Goebelt. The invocation will be offered by the Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea, senior minister with the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ.
There will be the remembrance of those lost with the chair of honor.
“The chair of honor is a table or chair set aside for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives or who are still missing in action,” Moore said.
Local dignitaries in attendance will recognized, including the Sanibel City Council, City Manager Dana Souza, Sanibel Police Chief William “Bill” Dalton and Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot. Mayor Mike Miller will offer a few remarks, then the military veterans among the city’s workforce will be recognized.
Members of the Sanibel school’s Seahorse Chorale will perform.
“They’re going to perform some patriotic songs,” he said. “It’ll be a medley.”
Chapter member and retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Susan Sablan will deliver the Veterans Day address.
“We always want to hear from a veteran and what they’ve done,” Moore said, explaining that the chapter asked her to be this year’s speaker. “We thought her background is pretty interesting.”
In 1977, Sablan received her commission from the U.S. Naval Academy — the second class to graduate women. Her Naval career included a variety of leadership and information technology (IT) related assignments, culminating in command. At the pinnacle of it, Sablan was the commanding officer and director of the Communications Security Material System in Washington, D.C., until 2000. Until her retirement, she was assigned to the United States Transportation Command, where she supported the Crisis Action Team after 9/11. Sablan retired from the Navy as a commander in 2003.
Her personal awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards).
Sablan is also a naval parachutist and attended the U.S. Army’s Jump School in Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1979. Her certifications include Project Manager (expired), ITIL (Foundations) and SHRM-CP.
Following Sablan’s address, the BIG ARTS Concert Band will lead attendees in a sing-a-long.
“It’ll be all the service songs, so it’ll be six,” he said, noting that there will also be Americana tunes.
The final roll call will be held for the following service members lost in the past year: U.S. Navy William “Bill” Boswell, U.S. Army Rocco “Rocky” Cantalupo, U.S. Navy Thomas Brennan Gillis Sr., U.S. Air Force Bert Lee Jenks, U.S. Army Andrew Kraus and U.S. Navy Joseph Carmen Venuto.
The special recognition for service to county and community will take place.
Moore explained that it entails attendees sharing their own stories.
“They’ll remember something about their service or they’ll, a lot of times, talk about how proud they were to serve,” he said. “Sometimes they’ll talk about friends who were with them who didn’t make it.”
The celebration will conclude with the playing of “Taps” and Moore’s closing remarks.
Billy’s Rentals will provide water bottles for attendees.
“Thank you, Billy, for providing the water,” he said, adding that the chapter is very appreciative of everyone taking part in the event and those who helped make the celebration possible this year.
The community is encouraged to come out.
“The veterans, especially the ones on Sanibel, are interwoven in the fabric of our community,” Moore said. “It’s important for us to recognize their service that provided the freedoms that we have today.”
For more information, contact Moore at col.tbmoore@gmail.com or Sanibel Recreation Department Marketing & Events Coordinator Denise Dillon at denise.dillon@mysanibel.com.
City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Veterans Day Celebration
When
Nov. 11 starting at 10:55 a.m.
Where
Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email