{"id":276326,"date":"2026-05-19T09:26:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T09:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276326\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:26:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T09:26:31","slug":"honor-the-fallen-florida-weekly-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276326\/","title":{"rendered":"Honor the fallen – Florida Weekly"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Coral Ridge Cemetery in Cape Coral is among several Southwest Florida locations with Memorial Day tributes planned to honor the heroism and sacrifices made on behalf of the U.S. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n

Solitary bells will ring, pipes and drums will play, as Southwest Floridians and Americans nationwide recognize Memorial Day on Monday, May 25 honoring the men and women who served this country and died for our freedom. Events are planned throughout Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and up to Charlotte County and beyond.\n<\/p>\n

For individuals looking to gather in remembrance, each city has something inspiring to offer. For those looking to join a lighthearted event in celebration of the unofficial start to summer, many communities have simple holiday fun planned outside the scope of honoring veterans. Somber remembrance and festive jubilation stand arm in arm this uniquely American holiday.\n<\/p>\n

In Bonita Springs, A Memorial Day Celebration is planned for the Liles Hotel Lawn, 27300 Old 41 Road, beginning at 9 a.m., Monday May 25. Keynote speaker for the event is Ray Sandelli, a former Lee County Commissioner and U.S. Navy pilot, who served during the Middle East War in 1973, the Cyprus Conflict in 1974 and as a Blue Angels demonstration pilot from 1977 through 1978.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cUsually, when I attend these types of events, there is someone in uniform standing next to me with a lot of stars and rank,\u201d Sandelli said. \u201cI was just a lieutenant,\u201d he adds.\n<\/p>\n

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Liles Hotel in Bonita Springs is the site of one of Southwest Florida\u2019s Memorial Day services to honor veterans who sacrificed their lives for the United States. -DAVID WISHTISCHIN \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n

He is well-known locally for his service in public office. Being asked to speak at Bonita Springs\u2019 Memorial Day event is humbling, he said.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the right words?\u201d Sandelli wondered, aloud. \u201cI know I want to acknowledge that Memorial Day is about loss of life, and I keep coming back to time. There never seems to be enough time in this life.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The former Blue Angels pilot reflects on soldiers whose lives were taken too soon, how those soldiers missed out on having children, or not, and on growing old. The families of fallen soldiers miss out as well.\n<\/p>\n

Sandelli is deeply tanned. His green eyes flash when he speaks, and for every minute he has lived life on this earth, he has lived fully, outdoors, with his wife Jan and three grown children, as a servant to the community.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in college, my father called me and said I had better come home. So, I did. Home wasn\u2019t too far. My father took me to the funeral home, and I had to look at the body of our former neighbor.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Sandelli\u2019s childhood neighbor, Chip Patrone, was killed in Vietnam at the age of 20. Sandelli intends to remind fellow citizens of the sacrifices made by soldiers like Chip Patrone.\n<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Collier County Veterans Council has organized a Memorial Day Service at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue N., beginning at 10 a.m., Monday, May 25. A musical prelude will be performed at 9:30 a.m. by the Pine Ridge Middle School Symphonic Band. The Sheriff\u2019s Office Honor Guard will be present. Local speakers and patriotic music are planned for the event.\n<\/p>\n

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Marco Island Vietnam War Memorial rendering of the work in progress. -COURTESY IMAGE<\/p>\n

Marco Island, too, will host an event at Veteran\u2019s Community Park, 901 Park Ave., Marco Island, starting at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year we will have the honor guard. We will also ring a fire bell, one time for each veteran who was part of our post who passed this year,\u201d planned John Apolzan, retired Army Sergeant and current Commander of Marco Island American Legion Post 404.\n<\/p>\n

Apolzan is focused on a much larger event scheduled for this fall on Veteran\u2019s Day, though he emphasized the somber importance of Memorial Day and taking time to specifically \u201chonor those honorable men and women who lost their lives before or after serving their country.\u201d He added, \u201cWe will be dedicating our Marco Island Vietnam War Memorial in November, to specifically honor those who served in Vietnam.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Delivery of six statues, which will be placed in Veteran\u2019s Park, could occur as soon as June, Apolzan said. However, he has invited Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials to the official dedication in November. Each statue is an authentic representation of an American soldier and will be permanently placed at Veteran\u2019s Community Park. Apolzan said donations are still being accepted for this world class monument. Checks, made payable to American Legion Post 404, should be mailed to: Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL 34145.\n<\/p>\n

Fort Myers and Cape Coral have multiple events planned to commemorate Memorial Day. The annual service at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday May 25. This event often includes a military flyover, but details were unavailable at the time of this printing.\n<\/p>\n

In Cape Coral, Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Blvd. S., will host its 42nd annual Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. Prior to Monday\u2019s events, on Saturday May 23, at 8 a.m., volunteers will place flags over the graves of veterans buried at Memorial Gardens. Also in The Cape, the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum, 4522 Del Prado Avenue, will host a remembrance gathering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include the ringing of a ship\u2019s bell to honor the fallen. Food will accompany the event.\n<\/p>\n

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Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

Much like their neighbors, Punta Gorda has moments of remembrance planned for Memorial Day. The town\u2019s most moving monument \u2013 established on behalf of the veteran\u2019s community of Southwest Florida \u2013 is The Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida, located in Laishley Park, at 100 Nesbit Street.\n<\/p>\n

Dick Carr, a fighter pilot who served three tours in Vietnam is president of the nonprofit charged with the care of Punta Gorda\u2019s Vietnam Memorial Wall.\n<\/p>\n

Carr paused for nearly a minute before stating what Memorial Day means to him.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are 58,323 names on that wall. Friends of mine. Acquaintances of mine,\u201d the 88-year-old shared. \u201cBut I learned, after guiding family members to the names of their loved ones on this wall, that there are not 58,323 names. Instead, there are 58,323 stories. Stories of people we lost. And no two stories are the same. Memorial Day, of course, is the day when we honor those stories.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

In a follow-up conversation, County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch revealed, \u201cIt is General Dick Carr. He doesn\u2019t always say the General part. He was an Ace \u2013 quite the pilot in his day.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

General Carr added that he hopes people will attend a Memorial Day remembrance at the Military Heritage Museum, \u201cwhich is just a mile down the road from our wall.\u201d The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 11:30 a.m., 900 West Marion Avenue, Building B. The museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday May 25.\n<\/p>\n

While each community plans recognition ceremonies for America\u2019s military \u2013 for the sacrifice of fallen soldiers and their families -the holiday weekend will also be marked by revelry and Bar-B-Que! In Cape Coral, at the German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Rd., the All-American Country BBQ will kick-off Sunday May 24 at noon and run until 8 p.m. Active duty and retired military personnel enter for free. Attendees, over the age of 12, must pay $5 dollars at the gate. This patriotic celebration boasts an all-ages event with great food, cold beer and live music!\n<\/p>\n

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Ray Sandelli, Navy Veteran, is the keynote speaker for The Memorial Day Event in Bonita Springs on the Liles Hotel lawn. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT \/ FLORIDA WEEKLY<\/p>\n

Over the river in Fort Myers, for the 21 plus crowd, the Memorial Weekend Bar Crawl is planned for May 23. Crawlers will begin at The Standard, 1520 Broadway, in downtown Fort Myers Saturday at 4 p.m. A spokesperson for The Standard said details for the Bar Crawl are currently being finalized.\n<\/p>\n

For a relaxing way to spend Memorial Day in Naples, active and retired service members my visit Naples Botanical Garden with free admission on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.\n<\/p>\n

Food and Thought 2 will host live music, games and an outdoor bar, beginning 11 a.m., Monday, May 25, at 7941 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples.\n<\/p>\n

Sandelli, Apolzan and Carr are area veterans who have stated that they each plan to honor fallen soldiers \u2013 heroes and friends \u2013 this Memorial Day. In addition to loss and honoring lives, Memorial Day may also be a reminder of just how good it feels to be part of something. In communities throughout Southwest Florida, opportunities will be abundant on Memorial Day for anyone who wishes to be part of something bigger than oneself.\n<\/p>\n

As Sandelli stated, \u201cLet\u2019s not forget what Memorial Day is really about. It is about loss. It is about remembering.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

In The KNOW:\n<\/p>\n

Memorial Day ceremonies held throughout Southwest Florida include:\n<\/p>\n

Bonita Springs: A Memorial Day Celebration is planned for the Liles Hotel Lawn, 27300 Old 41 Road, beginning at 9 a.m., Monday May 25.
\nCollier County Veterans Council: A Memorial Day Service is scheduled at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue N., Naples, beginning at 10 a.m., Monday, May 25, with a musical prelude at 9:30 a.m. by the Pine Ridge Middle School Symphonic Band.
\nVeteran\u2019s Community Park, 901 Park Ave., Marco Island, hosts a Memorial Day event starting at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25.
\nFort Myers Memorial Gardens: 1589 Colonial Blvd, ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25.
\nBenefit the Marco Island Vietnam War Memorial: Mail checks payable to American Legion Post 404 to: Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL 34145.
\nCape Coral, Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery: At 950 Chiquita Blvd. S., the 42nd annual Memorial Day service begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25.
\nCoral Ridge Cemetery: On Saturday May 23, at 8 a.m., volunteers will place flags over the graves of veterans buried at Memorial Gardens.
\nBrotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum: 4522 Del Prado Avenue, will host a remembrance gathering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, May 25.
\nVietnam Wall of Southwest Florida: Visit the Memorial located in Laishley Park, at 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda.
\nMilitary Heritage Museum: Honor Memorial Day at 11:30 a.m., 900 West Marion Avenue, Building B. The Museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday May 25.
\nAmerica\u2019s Military and First Responders Museum: Visit the museum located in Collier County Government Complex, 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coral Ridge Cemetery in Cape Coral is among several Southwest Florida locations with Memorial Day tributes planned to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":276327,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-276326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=276326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/276327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=276326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=276326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=276326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}