The community will have the chance to recognize U.S. military service members next week.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put it on to honor the veterans on Sanibel and in the community and those who have fallen over the last year,\u201d chapter President and American Legion Post 123 Cmdr. Tim Moore said. \u201cWe believe it\u2019s important \u2014 we believe every veteran should be recognized on Veterans Day for their sacrifices.\u201d<\/p>\n
Led by Director Melissa Calkin, the BIG ARTS Concert Band will perform before the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to be playing patriotic, all American music,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Honor Guard.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
There will be the remembrance of those lost with the chair of honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n
Local dignitaries in attendance will recognized, including the Sanibel City Council, City Manager Dana Souza, Sanibel Police Chief William \u201cBill\u201d 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\u2019s workforce will be recognized.<\/p>\n
Members of the Sanibel school\u2019s Seahorse Chorale will perform.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to perform some patriotic songs,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be a medley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter member and retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Susan Sablan will deliver the Veterans Day address.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always want to hear from a veteran and what they\u2019ve done,\u201d Moore said, explaining that the chapter asked her to be this year\u2019s speaker. \u201cWe thought her background is pretty interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 1977, Sablan received her commission from the U.S. Naval Academy \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
Sablan is also a naval parachutist and attended the U.S. Army\u2019s Jump School in Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1979. Her certifications include Project Manager (expired), ITIL (Foundations) and SHRM-CP.<\/p>\n
Following Sablan\u2019s address, the BIG ARTS Concert Band will lead attendees in a sing-a-long.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be all the service songs, so it\u2019ll be six,\u201d he said, noting that there will also be Americana tunes.<\/p>\n
The final roll call will be held for the following service members lost in the past year: U.S. Navy William \u201cBill\u201d Boswell, U.S. Army Rocco \u201cRocky\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The special recognition for service to county and community will take place.<\/p>\n
Moore explained that it entails attendees sharing their own stories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll remember something about their service or they\u2019ll, a lot of times, talk about how proud they were to serve,\u201d he said. \u201cSometimes they\u2019ll talk about friends who were with them who didn\u2019t make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The celebration will conclude with the playing of \u201cTaps\u201d and Moore\u2019s closing remarks.<\/p>\n
Billy\u2019s Rentals will provide water bottles for attendees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Billy, for providing the water,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
The community is encouraged to come out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe veterans, especially the ones on Sanibel, are interwoven in the fabric of our community,\u201d Moore said. \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to recognize their service that provided the freedoms that we have today.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information, contact Moore at col.tbmoore@gmail.com or Sanibel Recreation Department Marketing & Events Coordinator Denise Dillon at denise.dillon@mysanibel.com.<\/p>\n
City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n
\u2026..<\/p>\n
IF YOU GO<\/p>\n
What<\/p>\n
Annual Veterans Day Celebration<\/p>\n
When<\/p>\n
Nov. 11 starting at 10:55 a.m.<\/p>\n
Where<\/p>\n
Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel<\/p>\n
Details<\/p>\n
Free and open to public<\/p>\n