WWII vets receive tribute during Spirit event
They arrived and departed via special trolley service. In between those times, they were commemorated for their service to their country.
Roughly 40 World War II veterans received “a special tribute at Crescent Beach Family Park on Sunday at Fort Myers Beach’s inaugural Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive event. It was a fitting salute to heroes of a global military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and ended on a day (Aug. 14) that marked the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Before the event at the county-owned park on Estero Island, those distinguished members of the armed services were treated to a benefit dinner at Pincher’s Crab Shack at 18100 San Carlos Blvd.
“You are truly the ones that traveled the furthest to get here,” said FMB Mayor Larry Kiker, the event’s master of ceremonies. “Across the nation and here locally, we join many others in the nation that are gathering today at this moment to honor our vets. Congress unanimously voted in support of establishing the second Sunday of every August as Spirit of ’45 Day to honor the legacy of the World War II generation. We must always remember the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
After the Color Guard marched in, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 9 Chaplain Allen Brown read an Opening Prayer and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. FMB Town Manager Terry Stewart sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Kiker called upon Councilwoman Jo List to read the Proclamation Letter and present it to event regional coordinator Eryka Appaker.
” Therefore, the Town of Fort Myers Beach hereby proclaims Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011 as Spirit of ’45 Day,” List read.
Councilman Joe Kosinski, one of the event coordinators along with Bob Enger and Appaker, spoke on the significance of the Laying of Wreath ceremony being performed by the US Coast Guard officials and escorted by “Wreaths Across America” Flotilla, which took the wreath out to sea. He asked everyone to take a moment to remember the 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country during World War II.
“We are here today to make certain our World War II veterans are not forgotten and to draw strength and inspiration from their example of national unity, cooperation, service and selflessness as we face the challenges of today and the future,” said Kosinski. “We must not only remember their service and their sacrifice, we must pledge ourselves to continue their legacy.”
Seven members of a local Honor Guard presented a 21-gun salute which was followed by the Bonita Springs (American Legion) Post 303 playing “Taps.”
Area sponsors/contributors who helped make the event possible included Lee County Parks & Recreation; Lee County Sheriff’s Office; Lee County Veterans Services; Fort Myers Beach Fire Department; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of Fort Myers Beach; Lee County Board of Commissioners; LeeTran; American Legion Post 303 of Bonita Springs; VFW Post 4254 of Bonita Springs; VFW Post 8463 of Cape Coral; AmVets of Bonita Springs; American Legion Post 123 of Sanibel-Captiva; American Legion Post 38 of Fort Myers; American Red Cross of Fort Myers; Costco; AmTrust Bank of Naples; SuEllen’s Floral Company; Boy Scouts of America; and Cub Scouts of America.
Unfortunately, a planned fly-over by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department was cancelled due to weather at the Lehigh takeoff area. Bronze Star recipient Ret. Sgt. James R. Matlack was also unable to receive his medal at the ceremony due to a medical condition.