Collier County honors Veterans Day with ceremonies, salutes and flags

For Rick LoCastro, a retired Air Force colonel and Collier County commissioner, Thursday was all about honoring and celebrating veterans.  

“Let's all remember Veterans Day is about celebrating and thanking those who have served, and those who continue to sacrifice and serve,” LoCastro said. “Be thankful for the true heroes who repeatedly ensure our biggest victories of all.”  

LoCastro was joined by hundreds of community members, including many veterans and their families, at Veterans Day events Thursday in Collier County.  

Both events were organized by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7721 in Golden Gate and took place at the VFW’s post and at the Village Walk community in North Naples.  

“Thanks to all of you for celebrating our country's true heroes and role models,” LoCastro said. “Always remember this is an amazing, free country, and it's amazing and free because of our veterans and their families. Thank you and Happy Veterans Day.”  

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Many attendees at Village Walk were dressed in red, white and blue as they listened to public officials speak.  

The event included a flyover, flag presentation, singing of the National Anthem, Rifle Honor Salute, honoring of 13 service members killed in Afghanistan, flag folding, poems and a pinning ceremony for many of the veterans.    

Florida Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, spoke about the sacrifice service members make while serving. 

“Our service members and their families make a tremendous sacrifice to ensure the strength and security of our nation,” Passidomo said. “The spouses and children of active service members also play a key role to ensure our military members can and will protect and support our freedoms.”  

Veterans come from many walks of like but all share the same fundamental qualities of courage, pride, determination and selflessness, Paddisomo said.  

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, said he will be introducing legislation in the next few weeks to officially codify the 13 Folds of Honor flag-folding ceremony that many veterans groups have traditionally used.  

“It's been adopted by the veterans community to recognize the meaning of the flag and service to our country,” Diaz-Balart said.  

After the event at Village Walk, the Veterans Day celebration continued with a barbecue and more ceremonies honoring local veterans at the Golden Gate VFW post.  

Diaz-Balart and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Naples, presented two Collier County veterans with the Congressional Veteran Commendation award.  

Chris Walters, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years, and Eddie Hartnack, who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, were the recipients.  

“Like all of you, they fought for freedom and continue to stand,” Scott said. “They continue to sacrifice.” 

After retiring from the Marines, Walters entered the private sector as an attorney.  

“He (Walters) works to give back to the veterans with legal help pro bono and connects them with services they need,” Scott said.  

Hartnack joined Collier County Veterans Services to help out fellow veterans after retiring from the U.S. Army. 

"Eddie is known for going above and beyond, and I have not doubt his efforts have impacted hundreds of lives,” Scott said.  

For Walters, receiving the Congressional Veteran Commendation award was an honor.  

“I am so honored,” Walters said. “Naples has so many true war heroes and distinguished veterans. For me to receive this honor it's a total privilege and very humbling.”