Report posted for Bud Stilwell

SWF Naples Memorial Day Event

 

This Memorial Day started out bright and sunny as we met at Naples H.D. around 0800. There were member’s from various group’s there, Freedom Eagles, Warriors Watch Riders, ABATE of Florida Gator Alley Chapter, Paradise Coast Chapter HOG, & CMA all coming together to Remember & Honor the Men and Women who have paid the ultimate price from 1775 to 2010 for 235 years of independence that we have here in the  United States of America.

 Following a ride briefing by the Freedom Riders we headed out of Naples H.D at 0900, and made a right turn on Pine Ridge Road. 75 bikes, some doubled up on forming two long lines as we headed out to the Naples Memorial Gardens Cemetery for the 0930 LZ landing and the start of the Memorial Day ceremony presented by the Collier County Veterans Council. Barron Collier High School Symphonic Band under the direction of Kelly Parker preformed the music for the day and did an outstanding job as usual.

 James Elson Captain (Ret.) US Army did the Welcome, and the Invocation & Benediction was done by J. Hamby Barton Chaplain, US Navy (Ret.).  Taps was preformed by Robert McDonald, Sergeant US Army Air Corps (Ret.).  There were re-enactors in every uniform from 1775-2010 there representing the “Soldiers of the Past” from the Collier County Museum.

 Memorial Wreath’s were presented by the American Legion Post 135, Peter Kraley, Dir.of Veterans Services for Collier County and the Barron Collier High School Band Bagpippers.

 In All it was a very moving day and the 3rd year that the WWR has been represented at this Memorial Ceremony and it will not be the last.

 Thanks goes to Naples Daily News for the Photo!