(Look for photo slideshow at the end of this article)
About 450 residents came to the Estero Community Park on a very hot afternoon to pay tribute to all of our veterans, active military, first responders and Gold Star parents.
District 7 Councilmember George Zalucki, co-chair of the event along with District 5 Councilmember Rafael Lopez, served as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Jon McLain welcomed the crowd and former mayor Katy Errington spoke of her personal experience as a Gold Star Mother.
There was a presentation of colors by the Estero JROTC and the featured speaker Dr. Debbie Lux, founder of the Collier-Lee Honor Flight, described their mission to transport local veterans to Washington, DC, to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service.
Throughout the program, Estero concert artist Lindsey Graham performed moving patriotic songs. At one point, she sang the Armed Forces Medley, calling all those who served in the military to come forward and the numbers were impressive. There were twice the number of patriots attend this year.
The event had something for everyone…bounce houses and face painting for children, an American classic & muscle car show displaying 50 cars for auto enthusiasts, free hot dogs, chips & cookies served by the Tidewater Veterans Club, free ice cream provided by the Lee County Ice Cream Response Team, patriotic and pop songs by Lindsey Graham and the New Horizons of Southwest Florida Children’s Choir which gave an enthusiastic and touching rendition of “Proud to be an American.”
This special event came together with the help of many volunteers from our community, including: Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce, Estero Forever Foundation, Engage Estero, Estero Historical Society, Interfaith Charities, Lee County Library System, Strength in Honor Charities, Tidewater Veterans Club, Lee Corp Homes, O’Donnell Landscaping, Boy Scouts Troop 101/1101, Girl Scouts, Estero High School, Estero Fire Rescue, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Village of Estero.