Pomp and circumstance was the order of the day at the Fort Myers Beach Coast Guard Station yesterday morning during a change of command ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutter “Marlin”. WGCU’s Tyrone Martin was there and has this report.

Better education benefits for Florida service members are caught in a Congressional fight over how to pay for them. Jodi Breisler (Brice-lur) reports from Capitol Hill.

For those who serve at Florida’s newest veterans’ cemetery, remembrance of the nation’s military men and women lasts longer than one Monday at the end of May. Chris DiMattei reports.

For those who serve at Florida’s newest veterans’ cemetery, remembrance of the nation’s military men and women lasts longer than one Monday at the end of May. Chris DiMattei reports.

Hundreds of people turned out Thursday in Punta Gorda to remember Eric Hall. The body of the 24-year-old former Marine was discovered Sunday in a drainage culvert – just a short distance from where he went missing February 3rd. WGCU’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.

The search for a missing Marine is over. The body found Sunday in a drainage culvert in Charlotte County has been identified as Eric Hall. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Hundreds of people gathered in Orlando’s Lake Eola Park this weekend to demand an end to the Iraq war. Orlando was one of eleven cities around the country that held coordinated peace rallies on Saturday. Judith Smelser was there and has this report.

Thirty two veterans were reconized in Naples Wednesday for the roles they played in liberating Europe from Nazi domination during World War II. Allied landings on Normandy beaches on what would come to be known as "D-Day" are now considered the turning point of the war fought on three continents and many fronts. WGCU's Christine Buckley was at the ceremony and has this story.

Many southwest Floridians enjoyed some time off Monday in honor of Memorial Day. Some went boating or beaching or shopping, or to the movies. Many others turned out at numerous Memorial Day services to honor the nation’s fallen soldiers. Hundreds of people – many aided by walkers, wheel chairs and canes – attended the annual day of Remembrance at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. Producer Valerie Alker was there and prepared this audio postcard.


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We heard from Dorian Gullage, Janine Deems, Bob Scott, Clem Concadora, Mary Lou Lock, Ralph Coltman, Chaplain David Goins, Jonathan Frantz and Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott. Lori Jerabeck sang the National Anthem.

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

The Veterans Council of Collier County is holding a ceremony at 9:30 am Monday at Naples Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery at 525 111th Avenue in North Naples. 239-298-7935.

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The Lexington Country Club Veterans Association is celebrating at 10:30 am Monday at 16225 Willow Crest Way. 239-437-1442.

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American Legion Post 323 and VFW Post 4174 will have a service at 11 am Monday at Lee Memorial Park on State Road 82.

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A field of nearly 3500 white crosses will be erected starting at 7 am Monday on the beach at Naples Pier at 12th Avenue South. Called Arlington South, the memorial remembers the soldiers killed in Iraq. At noon, taps will be played, and the soldiers’ names and ages will be read. 239-649-6863

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The Memorial Day ceremony in Bonita Springs starts at 9 am Monday at Riverside Park. 239-949-6262.

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American Legion Post 103 in Punta Gorda, and VFW Post 5690 in Port Charlotte, will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at Restlawn Memorial Gardens at 11 am Monday at 1380 Forrest Nelson Boulevard in Port Charlotte. 941-639-6337.

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American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte is holding a ceremony and parade Monday in front of the post at 3152 Harbor Boulevard at 10 am. 941-629-7446.

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American Legion Post 254 in North Port, and North Port VFW Post 8203’s Memorial Day service is at 11 am Monday at Memorial Park at U.S. 41 and Biscayne Drive with the North Port. 941-423-7311.

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American Legion Post 159 in Venice will hold a Memorial Day service at 10 am today at the post at 1770 E. Venice Ave. 941-485-4748 or 941-484-8118.

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The DeSoto County Veterans Service will hold a Memorial Day commemoration service to honor DeSoto County's fallen soldiers at 11 am at the DeSoto County Courthouse Veterans' Memorial in Arcadia. 863-993-4858.

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Clyde Lassen VFW Post 10178 in Englewood is holding a service at 9 am at Gulf Pines Memorial Park on 2401 Englewood Road. 941-474-7516.