Fort Myers HOA does not like Vietnam veteran's memorial on his garage?

Skirmish at Florida community over a Vietnam War memorial mural settled ... unhappily

Fort Myers News-Press
Michael Braun
May 7, 2019

A skirmish between residents and management at a North Fort Myers development in Florida involving a memorial to the Vietnam War ended peacefully if not unhappily Tuesday.

The issue arose seemingly overnight when residents of the Del Tura Golf and Country Club began talking on social media sites about a mural on a garage door painted in black and depicting a Vietnam War-era soldier kneeling before a cross with a helicopter flying in the background.

Community officials sent Bob Masson, 71, a Vietnam War vet and the mural's owner, a letter asking him to remove the depiction. Apparently there also had been a complaint.

"It feels like I've been kicked in the head," Masson said. "It feels like (his service in the war) meant nothing right now. It meant a lot to us when we were over there."
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Dad of Missing Fort Myers Marine Asks For Prayers

Missing Marine's dad asks for prayers; search suspended
News Press
Stacey Henson
January 20, 2016

The father of Marine Cpl. Thomas Jardas, of Fort Myers, says the

search for his son off the coast of Hawaii will likely end tonight.

Thomas and 11 other Marines are missing after a Thursday

helicopter crash. (Photo: Courtesy of the Thomas Jardas family.)

A few days ago, Tim Jardas was encouraging his son to see the world.

Today, he's asking for prayers. Cpl. Thomas Jardas, 22, of Fort Myers, is one of 12 Marines missing after a helicopter crash off the coast of Hawaii late Thursday.

Officials suspended the five-day search for the Marines on Tuesday night. The Marine Corps is transitioning to "recovery and salvage efforts."

Tim Jardas could not be reached for comment Tuesday night, but earlier in the day the father sounded resigned.

"Our faith is getting us through this, and I need people to pray for us," he said. "I know my boy is in Heaven, but the rest of the family still needs the prayers."
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PTSD Veteran Getting Help After 3 Hour Standoff WIth Police

Armed Army vet with PTSD gets help after barricading self
ABC 7 News Fort Myers
Posted: Jul 07, 2015

After confirming the vet suffers from PTSD, negotiators built a rapport with the man and after three hours were able to coax him out safely.

An apartment complex was put on lockdown Tuesday after a Fort Myers Army veteran reportedly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder called police claiming someone was after him.

Fort Myers police responded to The Park at Venato off Winkler Avenue in reference to the man who reportedly barricaded himself with a gun inside one of the units Tuesday morning.

We are told the vet is now getting treatment and no charges are filed against him.

According to a resident, the man locked himself inside an apartment in building 3870 just before 9 a.m.
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Vietnam Veteran Wounded Twice

Fla. man gets equivalent of 2 Purple Hearts in 44 years
The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press
Chris Umpierre
April 25, 2014

(Photo: Courtesy of Richard Crawford)

Richard Crawford was injured in a war twice in his life, 40 years apart.

The Fort Myers, Fla., resident, now 67, was honored Friday at Camp Lejeune, N.C., with the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart.

Crawford's acceptance of the 2014 Defense of Freedom Medal, given annually to civilians killed or wounded while serving with the U.S. military, adds a capstone to his military career. Crawford received a 1970 Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.

"It's special because this makes it over 40 years between Purple Hearts," Crawford said. "There's an old adage: 'Once a Marine, always a Marine.' I think I raised the bar on that one."

At 61, the former Fort Myers Drug Enforcement Administration chief was talked out of retirement to serve as an embedded law- enforcement professional in Iraq. After a tour advising the Marines on investigating roadside bombs, Crawford was recruited again in 2010. This time, the military shipped the 64-year-old to Afghanistan.
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Soldier's Mom needs help finding missing son

Mom asks help to find soldier
Anyone with information urged to call military law enforcement
The Leaf-Chronicle
Written by Philip Grey
Jul. 18, 2013

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. — A mother and Fort Campbell law enforcement are looking for anyone with information in the case of a soldier, Spc. Brandon David Bertolo, 23, possibly missing since July 14.

Spc Brandon David Bertolo (center) has not reported to his unit or had contact with anyone since July 14. The soldier is stationed at Fort Campbell with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. / SUBMITTED

Anyone with information is urged to call military law enforcement at 270-956-4900 or contact Anita Flores at 512-663-9620. A flyer posted at several Facebook sites has an incorrect number for Flores.

Bertolo is 6’ 2” with brown hair and eyes. His home of record is Fort Myers, Fla.

He is driving what has been described as a powder-blue 2012 Lexus ES-type car. No license plate number is available at present.

He is stationed at Fort Campbell as a line medic with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team “Strike,” 101st Airborne Division.

Information for the family can be posted at a Facebook page, “Find Missing Soldier SPC Brandon David Bertolo.”
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“Vets Ride 4 PTSD” Bike Ride To Tallahassee To Raise Awareness

“Vets Ride 4 PTSD” Bike Ride To Tallahassee To Raise Awareness George Tice, a Desert Storm veteran who suffers from PTSD, is on a mission to raise awareness and funds for veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide among our military.
PRLog (Press Release)
Oct 25, 2012

George Tice, a Desert Storm veteran who suffers from PTSD, is on a mission to raise awareness and funds for veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide among our military. On Saturday, October 27 at 9 a.m., George Tice has committed to riding a bicycle over 480 miles to the state capital in Tallahassee. He will begin his weeklong journey at the American Legion Post 38 in Downtown Fort Myers at 9 a.m. A public press conference and short ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. prior to the ride including influential speakers from the community.

Tice hopes to encourage more aid for soldiers who suffer from PTSD. Presently, there are minimal resources and volunteers available to help those suffering from this widespread illness. He plans to meet with active duty family members, veterans and the public along the way to Tallahassee.
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Deplorable conditions for America's war heroes at Haley VA

WINK investigates VA hospital for poor conditions
Jul 16 2012

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A WINK News investigation team uncovered claims, almost two years ago, of dirty and deplorable conditions at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.

The family of injured Cape Coral soldier Corey Kent brought pictures to Senator Bill Nelson and demanded change.

The VA promised better care for veterans, but there are new claims the hospital is again neglecting to give veterans proper care. Those vets contacted the National Coalition for Patriots organization, who then contacted us.

We got our hands on the new pictures from inside the James A Haley VA hospital showing what the organization calls deplorable conditions for America's war heroes.

WINK News spoke to one vet and his wife on the phone Monday. For the past year, he's been treated at James A. Haley VA hospital. He says the conditions and his care are horrible and something's gotta change.
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Deputy's son killed in Fort Myers shooting

Deputy's son killed in Fort Myers shooting

Posted: Nov 30, 2011
By Joe Roetz, NBC2 Reporter

FORT MYERS, FL -
A man is dead after a shooting near Dunbar High School Wednesday.

Police say brothers Sharod and Keamon Hayes were in the backyard of 3759 Minnesota Drive when a car drove down Dupree Street, which dead-ends at the backyard.

A man got out, fired multiple shots, and then got back in the car and took off, according to police.

"I started hearing gunshots. At first I thought it was firecrackers," said neighbor Shirley Whitmore.

Sharod Hayes, 20, was killed, Keamon Hayes, 19, was wounded and was expected to survive.

The men are the sons of a sheriff's deputy, according to Fort Myers police.
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Collier Marine wounded in Iraq moves into donated Fort Myers home

Collier Marine wounded in Iraq moves into donated Fort Myers home
By KATY TORRALBAS
Posted March 13, 2011

FORT MYERS — Deep in the belly of the moving truck, Bobby Joseph lifts a military duffel onto his shoulder.

He carries it to the edge and drops it with a thump next to piles of pillows and storage boxes. The duffel is covered in place names written in black Sharpie. First on the list: “Recruiting station — Naples,” and on the bottom it says “Joseph — 3109,” his platoon in the United States Marine Corps.

On this afternoon in early March, Joseph is moving his family into a new house, thanks to a charity called the Military Warriors Support Foundation, created by JP Morgan Chase. After three years in a mentoring program, the home in Fort Myers will be put in Joseph’s name, mortgage-free.

Joseph, 29, signed up for military service six days after Sept. 11, 2001, and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A roadside bomb exploded into his legs in 2006 and today, about four and a half years later, he has a hitch in his step, a sometimes faulty memory and a Purple Heart.
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Collier Marine wounded in Iraq moves into donated Fort Myers home

Open house set Nov. 3 at Vet Center in Fort Myers

Open house set Nov. 3 at Vet Center in Fort Myers

In advance of Veterans Day, the Fort Myers Vet Center today has issued an invitation to all veterans and the public to attend an Open House on Tuesday, November 3. The open house will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at 4110 Center Pointe Drive Suite 204, Fort Myers.

"There is a growing need for readjustment counseling/ services to existing and newly returning combat veterans and their families.The VA is committed to providing these services and high-quality outreach to all combat veterans, said John Peptis, team leader.

The Fort Myers Vet Center has been a driving force in this effort, he said.

"We serve five counties, Lee, Glades, Charlotte, Hendry,and Collier. We have veterans driving from those counties to our location for treatment. So this is an outreach effort for veterans from all combat eras.

"The community-based Veteran Centers are a key component of VA's mental health program, providing veterans with mental health screening and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counseling, along with help for family members dealing with bereavement and loved ones with PTSD," he said.

Studies by the U.S. Medicine Institute of Health have reported that Vet Centers have proven a best practice model in fostering peer-to-peer relationships. The best way to overcome concerns about stigmatization is through person-to-person contact with a trained professional, Peptis said.

The Open House will not only be a chance to meet the Vet Center staff, but it will also be an opportunity to learn more about the Vet Center program.

Light refreshments will be served.An award ceremony will take place at 2 p.m.

For more information contact Peptis at 239-479-4401 of 239-479-4401. Martha Vaugh, the officemanager can also help you with any questions.
Open house set Nov. 3 at Vet Center in Fort Myers