Memorial Day events in Southwest Florida: Ceremonies, festivals, baseball and more

Fort Myers News-Press

Memorial Day means a long, three-day weekend for most people. But that’s not really what it’s all about, of course.

The annual holiday honors the many men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. And to that end, several public events are being held in Southwest Florida, including services, ceremonies and a few family festivals.

Memorial Day events in Fort Myers

Fort Myers Memorial Gardens: The funeral home and cemetery hosts its annual Memorial Day event featuring a military aircraft flyover, keynote speeches, a cookout and drum-and-pipe music. 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 30. Free. The Field of Honor at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 308-0786 or fortmyersmemorial.com

Memorial Day: Remember and Honor: Edison Mall and American Legion Post 38 honor service members who have given their lives. The event includes guest speakers and presentations. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 30. Free. Near Dillard’s at Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. shopedisonmall.com

Military museum on wheels:New bus brings WWII, Vietnam, Civil War exhibits to Southwest Florida

Bugler and retired U.S> Army veteran David Ramos bows his head as the names of fallen soldiers are read Monday, May 31, 2021, at the Memorial Day event at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden.

Memorial Day events in Naples

Louisville Slugger Warriors baseball game: The nationally sponsored amputee baseball team plays a double header against the SWFL Naples All-Star Team. The Louisville Slugger Warriors are a nonprofit, competitive team consisting of amputee players, including military veterans, active-duty personnel and current and former college baseball players. They’re coached by former Major League Baseball players, including Naples resident John Kruk. Games start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28. Free. Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. 802-777-7232 or lswarriorsteam.org

Hodges Funeral Home: The Collier County Veterans Council sponsors this event featuring a 21-gun salute, a reading of the names of the dead, the Collier County Sheriff's Office color guard, several speakers, a cookout and more. The keynote speaker will be retired Brig. Gen. Ed Brandt of the U.S. Army National Guard. 10 a.m. Monday, May 30. Free. Attendees should bring their own seating. Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden, 525 111th Ave., Naples. 597-3101 or facebook.com/HodgesFuneralHomeNaples

Community Day: UAC Cooperative Gallery hosts a free event commemorating Memorial Day. It includes an ongoing exhibit featuriartists from Arts Planet, as well as free appetizers, drinks for all ages, live music and a question-and-answer session with the artists. Noon to 6 p.m. Monday, May 30. Free admission. UAC Cooperative Gallery, 967 B 4th Ave. N., Naples. 465-8132

Memorial Day in Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs Memorial Day Ceremony: The annual service is organized by the City of Bonita Springs and its Veterans Advisory Committee. It includes the posting of the colors, a 21-gun salute, the laying of wreaths and more. Guest speaker David Grossi of Bonita Springs enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and joined the newly created Ranger program in 1967. He completed his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969. His medals and citations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the New York State Medal for Merit and the Florida Veterans Service Medal. 9 a.m. Monday, May 30. Free. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 949-6262

Memorial Day events in Cape Coral

Memorial Day Remembrance at Coral Ridge:The Cape Coral funeral home pays tribute to the heroism of fallen military veterans and the sacrifice made by their families. More details weren’t available for the 41st annual ceremony. 10 a.m. Monday, May 30. Free. Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Blvd. S., Cape Coral. 283-0540 or facebook.com/CoralRidgeFuneral

Memorial Day Weekend Seafood Festival and Caribbean Market: Nautical Mile Magazine hosts this festival featuring live music, seafood, beer, nautical arts and crafts and more. Retired and active-duty military get in free all weekend (ID required). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday (Memorial Day), May 28-30. $10 with half-price re-entry all weekend. Free for ages 17 and younger. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. nauticalmilemagazine.com

Helicopter pilots perfrom a flyover during a Memorial Day ceremony at Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery on Monday, May 31, 2021, in Cape Coral.

Memorial Day in Matlacha

All American Memorial Day Deck Party and Canned Food Drive: Yard Dog Charlie provides the “Florida swamp music” for this 12th annual event that includes raffles, a 50/50 drawing and a food drive collecting canned foods, toothpaste, soap and other items for the Pine Island Food Pantry. 2-5 p.m. Monday, May 30. Free. Bert’s Bar & Grill, 4271 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 282-3232 or bertsbar.com

The Southwest Florida Military Museum features military exhibits and is available to visit schools, camps, events and more.

Memorial Day in San Carlos Park

Memorial Day at Gulf Coast Town Center: Check out the Southwest Florida Military Museum’s mobile museum — a bus packed with exhibits on most major U.S. wars — at this fundraiser that also features food, games and live music from the cover band Electric Lipstick. The event benefits Fort M Southwest Florida Military Museum. 1-3 p.m. Monday, May 30. Free. The Courtyard at Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park. 267-5107 or gulfcoasttowncenter.com

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).