James Elson ’71 Welcomes Home OEF and OIF Vets of Naples, Florida

It was an eventful Memorial Day ceremony in Naples, Forida, when the Veterans Council of Collier County, headed by Council President James Elson NU’71, held a very special observance to honor the fallen heroes of America’s wars and conflicts, but it paid special tribute to 21 men and women in uniform living in Collier County who returned from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The community expressed its gratitude by helping the CCVC raise over $12,000.00 in donated goods and services for “Project Welcome Back Pack” with the purpose to make their time home with their families more enjoyable. The packs were presented at the conclusion of the ceremony with a certificate of gratitude and salute from General Joseph Cutrona, West Point ’44.

“The Naples community is grateful and welcoming to these soldiers for protecting our freedoms,” Elson said.

Naples’ 4th of July parade was also exceptional because SP-4 Peter Holder, 2nd Infantry Division and SP-4, Christopher McKellar, 1st Armored Division, were able to join James Elson in his 1954 Army Jeep and ride in the parade. McKellar had just returned and Holder was on leave for two weeks.