Please complete the online application form. "Voting Memberships" are open to groups consisting entirely of veterans such as VFW, American Legion, MOAA, and the ROA. If you do not fit in this category, please check the "Associate Member" box.

Then, mail your annual membership dues to our mailing address:

Collier County Veterans Council

527 107th Ave N

Naples, FL 34108

Collier County Veterans Council

527 107th Ave N

Mail the dues there. Applications may also be handed to the Treasurer before the monthly meeting.

You will be contacted once your application has been registered. If you would like to introduce yourself to the Council, please contact us to have your name place on the upcoming meeting agenda. If you have immediate business for our attention, we will add it to the agenda as well.

Veteran Suicide Prevention

If you, or a veteran you know, may be thinking of contemplating suicide please call The Veterans Crisis Hotline at:

1-800-273-8255 and Press 1

or go to their website at:

Veteranscrisisline.net

Helpful Suicide education is also provided here.

“Suicide doesn’t stop the pain. It just transfers it to someone else!”

-Unknown

Welcome to Collier County Veterans Council.

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The Veterans Council of Collier County is the umbrella organization of the 13 veterans groups that exist in Collier County, Florida.

The Veterans Council is comprised of representatives from each group and meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

We bring all groups together for networking and fellowship in an otherwise fragmented community. We each have our allegiances, but are fighting the same battle. United we stand.

Meetings are open to all veterans.

For additional information call 239.478.7441

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4th Quarter President's Newsletter

To all our friends and Members of the Collier County Veterans Council,

This is the first quarter newsletter of 2018 and like all our previous ones I wish all of you and your families the very best that life has to offer. “Thank You”, to every one of our volunteers who helped in last year’s event Ceremonies. This year is going to have a lot of events the veteran’s council should be proud. 2017 Collier County has really displayed respect to our service members.

The Veterans Council has a lot to offer our civilian and veteran communities. Just to give you a view on my conversations with the Board of Directors in 2017 Master Sergeant at Arms presented this to me after June 14^th National Flag day ceremony. I was moved from his words because I feel these are some very good reasons on why we stand. The following are the questions and answers of Command Sergeant Major James R. Burch. In respect to him I want this to start off the year.

The following are just five reasons for, “Why do Americans stand for the U.S. flag and the national anthem?”

1. We stand for the flag today, not to please ourselves, but to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The more than 1.2 million Americans who have died because of war. We stand for soldiers who initially inspired our national anthem, such as William Williams, a runaway slave who later died after having his leg blown off as part of the 38th U.S. Infantry at the Battle of Fort McHenry.

I believe every American, when the national anthem is played, should cover their hearts and think about all the men and women who have been maimed and killed. Every American should stand and think for three lousy minutes!!!

2. We stand for the flag not to focus on what divides us, but on what unites us, which is being an American.

The name of American, which belongs to every U.S. Citizen, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles.

More than being a Steelers fan or Rams fan, the name “American” deserves our highest respect and pride. Standing for the flag and anthem at a sports game or other public gatherings, symbolically shows that we are all Americans, no matter our race or religion, no matter our preferred sports team, and no matter our political differences. Standing is the ultimate salute to sportsmanship.

3. We stand for the flag not to pledge allegiance to a president, but to honor the reality that we have an elected president and not a lifetime king.

By standing, we honor the fact that our country has had 45 presidents. Our flag reflects our system of government, divided by 50 states, the stars on the flag, but united under a federal government.

4. We stand not because of past or present pain caused by injustice, but to salute the principle of justice.

This is one of the three definitions for the color blue that Congress gave us in 1782. The colors of . . . those used in the flag of the United States of America. White signifies purity and innocence. Red (signifies) hardiness and valor and blue . . . signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Patriotism is not pride in the pain of our nation’s past. Rather, patriotism is pride in the principles that paved the way for change, whether that change was trading royalty for representation in 1776 or exchanging enslavement for emancipation in 1863.

5. We stand for the flag not for our generation, but to set an example for the next generation.

If we do not advocate a love of country to our children and the generations to come, then why would our children grow up to fight for their countries, the founding principles and moral truths?

Passing along patriotism is crucial to the future survival of America. The color of white in the flag symbolizes the purity and innocence of our children.

When we stand for the flag and anthem, we are standing for our hopes for our children’s future, that they will embrace the principles of patriotism and live out its moral truths of justice, perseverance and courage. We stand for the flag and anthem so they can stand for the flag and anthem.

Chief, I hope these five short reasons for standing and not knelling during the National Anthem is precisely and effectively clear, expressing my views and that I stand with you on this subject!!!

Command Sergeant Major thank you for these words of wisdom.

I want to take a moment to bring up a topic that is sensitive but serious. Post traumatic stress disorder is an epidemic that is sweeping our country. PTSD does not discriminate. It is an issue for active duty, veterans, reservists, AND family members. CCVC wants to bring this issue to light. We want to help end the stigma surrounding PTSD and provide resources for the men and women suffering from this invisible wound. By addressing the whole family unit, we can help end the war that people face on a daily basis. There are many organizations locally that are also working very hard to make life worth living. If anyone has thoughts of suicide, or has a family member in crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. You can also text 838255 or go on the website at www.veteranscrisisline.net to chat. We need to be there for one another, and we vow to never leave anyone behind.

With warm regards,

William Carl, CCVC President

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The next CCVC meeting will be May 16th, 2018 at 7pm. Location is City Hall 735 8th Street S Naples Fl 34102.

3020 62^nd ST SW 3

Naples fl 34116

3020 62^nd ST SW

Naples fl 34116

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Quote of the Month

The Power of Attitude:

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results."

We now have a donate button for our organization. Donations are always greatly appreciated! 100% of the donations go right back out into our community. This allows us to continue to hold events in the county and help veterans whenever we can. We thank you for your continued support.

Collier County Veterans Council is a 501(c)(3) Our EIN is 82-1947585