• To uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Florida, to respect the flag of the United States of America, and honor both past and present members of the United States Armed Forces.

• To advance the interests of and work for the betterment of veterans.

• To cooperate with the United States Veterans Administration and other agencies devoted to the cause of improving and advancing the conditions, health, and welfare of veterans and their families.

• To provide a transportation system to transport veterans with appointments to VA hospitals, clinics, and any other facilities that are appropriate for the benefit of veterans and their dependants.

• The Council shall have all the common law and statutory powers of a Florida not-for-profit corporation which are consistent with these Articles as they, from time to time, may be amended and including but not limited to:
• Fix, levy, and collect dues.

• Pay all expenses in connection with all office and other expenses incident to the conduct of the business of the corporation.

• Ensure this organization will, at all times, avoid any conflict with other veterans' organizations.

• Direct all activities to be prohibited from partisan politics.

• Encourage the organization to act as a forum for any program or issue that would be of interest to the welfare of veterans and their families.

Voting rights are reserved for Council members who are Board Directors in good standing. Board Directors will be represented by a designated delegate and alternate(s) to act in the absence of the delegate.

Associate members may include Auxiliaries of Organizational Members, philanthropic, and fraternal organizations who share the goals of the Council. Associate membership shall not convey voting rights and shall not entail any requirement for payment of dues.

   Chief William Carl Biography 

(Left to right: Chief Willaim Carl and  SSG Freddie Vasquez)

William "Black Knight" Carl

Chief Carl recently retired after a combined tenure of over 30 years of active duty and reserve service.  His career included 7 combat tours to Iraq while attached to two deployable tactical units, U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 307 and USCG Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachment Teams 10 and 11.

He is the recipient of the Army Meritorious Service medal among dozens of other ribbons and awards. His duties included a variety of tactical combat leadership duties such as:  Surveillance and reconnnaissance of enemy post positions, intelligence and reporting threat engagements, force protection measures, contingency planning, critical team coordination, and maritime security patrols. Chief Carl is a member of several military groups including the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Assn., American Legion post 135, VFW, AMVets, ROA, FRA, and the ESGR.

Those interested in the Collier County Veterans Council can contact him at (239) 370-5428 or send him an email to WCARL1722@aol.com

Current Veterans Council Board of Directors

Left to Right:  LCDR John Hogan, CSM James Burch, CPL Jessica Dang, Capt. James Albert, Capt Torrey Searles,  A1C Jordan Tompkins. 

Front: CPO William Carl

Photo Credit: Heather Corace