Recognizing and Honoring Veterans: Serving our country with love

Tom Adams
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe

When did you serve?
From the late 80s to the early 2000s. 13 years of Active Service, Reserve Time, and Mobilization.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
It is simple; it is a day of work and a day to remember all my shipmates. Some are no longer with us.

Is there a story from your service you’d like to share?
There are many, but what I am most proud of is that my son is a commissioned officer in the US Navy. He is 1 of 7 in the World and considered a “Mustang,” which means he worked his way up in the ranks. When he took his oath and shook my hand, he gave me a silver dollar, which is an official salute and tradition. This was a deeply proud moment for me. My son’s wife is also active duty.

Lloyd Withrow
Little Rock Marriott

When did you serve?
Lloyd served from 1977-1983 in the Army and then again from 2002-2003 in the Army National Guard.  He then served as a Vet Service Officer from 2006-2007 and still volunteers with veterans whenever he can.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
For me, Veterans Day is about remembering those who served, honoring those who sacrificed, and recognizing the families who stood behind them.  It is also about the men and women who came home and kept serving their communities through their work, character, and commitment to others.  My military service helped shape the person I became.   The values of teamwork, accountability, preparedness, respect, and looking out for the person beside me have stayed with me throughout my life and career in hospitality.  This Veterans Day, I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a veteran, listen to their story, and remember that behind every uniform is a person who answered the call to serve.

Is there a story from your service you’d like to share?
My most memorable military experience was serving 26 months with the Berlin Brigade in West Berlin from 1979 to 1981, when the Berlin Wall still stood. As a young Sergeant, I witnessed history firsthand at Checkpoint Charlie, trained alongside British and French forces, and I lived with the constant reality of the Cold War.  One of the most sobering moments was visiting community East Berlin and seeing children reach out simply to touch us because we were Americans.  That experience gave me a deeper appreciation for freedom and the importance of our mission.  Serving in Berlin taught me the true meaning of duty, honor, and being ready when your country calls.

Service runs in my Family.  My father was a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and suffered what was then called shell shock, now recognized as PTSD.  My father-in-law was a jumpmaster with the 82^nd Airborne.  My mother-in-law was a Rose the Riveter, helping build battleships in Alabama’s shipyards while still in high school.  Our family’s story reminds me that service takes many forms. Some serve in uniform. Others support the war effort at home. All have a part in the story of our nation.

Tyler Pirkle
Barnsley Resort

When did you serve?
I served in the United States Navy as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman for 5 years (2012-2017)

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans Day, to me, means a day where we celebrate the 1% who had the courage to put their name on the dotted line, and the even smaller percentage of men and women who confronted enemy forces and prevailed in the face of danger that often results in serious injury or death.

Are there any stories or experiences from your time in the military that you would like to share?
As far as stories go, those are mine. Maybe over a drink I’ll share one or two, but I keep those experiences close to the chest. Although I will say: Boot camp was the funniest place I’ve ever been, and the irony was you weren’t allowed to laugh. Haha.

Dustin Wallace
Barnsley Resort

When did you serve?
I served in the World’s Greatest Navy from 2012 to 2026. I was 28 years old when I joined.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
I think it’s a day to honor the Vets, but I also believe that it’s a day to honor the spouses and children of the Vets. People don’t realize how hard it is on the spouses and children to be stationed so far away from family without any support.

 Are there any stories or experiences from your time in the military that you would like to share?
One experience that has always stuck with me happened in December 2013, when I was stationed aboard a small Navy frigate and heading home from my first deployment. We were departing the port of Lisbon, Portugal, when I looked out at the open ocean and saw some of the biggest waves I had ever seen. I remember thinking, “This is going to be a rough couple of days.” Little did I know just how right I was! For the next three days, the ship rocked violently up and down and side to side as we battled the rough seas. The conditions were so bad that many of my shipmates were seasick and couldn’t even make it back to their racks. Instead, they just lay down wherever they could in the middle of the passageways! Looking back, it’s one of those memories that makes me laugh. At the time, it wasn’t exactly fun, but it’s a good reminder of the unique experiences you share with your shipmates in the Navy. We went through some rough seas together, literally, and it’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget. Good times!

Kevin Mcneese
Barnsley Resort

When did you serve?
I served in the United States Marine Corps for 28 years, from 1989 to 2017. I began as an aircraft electrician and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9), serving as an Avionics Chief. Following September 11, 2001, I deployed aboard the USS Harry S. Truman and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
To me, Veterans Day is both a joyous and somber occasion. Military service comes with sacrifices shared by our families—missed birthdays, holidays, children’s first steps, and sometimes the final moments of loved ones. These are moments we can never get back. For me, Veterans Day is not just about honoring military service. It is about recognizing the sacrifices, the lifelong bonds, and the families who made that service possible.

Are there any stories or experiences from your time in the military that you would like to share?
One of my proudest experiences was serving as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island from 1996 to 1999. Take away the yelling and stress, and a Drill Instructor is really a teacher—instilling discipline, building character, and transforming young men into Marines. One memorable experience was when former heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe arrived for recruit training. Although he wasn’t in my platoon, his Marine Corps journey ended around training day three.

Aaron Montgomery
Barnsley Resort  

When did you serve?
I served in the Army from 2005 to 2013. I was 18 when I joined.

Christopher Tyler
Baker’s Cay Resort

When did you serve?
1999-2003 USMC

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
A celebration of the silent sacrifices made by those who serve; so much goes unthought of or unrecognized. From time with family, to friends, to just living a normal daily life, from the worrying of loved ones, as you can’t tell them what is actually going on with your life or even where you are in the world. It goes beyond the blood, sweat, and tears, most think, as there is a lot of mental sacrifice we all gave.  With some of us, never fully ever being able to adjust back. The celebration means the world to have that seen and thought of, that one day we remember that freedom has a price, that only some actually pay for.

Any stories that you would like to share about your experience serving our country?
I remember doing a patrol in a small town in Iraq towards the start of the conflict. We had this crowd following us and seemed genuinely happy we were there. Chanting almost in celebration of the potential changes. I remember looking around at the state of the town. The conditions these people were living in, and just thinking, we really don’t know how good we have it, back in the states. People were actually happy that another group was in their country in this manner, that they saw a chance to escape the squalor they were being forced into. It is something I never quite forgot.

Larry Franklin
Sheraton Philadelphia University City

When did you serve?
1977-1983

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the honor of serving, the experiences that shaped me, and the sacrifices made by all those who wore the uniform before me, alongside me, and after me. It reminds me of the pride I felt as a young soldier, the lessons I learned, and the responsibility that comes with serving our country. To me, Veterans Day is not just about remembering the past; it is about honoring the courage, dedication, and commitment of all veterans who answered the call to serve. It is a day to recognize that we are part of a proud tradition that is greater than any one individual. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have served in the United States Army and to have been part of something so meaningful.

Any stories that you would like to share about your experience serving our country?
I had a friend from high school who joined the Army and tragically drowned during basic training. Although he never had the opportunity to graduate from basic training because of this tragedy, the Army still honored him for his service. I have always remembered that, because it taught me something important about what it means to serve. It did not matter whether someone served for one day, six years, or 35 years. He was a soldier from the day he entered the Army, and that was what mattered. His story reminds me that serving is not measured only by the length of time spent in uniform, but by the commitment and willingness to answer the call to serve our country. That is one of the reasons Veterans Day means so much to me. It is a time to honor every person who stepped forward to serve, remembering that each one has a story, a sacrifice, and a place in the history of our nation.

Charles Hankin
Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Veterans Day is a time for me to reflect on the people I served alongside and the experiences we shared. It’s also a chance to recognize everyone who has worn the uniform and the sacrifices they and their families have made. I’m proud of my service and grateful for the friendships and lessons that have stayed with me.

Julio Hodge
Frenchman’s Reef 

Julio served from 2015 to 2019, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Reflecting on his time in service, Julio describes his military journey as a rewarding experience that provided him with valuable knowledge, new skills, and opportunities for personal growth.

To Julio, Veterans Day is a time to recognize and honor the individuals who have answered the call to serve their country.

Allen Alvarez
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

When did you serve?
I served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 20004 to 2008, then continued serving in the Army Reserves from 2008 to 2019. During my time in service, I completed two deployments to Iraq.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
To me, Veterans Day is about honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and recognizing the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Serving your country is more than wearing a uniform or fulfilling a duty. It also means making sacrifices that affect the people you love most. Behind every service member is a family that serves in its own way, through the distance, the uncertainty, and the strength it takes to keep going while their loved one is away. Veterans Day reminds me that service is not just about fighting for your country, but also about the people and families who give you a reason to fight for it.

Is there a story or special memory from your time serving that you would like to share?
Thanksgiving has always meant more to me than just a holiday. It’s a time to come together with family, give thanks, and appreciate the people who make life meaningful. Every year, without fail, I spent Thanksgiving with my family. It was a tradition I never imagined missing. But military service teaches you that sometimes, serving something greater than yourself means missing the very moments you hold closest to your heart. There was one year when, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. While they gathered around the table, I had to accept that my duty to serve meant being away from them, missing a tradition that had always brought us together. It was a reminder that military sacrifice isn’t always measured by what happens on the battlefield. Sometimes, it’s measured by the holidays missed, the birthdays spent apart, the milestones you can’t be there for, and the memories you wish you could have made with the people you love. During that time, one of my Sergeants recognized that some of us lower-enlisted soldiers would be spending the holiday away from our loved ones. He and his wife opened their home and invited a group of us to share Thanksgiving dinner with them. That simple act of kindness meant more than they probably realized. For those of us who couldn’t be with our immediate families, it reminded us that we weren’t alone. We had another family in the military, people who understood the sacrifices we made because they were making them, too. That experience taught me something I carry with me to this day: you can be tough, disciplined, and hold people accountable while still leading with care, compassion, and humanity. Military service taught me the importance of strength, but that Sergeant showed me that true leadership is also about recognizing when someone needs kindness, support, or simply a place to belong. I apply that lesson in my leadership every day. Whether in the military or in civilian life, people may not always remember how strict you were or the standards you enforced, but they will remember how you made them feel. That Thanksgiving, I learned that while service sometimes requires us to sacrifice precious moments with our own families, compassion can remind us that we are never truly alone. Sometimes, opening your home, sharing a meal, or simply making someone feel they belong can mean more than words could ever express.

Joseph Fleckenstein
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

When did you serve?
I was in college in 2001 when I decided to join the military, shortly after the events of September 11th. 

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Honestly, for me, it’s just another day. I don’t typically do anything special to celebrate Veterans Day. I understand the significance of November 11th and appreciate that our country takes the time to recognize those who have served. However, speaking from my own experience, and from conversations and experiences shared with many of the veterans I served alongside, it can feel like just another day. We served because it was our duty, and for many of us, it wasn’t about recognition or receiving thanks. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the recognition. I absolutely do. I respect what Veterans Day represents.

Is there a story or special memory from your time serving that you would like to share?
There is one story that will always be dear to my heart. My unit received our deployment orders the day after Christmas. Merry Christmas to us! We knew what we had signed up for, and we understood the possibility that we would be deployed. What I didn’t know was that, by the time I left, I would be a father. My daughter was only two months old when I was on my way to the Middle East for what I believed would be a year-long deployment. Leaving my family behind was difficult, but it was part of the commitment I had made. As the end of our deployment approached, we were finally preparing to go home. The guys were packing up, and we were just three days away from the end of what we thought was our tour. We could practically see the finish line. We were ready to get back to our families and return to some sense of normalcy. Then, we were called into a last-minute team meeting. Instead of receiving the news we had been waiting for, we were told we weren’t going home. Our unit was needed for a critical mission extension. That mission became known as The Surge. Just like that, the plans we had been counting on changed. We had to put our personal lives on hold again and continue the mission. What makes that memory so personal for me is knowing that back home, my daughter was growing up, and I was missing those early moments that you can never get back. I had gone into the deployment knowing I would be away from home, but I never imagined how difficult it would be to have that time extended when I was so close to coming home. Military service teaches you about commitment, sacrifice, and the responsibility you have to the people standing beside you. But it also teaches you about the sacrifices your family makes while you’re away. That experience has stayed with me throughout my life. I’m proud of having served, and I will always remember the men I served alongside. But when I look back on that deployment, I don’t just remember the mission. I remember what it meant to be a young father, thousands of miles away from home, waiting for the day I could finally hold my daughter again.

Edward Trainor
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

When did you serve?
Served from ‘82 to ’94.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans day is a day to celebrate all the Family and friends that I served with. 

Any stories that you would like to share about your experience serving our country?
My year in South Korea was one of the best times of my life.

Rafael Sanders
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

When did you serve?
I joined the U.S Navy in December 1976 and served until 1980.

 Any stories that you would like to share about your experience serving our country?
My parents had to sign for me to enlist because I was underage. It was a great experience for a young man. The Navy taught me how to follow directions, be better organized, and work as part of a team.

Working on the flight deck of the USS Midway gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the United States. I also traveled to different countries, from Africa to Australia, and learned about many cultures. The USS Midway was based in Japan, where I made friends and learned about Japanese culture. My time in the Navy helped shape the person I am today.

Aloysius Allred (AA)
The Don CeSar & Beach House Suites

AA proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer from July 1987 to July 1993. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and initially joined the Marines to earn the G.I. Bill benefits that would help pay for college. When asked about Veterans Day, AA brought a little humor to the conversation, sharing that one of his favorite perks is being able to enjoy free meals at restaurants throughout the day! Beyond the fun, the holiday holds special meaning for him because his father also proudly served in the United States Army. AA appreciates having a day dedicated to honoring veterans and recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of those who have served our country. One of AA’s most memorable experiences in the Marines took place during a training mission at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center in Oregon. His platoon used C-4 explosives to reroute a section of a river, changing the direction of its flow. The experience also brought him an unexpected first: seeing the Pacific Ocean for the very first time. Originally from Huntington, West Virginia, AA had never seen the ocean before. After completing the mission, he had some leave and visited Seaside, Oregon. It was summertime, but the beach was rocky, cold, and incredibly windy! Needless to say, it was quite different from the beach experience he had imagined. Ten years later, after moving to Florida, he finally discovered the beautiful beaches and warm sunshine that make a day at the beach so special!

George Ricks
The Don CeSar & Beach House Suites

 George proudly served in the United States Army from October 1990 to December 2000. Throughout his ten years of service, he developed a deep appreciation for the values of teamwork, discipline, sacrifice, and commitment.

When asked what Veterans Day means to him, George shared a heartfelt reflection on the oath he took, the people he served alongside, and the sacrifices made by so many. For him, the day is about honoring those who stood beside him and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Although he no longer wears the uniform, the pride, honor, and commitment he gained through his service will remain with him forever. As he puts it: “Duty. Honor. Country. HOOAH!” One of the most memorable parts of George’s military experience was the lifelong bonds he formed with the people he served alongside. Although they came from different backgrounds, they became family. Together, they learned the importance of teamwork, discipline, sacrifice, and always having each other’s backs. Those friendships and shared experiences left a lasting impression on George, and the memories of the people he served with will stay with him for a lifetime.

Maurice Singleton
Nobu Eden Roc Miami Beach

Maurice Singleton proudly served in the United States Navy from 2000 to 2010. During his military career, he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the USS Shreveport (LPD-12). As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he was among the first sailors deployed across the Atlantic in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

His service in the Navy was marked by dedication, resilience, and commitment to his country during a critical time in American history. Through his experiences at sea and in support of military operations, Maurice gained a deep appreciation for the power of teamwork, trust, and unity. The lessons he learned while serving alongside fellow sailors continue to shape his character and inspire his pride as a United States Navy veteran.

Mario Canals
Nobu Eden Roc Miami Beach

Mario Canals proudly served his country from 1982 to 1992, dedicating a decade of honorable service to the United States Army. During his distinguished military career, he served in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, answering the call to defend freedom and support America’s mission during a pivotal moment in history.

Through hard work, leadership, and unwavering commitment, Mario achieved the rank of E-7, Sergeant First Class, a testament to the respect he earned from his fellow soldiers and the responsibility he carried throughout his service. Serving his country remains one of the greatest honors of his life, and his legacy reflects the values of duty, integrity, sacrifice, and patriotism. His service stands as a source of pride for his family, community, and all those who have the privilege of knowing him.

Jason Avila
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago

For many, Veterans Day is marked by parades and flying flags. But for me, the meaning of this day is deeply personal, woven into the fabric of my family history and my own life. It is a profound acknowledgment of family, sacrifice, and a shared devotion to a cause far greater than ourselves.

Growing up, I was inspired by my father and my uncles, who answered the call of duty and wore the uniform with quiet pride. To honor my family and my country, I followed in their footsteps, serving in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2003. One of the proudest experiences of my life was serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Jumping out of airplanes alongside some of the finest people I have ever known taught me that true dedication means stepping up to serve something greater than yourself.
Because of that journey, Veterans Day carries a dual meaning for me. It is a time to look backward in gratitude at the generations who came before us, but it is also a time to honor the community around us today. To me, this day stands for profound service, deep-rooted camaraderie, and the unbreakable bond shared with my military brothers and sisters.

As we observe this day, I am incredibly proud to honor my family’s legacy, and I am equally proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all veterans who answered the call. Our everyday peace is built upon this extraordinary collective courage, and that shared sacrifice is a standard of honor we must always strive to uphold.