The City of Bonita Springs Veterans Advisory Committee invites the public to attend a Memorial Day Service. The service will be located in downtown Bonita Springs Riverside Park. The guest speaker for the Memorial Day Service is US Air Force Lieutenant General Robert J. Elder Jr. (ret.).

Lt. General Elder was Commander of the 8th Air Force, Air Combat Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, and Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb. He also served as the first commander of the Air Force Network Operations for cyberspace. He has served in command positions in operations such as Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. He has also held leadership positions in the Air Staff, Air Combat Command, Joint Staff, and NATO. Lt. General Elder was also Commandant of the Air War College. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Elder holds a doctoral degree in engineering from the University of Detroit. Lt. General Elder is a Command Pilot with over 4,300 flying hours, including 83 combat hours. He is a recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

The Memorial Day Ceremony will include traditional commemorations such as the Posting of the Colors, the Presentation of the Blue/Gold Star Banners, a 21-gun salute, and the laying of the wreaths. The service is organized by the all-volunteer City of Bonita Springs Veterans Advisory Committee.

Please be advised that there will be a road closure on Old 41 Road from Wilson Street to Ragsdale Street during the ceremony from 8:00 am-11:00 am.

Please join us as we honor those who have given their lives in service to their country. For questions about the Memorial Day Service, please call City Hall at (239) 949-6262.