A Veteran's Day remembrance event was held Nov. 11 in Jacksonville, Florida at Fleet Landing retirement community.

Several of Fleet Landing residents have served in the armed forces which made this event even more meaningful. Founded by a group of military officers in 1985, Fleet Landing now hosts a variety of residents, from teachers to doctors, all committed to service to others and embrace military values and beliefs.

The room burst into song as all five service songs were honored by Fleet Landing's resident choir, the Note-Ables. The ceremony was led by Rear Adm. (Retired) Ron Kurth, who was a Naval Aviator during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. RADM. (Ret.)

Kurth reminisced of his freshman year at the United States Naval Academy where he was taught the importance of tradition and "knowing where you came from" by his old seamanship instructor, Shorty Metzger.

The meaning behind embracing naval tradition was made ever prominent when Kurth introduced Cmdr. Snyder, a fellow graduate of his Alma mater as the keynote speaker.

Cmdr. Shockey Snyder, currently assigned as Commanding Officer, PCU Sioux City Blue Crew, was invited to deliver a speech to pay tribute to our community's Veterans for their sacrifices as well as tie in the LCS future in Mayport as Littoral Combat Ships are integrated into our forward deployed fleet.

Cmdr. Snyder honored our nation's veterans, the "hidden heroes who answered the call to service", and introduced the LCS Program as the "new generation serving today." Fleet Landing residents gasped in awe at the 14 feet draft and 40+ knot speed of the fleet's newest warships, which were unfathomable in the Navy of their time.

Snyder wrapped up his tribute with the assurance to the veterans in the audience that "we have the watch and stand ready to defend our freedom".

Mister Duane St. John, USMC (ret) read "In Flanders Fields Eleven Bells Toll" and rang 11 bells precisely at 1111, commemorating the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918.

The event concluded with The Navy Hymn and the retirement of colors by the Civil Air Patrol ROTC Color Guard as well as a sentimental moment of remembrance as the final notes of TAPS honored our comrades who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

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