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On December 7, 2017, Ave Maria School of Law hosted its Second Annual Veterans Memorial Celebration in honor of our nation's veterans. For the first time, the law school presented the Annual St. Martin of Tours, Patron Saint of Veterans and Soldiers, Hero's Award to three deserving individuals: Major General J. T. (Mike) Coyne, United States Marine Corps (Retired) who served as the Master of Ceremonies and Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski, United States Marine Corps (Retired) who was our Guest Speaker and newest member of the Ave Law Board of Governors.
The third hero award recipient was long time veteran, Mr. John Gideon, who is 97 years old. Mr. Gideon served in the Navy in WWII. He was at Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack, December 7, 1941. He eventually received a medical discharge from the Navy.
Back by popular demand were the Ladies for Liberty Singing Troupe, dedicated to singing the Andrews sisters style of music, and the Collier County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard began the ceremony.
Many local veterans organizations joined from Lee and Collier County, including the Wounded Warriors of Collier County, the Collier County Veterans Council, the Collier County Veteran Service Organization, the Military Officers Association of SWFL, the Jewish War Veterans Post 202, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Support Our Troops.