>> THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP THAT WE ARE OBSERVING VETERANS DAY BY LOOKING AT THE WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED, INCLUDING ONE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDING FREE CELL PHONES TO HELP VETERANS.

RECONNECT WITH THE SUPPORT THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR LIVES.

FOR ONE MARINE, IT TOOK A COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT HE WOULD HAVE A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD HAS A FOREVER HOME.

>> MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE OUT WITH US ANYMORE.

THERE IS LIKE A TREND AMONG THEM IS THAT THEY NEVER FOUND SOMETHING VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT AFTERWARDS.

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH AFTERWARDS.

>> AND PROVIDING A SANCTUARY FOR VETERANS FOLLOWING THEIR TOURS OF DUTY, THE GYM THAT BRINGS MILITARY STANDARDS TO AND ACCEPTING FELLOWSHIP.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IN 1919, PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON PROCLAIMED NOVEMBER 11TH AS ARMISTICE DAY MARKING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR.

ONE, IT HAS SINCE EVOLVED INTO VETERANS DAY.

A NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO HONOR AND THANK THE MEN AND THE WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE MILITARY FOR SOME FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS.

THE RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE CAN BE QUITE A STRUGGLE.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTS THE STATE HAS 3,000 HOMELESS VETERANS.

THE SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT MANY NONPROFITS ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP OUT.

JOINING ME NOW IS ROBERT BURCK WEST, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM TEXAS.

>> GREAT.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS?

EXACTLY CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS AND HOW IT GOT ITS START?

>> YEAH.

SO CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS STARTED 22 YEARS AGO BY MY SISTER AND I WHEN WE WERE 12 13 YEARS OLD, WE'RE GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL ONE MORNING AND WE HEARD A STORY OF A SOLDIER IN AFGHANISTAN WHO BROUGHT HIS PHONE OVER AND HE WAS CALLING HOME TO HIS FAMILY RACKS UP AN $8,000 CELL PHONE BILL AND 12 13 YEARS OLD.

WE THOUGHT WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING DOUBT OUT.

WE HAD 2 COUSINS WHO ARE ACTIVELY TO PUT UP A TIME AND WE JUMPED INTO ACTION AND HELD CAR WASHES AND BAKE SALES IN HER HOMETOWN OF NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

AND WE ENDED UP PAYING OFF THAT SOLDIER CELL PHONE BILL AND WE LAUNCHED AN A NON PROFIT CALLED CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS BECAUSE WE'RE HELPING A SOLDIER IN THE ARMY WITH HIS CELL PHONE BILL AND PEOPLE START ASSOCIATING THAT NAME WITH THEIR OLD CELL PHONES AND THEY STARTED DONATING THEIR PHONES TO OUR HOMETOWN OF NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS AND WE KIND OF A MINUTE ON THESE PHONES AND SEND HIM OVERSEAS BUT FOUND OUT THAT THAT WAS A NATIONAL SECURITY HAZARD.

IF YOU CALL FROM CELLPHONES OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY, YOU CAN BE TRYING TO LAY DID IN YOUR POSITION COMPROMISE.

SO WE DECIDED TO RECYCLE DONATED CELLPHONES TO GENERATE REVENUE TO PURCHASE PREPAID CALLING CARDS THAT WE WOULD SEND AROUND THE WORLD.

AND SO WE RECYCLED OVER 25 MILLION CELL PHONES WHICH ALLOWED US TO PURCHASE OVER A MILLION PREPAID CALLING CARDS TO SEND OVER 450 MILLION MINUTES WORTH OF TALK TIME TO DEPLOYED SERVICE MEMBERS AROUND THE WORLD.

NOW, FAST FORWARD TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

WE FOCUS OUR ENERGY ON VETERANS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND SO A LOT OF OUR VETERANS ARE DISCONNECTED WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET OR ASSIMILATE AFTER SERVICE.

AND SO WE TRY TO DEPLOY DEVICES AND PHONE SERVICE SO THAT THOSE VETERANS CAN STAY CONNECTED TO THE CRITICAL RESOURCES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM SO THE PLAN NOW IS VETERANS CAN A CELL PHONE AND THEY GET ONE YEAR OF ON THE MID TALK TEXT AND DATA THAT ALLOWS THEM TO STAY CONNECTED.

THEY DO GET A PHONE BILL AND THEY ARE ABLE TO USE THOSE DEVICES AGAIN TO STAY CONNECTED.

WE HAVE 17,000 VETERANS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM.

WE'RE HOPING TO GET TO 30,000 VETERANS BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MANY OF THE VETERANS THAT WE HAVE DEPLOYED OUR DEVICES TO ARE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND ALL ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST FLORIDA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VETERANS THAT ARE BENEFITING FROM THIS.

AND SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS TO TO OUR VETERANS.

>> WHY IS THIS KIND OF PROGRAM SO IMPORTANT?

NOT JUST FOR THE SOLDIERS, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> YEAH, OFTENTIMES THEY'RE DISCONNECTED AND CONNECTIVITY AS A RESOURCE IS VERY FRAGILE.

YOU CAN DROP YOUR PHONE IN CRACK YOUR SCREEN AND YOU'RE VERY LEFTIST CONNECTED.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A DEVICE.

AND SO WE STRATEGICALLY DEPLOY THESE PHONES INTO THE HANDS OF VETERANS THAT DON'T HAVE A WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE VA AND ACCESS THEIR EARNED BENEFITS.

WE WORK WITH OTHER VETERAN NONPROFITS THAT HAVE VETERANS COME THROUGH THEIR DOORS THAT ARE TRYING TO GET BACK ONTO THEIR FEET.

AND, YOU KNOW, AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM THE PROGRAM, THEY DON'T HAVE A PHONE AND THEY'RE GETTING BACK ON THE STREET.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO WAY FOR THAT RESOURCE TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH TIME.

SO, YOU KNOW, AND YOU KNOW, ON THE ON THE, YOU KNOW, VETERAN SUICIDE SIDE, WE LOSE 17 VETERANS A DAY TO SUICIDE ISOLATION AND LONELINESS ARE 2 OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF SUICIDE.

RIGHT?

SO WE TRIED TO COMBAT THAT DIRECTLY WITH CONNECTIVITY.

SO THAT IN A MOMENT OF CRISIS, VETERANS CAN MAKE THAT 9, 8, 8, SUICIDE HOTLINE PHONE CALL AND MAKE A DIFFERENT DECISION IN THAT MOMENT.

SO IT'S A CRITICAL RESOURCE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ENOUGH FOR FOR WHAT THIS DOES FOR THE VETERAN COMMUNITY.

>> AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT A LOT OF OUR VETERANS ARE LOW INCOME.

THEY ARE UNHOUSED AND THIS IS IT A GREATER ISSUE THAT REALLY FUNNELS THE NEED FOR A WHAT YOU'RE PROVIDING?

CAN YOU TOUCH ON THAT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, WE HAVE OVER 35,000 VETERANS THAT ARE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE ARE HOMELESS UNHOUSED AND AN EVEN MORE THAT ARE LOW INCOME THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND OFTENTIMES THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEIR PHONE BILL.

SO THEY JUST WILL GO WITHOUT A DEVICE AND THEY GO WITHOUT CONNECTIVITY.

AND SO WE TRY TO AGAIN STRATEGICALLY DEPLOY THESE PHONES INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE VETERANS THAT OTHERWISE DON'T HAVE CONNECTIVITY.

AND YOU HAVE APPARENTLY GIVEN OUT QUITE A FEW IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS?

>> YEAH.

SO WE WORK WITH THE FLORIDA VETERANS COALITION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHO DEPLOYS THESE DEVICES ALONGSIDE CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS.

SO THEY ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WORKING WITH THE VETERANS IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND WE GIVE THEM DEVICES SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE VETERANS WHO TRULY NEED THIS PROGRAM ARE BEING CONNECTED.

SO I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER OF HOW MANY VETERANS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE CONNECTED, BUT IT'S WELL OVER 5,000.

>> AND I NOTICE THAT THIS YEAR'S APPLICATION WINDOW ENDED IN SEPTEMBER.

WHEN IS THE NEXT TIME THAT THIS APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT QUALIFY FOR A PHONE?

>> YEP.

SO WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE THE EXACT DATE OF WHEN THAT NEW ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS GOING TO OPEN THE VETERANS AND VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND BE NOTIFIED TO WHEN THAT NEW OPEN ENROLLMENT ID BEGINS.

WE ARE WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT WITH THE CARRIERS WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS TO, YOU KNOW, GET THE DEVICES IN THE PHONE PLANS THAT THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS.

BUT AT THIS TIME, THE DEMAND HAS OUTPACED THE SUPPLY.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE THAT OPEN ENROLLMENT IS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> ROBERT QUEST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS AND HOW THEY HELP VETERANS.

YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.

CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS DOT COM.

AND COMING UP, ENSURING THAT NO ONE WHO SERVED AS LEFT BEHIND.

WE LEARN HOW A COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE FOR A MARINE IN NEED.

AS WE OBSERVE A VETERANS DAY, HERE'S A QUOTE, HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DWIGHT D EISENHOWER.

NEITHER A WISE MAN NOR A BRAVE MAN LIES DOWN ON THE TRACKS OF HISTORY TO WAIT FOR THE TRAIN OF THE FUTURE TO RUN OVER HIM.

A MARINE VETERAN FROM DUNBAR BROUGHT TO TEARS AFTER BEING GIFTED A NEW HOME BY BUILDERS CARE AND THE CITY OF FORT MYERS, THE 71 YEAR-OLD VIETNAM VETERAN RECEIVED THE KEYS TO HIS HOME ALONG WITH PRAYERS AND APPLAUSE.

WGC YOU CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH AND ARCHIE HAS THE STORY.

>> FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU AND THE PUBLIC WITH HIS FAMILY.

IT IS NOT ONLY THE BEGINNING.

WE JUST CREEP UP ON THE COUNTY'S HIS HOME.

HE SAID A CRISIS ON THE RIGHT.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, LEWIS FREEMAN IS ABOUT TO HAVE A HOME OF HIS OWN.

>> FREEMAN, >> WHO SPENT ALMOST HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN DUNBAR.

HE LEFT ONCE TO SERVE IN THE U.S.

MARINE CORPS DURING THE VIETNAM AFTER AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.

HE CAME BACK AND NEVER LEFT AGAIN.

IT'S A LONELY.

>> BEING A WORLD THAT NOBODY CARES.

A FEW.

RUTH.

I DON'T SEE HIM AS OUT OF THAT.

THEY'RE THERE.

>> LIFE DEALT FREEMEN A HARD HAND, A STROKE IN 2015 LEFT HIM UNABLE TO WORK AND LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME WHEN HIS RENTAL HOME WAS SOLD UNEXPECTEDLY, HE MOVED IN WITH HIS NIECE, HOPING ONE DAY FOR A PLACE TO CALL HIS OWN AGAIN.

>> I >> WAS LIVING AT A FAMILY HOME ON PRICE STREET.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE.

SOMEBODY ELSE IS OUT THERE.

DIFFERENT FROM JUST ONE ON THE ON THE HOUSE.

ALONE BUYS UP ALONG IS IT'S KIND OF HARD.

IT IS BIG CONCORD.

YEAH.

OVER THE HOPE NOW.

THANK GOD.

>> BUILDERS CARE.

A LEE COUNTY NONPROFIT CONSTRUCTION CHARITY PARTNERED WITH LOCALS TO BUILD FREEMAN.

A BRAND NEW 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM HOME WITH A PLOT DONATED BY THE CITY OF FORT MYERS.

THE WHOLE STRUCTURE WAS BUILT IN JUST 44 DAYS AT NO COST TO FREEMAN.

>> HE >> DOESN'T HAVE FULL RANGE OF MOTION OF ONE OF HIS ARMS.

AND WE'RE ALSO THINKING AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE.

WE'VE THE COMMON AID WITH SOME RAMPS WITH SOME LOWER STEPS INTO THE SHOWER INTO THE FRONT ENTRY OUT OF THE BACK PORCH.

JUST TRYING TO THINK AHEAD FOR A HOME THAT HE COULD AGE IN PLACE FOR AND BE COMFORTABLE IN FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE A GREAT BACK PATIO WITH A NICE TABLE AND SOME CUSTOM DOMINOES THAT WERE MADE.

WE ALSO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES THE STAND CARVED WOODEN AMERICAN FLAGS.

AND THAT'S AT THE CENTERPIECE OF HIS LIVING ROOM ABOVE HIS COUCH.

>> IT IS GOOD.

>> LETS HIM TO SUSPEND YOUR LIST IS HOME WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

WE DID THIS TO MAKE SURE WE DO THE FIELD IS HOW SOMEONE THAT YOUR PRESENCE BE FIELD ALL WALK IN THE ROOM EVERY CHRISTMAS, EVERY SPACE THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW YOU FOR THESE CHEESES IN THE U.S.

>> WELCOME HOME.

MISTER FREEMAN.

AND I GET TO.

>> INDEED.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN KIND OF REWIND.

>> 2, 3 >> FOR WGC NEWS.

I'M ELIZABETH AND RG.

>> YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO BRING COST CONSTRUCTION TO THOSE WHO NEED IT BY VISITING BUILDERS CARE DOT ORG.

SANIBEL RESIDENT ROBERT HILLIARD CELEBRATED HIS 100ST BIRTHDAY THIS PAST SUMMER.

HE'S LED AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE, INCLUDING BEING IN THE ROOM WHEN LYNDON B JOHNSON SIGNED THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING INTO LAW IN 1967, HE IS AN AUTHOR, EDUCATOR, POET AND PLAYWRIGHT.

AND AS A YOUNG JOURNALIST IN THE MILITARY, HE HELPED SHED LIGHT ON THE ATROCITIES OF HOLOCAUST CAMPS IN THE AFTERMATH OF WORLD WAR.

2 WGC YOU PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HIS LIFE IN 2021.

CALLED A FORCE FOR FREEDOM.

THE ROBERT TELL YOUR STORY.

HERE'S A BRIEF EXCERPT.

>> SOMEONE SAID TO ME, HEY, PAUL.

WE HEAR THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF BUNCH OF SURVIVORS OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS PUT SOME MONASTERY COOLS AND IT ENDED.

THAT'S PROBABLY HALF AN HOUR.

IT'S IT'S KIND OF WEST OF MUNICH, THEIR LOANS FOR AND THEY'RE HAVING WHAT THEY CALL A LIBERATION CONCERT TOMORROW.

MAY 27 2.5 OZ.

MY BIGGEST STORY TO A STORY.

>> A STORY THAT WOULD FOREVER CHANGE HIS LIFE AND THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS OTHERS.

HILLIARD HAD STUMBLED UPON A COLLECTION OF RECENTLY FREED CONCENTRATION CAMP OF REFUGEES WHO WERE SHELTERING AT SAINT ITALIAN MONASTERY.

ONCE OCCUPIED BY THE GERMANS AND USED AS A HOSPITAL THE FEEBLE AND SUFFERING.

THEY WERE CELEBRATING LIFE THROUGH MUSIC.

>> SO I KIND OF CHANGE AND I WANT TO LOAN WHAT I SO.

WAS OR MOVIE.

COLAIO.

SO TO ME, RIGHT, THERE WAS MORE TO THE STORY.

IT WAS A COMMITMENT.

HERE WHERE PEOPLE DIE IN FRONT OF MY EYES.

AND NOBODY IS REALLY AN ISSUE.

>> THE BROOKLYN BOY WHO'D WITNESSED OTHERS SUFFERING AS A YOUNGSTER WAS STIRRED TO ACTION WITH THE HELP OF FELLOW SOLDIER EDWARD HERMAN.

HE SET OUT TO TURN THE TIDES.

>> IT SAYS I GOTTA SEE THIS.

SO WE WANT THE SAID HE SAW IT AND HE WAS.

JUSTICE STRUCK AS I WAS.

WE WENT BACK AND WE DECIDED FIRST OBVIOUS THING WAS TO TRY TO GET FOOD.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STARVING.

>> AND SO BEGAN THE EFFORTS OF A 19 YEAR-OLD AND THE 24 YEAR-OLD THAT WOULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF LIVES AND BRING THE PLIGHT OF DISPLACED PERSONS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WAS TO FOOD FROM OUR OWN MISSILE.

WE COMPUNCTION ABOUT IT BECAUSE AS MANY OF THE AREAS WHERE AMERICANS WHO WERE OCCUPYING TOWNS.

IT'S A MESS.

HOLES WERE A PRIME AREA.

4 FOOD.

WE WENT.

WE TOOK IT TO SAY THAT WAS ONE OF THE WAY WE FIT PEOPLE.

THAT'S SEVERAL TIMES.

>> PUTTING HUMANITY ABOVE PROTOCOL, THE YOUNG GIS REPEATEDLY RETURNED TO SAY IN ITALIAN, COLLABORATING WITH A BURGEONING ADHOC STAFF OF FORMER REFUGEES.

THE CAMP WOULD EVENTUALLY BE OVERSEEN BY UN RELIEF AGENCIES.

WHEN HILLIARD CAME UP ON THE SITE, THE REFUGEES WERE IN CRISIS.

HILLIARD AND HERMAN DRAFTED A LETTER TO INFORM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC OF THE PLIGHT OF THESE DISPLACED PERSONS.

>> WE ACCUSED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

CONTINUE TO COLLECT AND WE TOLD OF WHAT WAS NEEDED.

MEDICINES.

THAT ARE HOUSING.

EVERYTHING WAS NEEDED.

AND WE URGE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO GOT THIS LETTER TO SOME BOXES.

AND I REMEMBER WE WENT OUT AND WE GET THIS PRINT.

IT.

WE NEED TO GET AT LEAST 600 TO 80900 LETTERS OF RIGHT AWAY.

>> THE LETTERS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILY FRIENDS, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, YMCA AND OTHER PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS.

AFTER WEEKS PASSED WITH NO RESPONSE, THE GUYS WERE SURPRISED TO LEARN THE PACKAGES HAD BEEN SENT FROM THIS STATE BUT NEVER ARRIVED.

WE COULDN'T IMAGINE.

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

IN THE MEANTIME.

A LETTER WAS CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IT.

BUT IT REACHED PRESIDENT TRUMAN IF A COMPANY TO REALLY NERVOUS.

AND THAT'S IT IN EFFECT.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT WORDS, BUT WE CAN IMAGINE.

WHO ARE THESE 2 CRAZY KIDS MAKING THESE ACCUSATIONS?

FIND OUT ABOUT IT.

EVENTUALLY.

WELL, HARRISON REPORTED BACK.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN, THE HEADLINE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES FRONT PAGE HEADLINE, PRESIDENT.

EISENHOWER.

2 AND NEW ABUSE OF TO US.

SUB HEADLINE.

LIKENS OUR TREATMENT.

TO THAT OF THE NAZIS.

TECH JUST BEGAN TO ARRIVE.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE TRUMAN HAS ORDERED THEM HELD UP AT THE PORT OF EMBARKATION UNTIL IF WE COULD VERIFY.

WHAT WE HAD CLAIMED IN THE SLOT.

IT.

>> NOW YOU CAN WATCH A FORCE FOR FREEDOM.

THE ROBERT HILLIARD STORY AND OTHER VETERANS DAY PROGRAMMING AT WGC.

YOU DOT ORG AS WE ACKNOWLEDGE VETERANS DAY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLES SOME SERVICE MEMBERS FACE WHEN THEY RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

BUT ONE LOCAL GROUP IS LOOKING TO MAINTAIN THE MILITARY STANDARDS.

WELL, BUILDING A COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THEIR TOURS OF DUTY.

WGC USED ELIZABETH AND RG SHOWS US HOW CAMARADERIE, TEAMWORK AND THE GYM OR HELPING THEM ADJUST.

>> SO THAT THEN THEY HAVE YOU DO IT.

>> GETTING A MILITARY AND TRANSITIONING TO REGULAR LIFE IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.

I THINK PROBABLY 30 OF MY FRIENDS SINCE THE FIRST WOMAN TO KILL THEMSELVES UP TO THIS POINT AND WELL, THAT'S NOT LIKE A SUPER COOL STAT.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY INDICATIVE OF HOW.

VETERANS HANDLE THE REAL WORLD AFTER THE NOSE AREA.

MOST OF MY FRIENDS AND I WERE THE SAME OR OTHER IS LIKE A TREND AMONG THEM IS THAT THEY NEVER FOUND SOMETHING TO BE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AFTERWARDS.

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH AFTERWARDS.

>> ARMY VETERAN NICK HAVE IS JUST HOPING TO CHANGE THAT.

HIS GYM SHARK BY FITNESS IS NOW PARTNERING WITH HOME BASE, FLORIDA, A NONPROFIT THAT RUNS THE VETERANS WELLNESS PROGRAM AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY, THE WARRIOR HEALTH AND FITNESS INITIATIVE RUNS 90 DAYS AND COMBINES GROUP WORKOUTS WITH STRESS MANAGEMENT.

THE AIR FORCE VETERAN DEBRA TODD FOUND THE PROGRAM WHEN SHE WAS STRUGGLING.

>> LEAVING THE MILITARY.

I HAD A LOT OF BAGGAGE THAT I WAS TRYING TO WORK THROUGH PTSD.

SOME SURVIVOR GUILT OF THE MEDIC IN THE MILITARY.

US.

I HAVE A LOT OF A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WAS TRYING TO UNPACK.

AND TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO I WAS KIND OF GRASPING FOR RESOURCES.

THE VET CENTER WAS OBVIOUS IT A GREAT CHOICE FOR ME.

>> WITH ROUGHLY 14,000 VETERANS IN CAPE CORAL, HOME BASE HELPS THE NEW LOCATION THAT SHARK BITE GIVE SOME SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO HOME TO FIND THOSE RESOURCES.

TODD SAYS HOME-BASED CHANGE THE WAY SHE VIEWS HER OWNER, TEENS AND YOU HAVE THESE CERTAIN ROLES AND LIFE, WHETHER IT'S BEING A MOTHER BEING A BEING A GOOD FRIEND BEING A HEALTH CARE WORKER.

OUR CARETAKER.

THESE ARE ALL RULES OF THE PLAN LIFE AND CERTAINLY THERE ARE IMPORTANT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, NOBODY ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF MENTALLY PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO REALLY.

GET TO BECOME THE PERSON THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE IN THE PERSON THAT YOU WANT TO BE FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

>> AND THEN SHOT ONE.

>> ORGANIZERS SAY HOME BASE IS FREE FOR VETERANS SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

SIGN-UP INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WGC YOU DOT OR A MONTH LATE.

WGC.

YOU NEWS.

I'M ELIZABETH AND WITH AND A LITTLE MORE.

>> FOR MORE ON THE VETERANS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SHARK, WHITE FITNESS AND NUTRITION YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT SHARK BITE FITNESS DOT COM.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, PROVIDING A HISTORICAL SANCTUARY FOR THE MILITARY HERITAGE OF COLLIER COUNTY.

WE'RE HEADING TO THE VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM TO LEARN MORE.

AS WE CONTINUE OUR VETERANS DAY PROGRAM, WE PRESENT THIS QUOTE FROM FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN.

FREEDOM IS NEVER MORE THAN ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM EXTINCTION.

WE DIDN'T PASS IT TO YOUR CHILDREN IN THE BLOODSTREAM.

IT MUST BE FOUGHT FOR PROTECTED AND HANDED ON FOR THEM TO DO THE SAME.

THE VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM IN NAPLES HONORS THE LEGACY OF A MAN AND THE WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.

IT RELOCATED LAST YEAR AFTER OPENING AT THE NAPLES AIRPORT.

15 YEARS AGO.

WGC IS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH AND ARCHIE HAS >> IT STARTED NEARLY 2 DECADES AGO WITH 2 VETERANS WITH AMBITION INTO AN APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED.

>> THE >> ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION REFORM BACK IN 2006 BY 2 GENTLEMAN THAT JUST ARE WOULD GO TO FLEA MARKETS AND YARD SALES AND PICK UP MILITARY ARTIFACTS.

AND THEN THEY GOT WE GOT OFFERED A SPRAY, SAID THE NAPLES AIRPORT TO SET UP AND THEN THEY SET UP TO PICK THE TABLES OF THEIR ARTIFACTS AND THEY ARE COLLECTED.

AND IT JUST SNOWBALLED FROM THERE.

>> THAT SNOW BALL TURNED INTO AN AVALANCHE IN 2025 AIRPORT RENOVATIONS FORCED THE VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM TO RELOCATE.

VOLUNTEERS MOVED THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF HISTORY, INCLUDING AN ENTIRE TANK.

BUT MUSEUM PRESIDENT DAVID HINES SAYS MOVING, NEVER STOP THEM FROM COLLECTING.

>> WE STARTED I MEAN, SOME EXTRA CASES.

THE KOREA WAR RIYADH.

NOW MORE AND THE GOLF COURSES.

3 SEPARATE ORANGE DURING THE GULF AT ORANGE AND OUT.

SO WE HAVE THAT NOW AND PUSH.

WE ARE AWARE THE WOMEN IN THE MILITARY.

>> FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO WORLD WAR.

2 PLANE FRAGMENTS, THE MUSEUM COVERS NEARLY EVERY AMERICAN CONFLICT FOR HINES, A VIETNAM VETERAN AND THREE-TIME PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT.

THE REAL BATTLE TODAY IS HOW QUICKLY THOSE HISTORY LESSONS ARE FADING.

>> ITS UNFORTUNATE YOU HAVE SOME PEOPLE ARE NOW.

YOU MENTIONED VIETNAM AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE EVERY ANOMALIES THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VIETNAM WAR BECAUSE I GUESS IT'S BEEN TOO LONG.

>> PUTTING THOSE MISSING PIECES TOGETHER STARTS EARLY LIVING IN 8 YEAR-OLD SIBLINGS, LUCIA AND SANTIAGO VILLAVICENCIO WALKED IN.

CURIOUS ABOUT THE BIG AIRCRAFT MODELS AND WALKED OUT REFLECTING ON THE HUMAN COST OF WAR.

>> LAST FALL THAT OIL AND I LIKE THROW AWAY SO SHEEN SO MUCH AGAINST A CHILD THAT AND TRYING TO FIND PEACE BETWEEN AND CHASE BUCHANAN.

COKE MAY MAKE THINGS BECAUSE FOCUS SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR US.

AND THEY SACRIFICED THEMSELVES FOR US.

I THINK WE CAN IMPROVE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH, BUT IT CAN TEASE BY VISITING BODIES AND MAKING PEACE.

>> THE VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM IS RUN ENTIRELY BY VOLUNTEER VETERANS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

IT'S OPEN FROM TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY AND ADMISSION IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC FOR WGC.

YOU NEWS.

I'M LIVES.

BUT THEN VERJEE.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM, NAPLES DOT ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WHEC DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

AND AS WE WRAP UP OUR SPECIAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM, WE WANTED TO LEAVE YOU WITH WORDS FROM FORMER PRESIDENT JOHN F KENNEDY AS WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE, WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT THE HIGHEST APPRECIATION IS NOT TO UTTER WORDS, BUT TO LIVE BY THEM.