Earl Kennedy (Parkwood), John Thomas (Springs), Bob Cardin (Harbor Court), Jay Bubb (Parkwood), Jim Stapleton (Harbor Court)
Shell Point Honors Veterans A MEMORIAL FOR ALL WHO SERVED
As the nation marked its 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, a new All Veterans Memorial was dedicated at Centennial Park in Fort Myers. Created to honor the service and sacrifice of veter- ans across Southwest Florida, the memorial has a special connection to members of the Shell Point Veterans Group who are living out the group’s guiding principle: Never Stop Serving. For Earl Kennedy (Parkwood), who spent 20 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, the dedication marked the com- pletion of a project nearly five years in the making. Earl served as president of All Veterans Memorial, Inc., with Shell Point Veterans Group Coordinators Bob Cardin (Harbor Court) and Jim Stapleton (Harbor Court) joining him on the committee’s board of directors. Jay Bubb (Parkwood) and John Thomas (Springs) also served on the committee. The idea for the memorial grew from the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, a nonprofit founded by World War II veterans in 1985 to assist Combat Infantry
Badge recipients and their families. All Veterans Memorial, Inc. was formed to lead the project. Over the next several years, the commit- tee worked through a dozen versions of the design before settling on the final concept with Tampa-based sculptor Steven Dickey, whose bronze works grace Tribby Arts Center’s outdoor sculpture garden. Fund- raising throughout the local community, including donations from Shell Point residents, helped move the plans forward. “This is a very patriotic community,” Earl said. “Our residents are the greatest when it comes to patriotism.” The approximately 25-foot circular memorial features a granite centerpiece with plaques recognizing Blue Star Families, who have a loved one serving in the military, and Gold Star Families, who have lost a loved one in military service. Six 1,000-pound granite pedestals radiate from the center to honor the branches of the United States mil- itary, while a 400-pound bronze bugler faces the 25-foot flagpole. At the front, a granite Rolling Thunder Chair of Honor represents
prisoners of war and those missing in action. The project brought together the City of Fort Myers, Grace Design Studios, Johnson Engineering, now part of Apex Companies, Steven Dickey, trade partners and community supporters. Suffolk Construction contrib- uted in-kind construction management, design coordination, and permitting services to help bring the vision to life. “As a veteran myself, the All Veterans Memorial holds deep personal meaning,” said City of Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Ander- son. “Our community is proud to recognize and honor those who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice, and this memorial stands as a lasting tribute to their service and a reminder that their commitment to our freedoms will never be forgotten.” Earl and Shell Point Veterans Group members joined veterans, families, and com- munity members for the July 4 dedication. Mayor Anderson served as keynote speaker, while the Mariner High School JROTC presented the colors and raised the American and POW/MIA flags. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” Earl said. “I’ll never forget it.”
Shell Point Life | Fall 2026
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