Summertime Remembrances by Lois Bolin, Ph.D., Old Naples Historian

SUMMERTIME IS FAMILY AND FUN TIME!

Collier County has many remembrances to celebrate during the summertime. The City of Naples, once called a ‘nothing-to-do-in little town’ in a 1949 Florida Trend magazine article, and was also once called ‘the little bend in the road’. The road to which they were referring was the Tamiami Trail, completed April 26, 1928, by Baron Gift Collier, whose personal pledge to finish the highway between Tampa and Miami led the Florida State Legislature to create Collier County on May 8, 1923.

On Collier County’s 22nd birthday, there was a bigger celebration Naples shared with America –VE Day-the ending of WWII in Europe. VE Day is part of several remembrance days in the month of May, which eventually led the United States Congress in 1999 to make May our official National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM).

Each May, Naples traditionally celebrates Military Appreciation month; but at Life in Naples, we offer opportunities to appreciate our Veterans, active military, first responders and their families all summer long. Here is a list of all 2025 holidays, observances and events recognized in May, June, and July where you, your family or company can pay special tribute to a variety of groups that make our country and county so special.

MAY
Month of the Military Caregiver
National Military Appreciation
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW): first full week in May
National Correctional Officers Week: first full week in May
Silver Star Service Banner Day: May 1
Loyalty Day: May 1
National Day of Prayer: First Thursday of May
National Nurses Week: May 6 – May 12
VE Day: May 8 (Victory in Europe)
Military Spouse Appreciation Day: Friday before Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day: 2nd Sunday in May
Armed Forces Week: begins the 2nd Saturday of May
Children of Fallen Patriots Day: May 13
Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 15
Armed Forces Day: 3rd Saturday in May
Maritime Day: May 22
Memorial Day: last Monday in May

JUNE
PTSD Awareness Month
D-Day: June 6
Women Veterans Day: June 12
Army Birthday: June 14
U.S. Flag Day: June 14
National Flag Week: the week that includes June 14
POTUS Donald J. Trump Birthday: June 14
Father’s Day: 3rd Sunday in June
Veterans Golden Age Games: May 31 – June 5
Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday: June 23
PTSD Awareness Day: June 27

JULY
Independence Day: July 4
National Hire a Veteran Day: July 25
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: July 27
National Buffalo Soldiers Day: July 28
Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary: July 29

A FAMILY AFFAIR
Summertime is for  families and this summer is offering a special opportunity for one of our local families –a beauty pageant– not just any beauty pageant – a pageant which promotes today’s married women, their accomplishments, and commitment to family and marriage.

The concept of bringing together a group of women and judging their beauty to crown a winner date back to the ancient Greeks.
But it wasn’t until the 19th century that the formal modern contest that we all know today, began to take shape. Yes, beauty pageants, a dazzling spectacle where “tiaras meet tears, rhinestones clash with ribbons, and where the art of walking in heels is raised to a competitive sport.”

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Mrs. International Competition under the leadership of CEO, Mel Richardson and Executive Director, Mary Richardson,
have established the premiere pageant for married women. The Mrs. International® Competition 2025 will be held July 18-19,
2025, in Kingsport, Tennessee. Events and activities leading up to the Pageant begin on July 14, 2025, giving each contestant the opportunity to learn about customs and family life in other countries, along with the chance to share her beliefs and make new friends.

Mrs. International® was developed to have higher standards than other pageant systems. The focus behind Mrs. International® is to showcase women 21 to 56 years old, married at least six months and a resident of the state or a citizen of the country she represents. Each contestant competes in Interview Competition, which is valued for 50% of her overall score, Evening Gown, valued for 25% and Fitness Wear for 25%. Each contestant has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice that she spends the year promoting. Husbands are a direct part of the show, escorting their wives in the Evening Gown competition, and the husband crowns his wife title holder.

We want to wish this stellar professional, outstanding wife, and mom of 5 the best of luck at the upcoming Mrs. International®
competition, Dr. Kanema Clark.

This summer we will surely have many remembrances to celebrate. Stay Safe