When asked how long the luncheon tradition has been going, Danny didn’t hesitate. “This is our first year doing it.” Danny has worked with Chief Easton and Sheriff Hoffman on ceremonies for Loyalty Day and when the First Responders Monument went up at Veterans Park. Those kinds of ceremonies are familiar territory, but hosting a cookout just for the first responders is new. 

Events at the post draw all kinds of crowds. “In September, the snowbirds aren’t here yet, but we still have a decent turnout.” The post itself counts 256 members, plus about 200 in the Auxiliary. Things pick up during the season, especially when they host their rib and chicken dinners, which always bring in a crowd.

Danny’s not new to the VFW, far from it. He transferred down to Englewood in 2017 and stepped into the commander role in 2018. “On and off altogether, I’ve been commander going on my seventh year, because I just became commander again for next year.” Twenty-nine years with the VFW.

So what keeps him coming back? “I care about the veterans,” Danny said. The post partners with groups like the EPIC Community Resource Center of Englewood Florida. When a veteran needs a ramp built, the VFW provides the funding for materials, and the EPIC Center provides the labor. “It’s support for the veterans in our local area and the veterans who come down during the season. We get them all together for the camaraderie,” he said.

Things have changed a lot since he first arrived. “My first three years as commander, we revamped the whole place inside, made it more inviting, more family-oriented. Now we’ve got pool, air hockey, and corn hole games. We’re planning movie nights.” Most importantly, though, is giving veterans a home, a place that actually feels warm, where they know the camaraderie matters.

“It’s not what it used to be,” Danny said. “We’ve cleaned it up, and it’s non-smoking and family-oriented.”

The Auxiliary, he explained, has been a lifeline. These are spouses or family members of veterans who served during wartime, and they “support us whole-heartedly. That’s their purpose—to serve the veterans and help with the post.”

Danny himself put in 20 years in the Army. “I joined in ‘75 and retired in ‘94.” His family is military through and through; three brothers all served in Vietnam, two in the Army and one in the Marines. “I saw what they went through, and a lot of the old Vietnam vets. It was kind of shameful when they came back. People treated them terribly. Even a lot of VFW clubs wouldn’t recognize them. That’s all changed.”

Now, on March 29th every year, the post hosts a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony. They run the Pearl Harbor Day event too, usually with a flyover. “For Memorial Day, we’ll be at the cemetery.” Danny handles the flag placement. He’s done it for about ten years, putting flags at the old Lemon Bay Funeral Home cemetery. “My health’s starting to decline so I’m trying to find someone to take over. The ground’s tough up there: rock, sand, oyster shell. I made my own long drill bit to get the flags in. If there’s a way, we’ll find it.”

As for Memorial Day, the post partners with Lemon Bay High’s Navy Junior ROTC, led by Darren Glaser, a retired Navy captain and the post’s senior vice commander. “The cadets bring up their sabers for the Gold Star families. I’m recruiting people from each branch of service to help place wreaths.”

So, if you’re a veteran living nearby, Danny hopes you’ll stop in, especially as the post looks to the future. “We’re very inviting. It’s all about camaraderie and bringing more veterans into the fold. We’ve lost 14 members this year already, and most are snowbirds or older, but we’re building something here.”

There’s another reason to celebrate. “The post is making the All-State Award, which is high in the state. And we’re also going to be presented with the All-American Award through the National VFW, which is hard to get. I mean, that’s one of the highest awards you can get through the VFW. My wife and I will head to the National Convention this year, in Reno, to get the award for our post.”

The VFW has scheduled the Appreciation Luncheon for First Responders for Tuesday, May 19th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 550 N. McCall Road, Englewood. All first responders are welcome to come out, relax, and enjoy some good (and free) food and solid company.

Want to volunteer? Whether you want to man the grill or help plate food, reach out to Sarah at (941) 949-7759. They’d love the help. Or check out their website at vfwpost10178.org.

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Volunteer opportunities include helping with post beautification projects, assisting with event planning, participating in community outreach efforts, and lending a hand in Clyde’s Galley, the post’s food service area where meals are prepared and served during events, meetings, and community gatherings. The galley plays an important role in bringing members and guests together and must rely heavily on volunteer support for food preparation, serving, and cleanup.

Post leaders say volunteers are essential to creating an engaging and welcoming environment for members and visitors while strengthening connections within the broader community. Volunteering also offers a meaningful way to support veterans through hands-on service.

If you would like to help out, please email info@vfwpost10178.org or visit their Facebook page,  VFW Post 10178 Englewood, for more information on current needs and upcoming opportunities.

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Festivities begin Saturday, November 8, when Operation Healing Heroes Foundation presents Red White & Brew: Toast 2 Troops at 2:00 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. The free public event celebrates courage, sacrifice and healing in honor of America’s heroes. Guests can enjoy craft beer tastings (tickets available at www.Toast2Troops.com, , food trucks, and live music by Warrior Beats and Florida Hit Machine. Special guests include Paul Sr., Jessie G, and Gold Star Family member Sheila Mitchell-Murphy. All proceeds benefit Operation Healing Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit that shares veterans’ stories and supports those battling PTSD.

On Tuesday, November 11, Englewood Elementary School will hold a Veterans Day Celebration beginning with the National Anthem at 8:45 a.m. and a whole-school concert at 9:00 a.m. honoring veterans. Families and community members are welcome. Guests should bring a valid photo ID, arrive early for check-in, and reserve parking for veterans.

The American Legion Post 113, 3436 Indiana Road in Rotonda, will host a Veterans Day Service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch. Veterans dine at no charge; others may contribute by donation.

That evening, VFW Post 10178, 550 N. McCall Road, will serve free hamburgers or cheeseburgers for veterans from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Non-veterans can purchase a meal for $9, including chips. Proof of service, such as a VA or DoD card or veterans organization membership, is requested.

Other nearby observances include the Charlotte County Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, at 9:00 a.m. at Port Charlotte Beach Park, and the Sarasota Veterans Day Parade on November 11 at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street, followed by a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

Each event reflects Englewood’s deep appreciation for those who have served and its commitment to honoring their sacrifice with gratitude and community spirit.

The post Englewood Honors Veterans with Ceremonies and Services appeared first on Englewood Review.

A packed crowd filled Landy’s Restaurant on Thursday night as six candidates and their supporters gathered for the grand reveal of the Englewood Pioneer Days Mayor for a Day fundraiser.

When the final tally was announced, Petreccia D. Samuels, known by many supporters as “Pet”, was named Englewood’s 2025 Mayor for a Day after raising more than $17,000 for the Englewood Food Pantry.

Pet later shared a heartfelt message of gratitude on Facebook. “This victory is not mine alone, but ours as a community,” she wrote, praising her fellow contestants for their teamwork and passion. “It never truly felt like a competition, rather, it felt like teamwork. Each of us worked side by side, lifting up one another while lifting up the people of Englewood.”

She credited her faith for guiding her through the campaign, adding: “Before my first debate I sat and had a conversation with God and I told Him I have no clue what I was doing and that He’s going to have to help me out. And guess what, we all see what He did. It’s not of me but because of Him.”

Outgoing Mayor Laura Roy congratulated Samuels, calling her “a beacon of hope for those less fortunate in our community.”

Six Candidates, One Cause: To support Englewood

This year’s Mayor for a Day contest featured six candidates, each representing a local nonprofit:

• Petreccia Samuels – Englewood Food Pantry (Winner, $17,000)
• Darla Mapes – Englewood Recovery Oasis (2nd Place, $13,645.)
• Ed Kinsey – VFW Post 10178 Veterans Relief Fund (3rd Place, over $11,000)
• Addison Morey – Junior Leadership Englewood
• Lucy White – YMCA, fundraising for a new playground
• Sonnie Hall – Englewood Area Cancer Foundation

Together, the candidates raised more than $65,000 to benefit local organizations.

Mapes, who finished in second place, thanked her supporters, saying, “All for such a good cause. Thank you to everyone who supported our organization.” Kinsey, who placed third, noted, “I’ve lived here all my life, and I see that sometimes people don’t realize what a great community Englewood is. When we come together, things get done. We can do anything!”

Candidate Addison Morey added, “Our community is one of a kind. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Englewood.”

The event drew a large crowd, including eight former mayors and one grand marshal. Those recognized included past Grand Marshal EstherHorton, and past Mayors, Linda Stevens, Margo Grimshaw, John Mead, Debra Mosley, Charlie Hicks, Janet Shawen, Rebecca DeRosa and 2024 Mayor Laura Roy.

In a special presentation, members of the Sunrise Rotary—Dennis Guzik, Ray Labadie and John Meade—presented a $5,000 check to Linda Stevens of FAME (Friends for the Advancement of Musical Education) to purchase much-needed instruments for local schools.

The “Mayor for a Day” tradition has long been a highlight of Pioneer Days, bringing neighbors together in support of local charities. As Samuels reminded her supporters, quoting Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This year, Englewood reaped a harvest of generosity, raising funds, awareness and hope.

Next up: Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound Park, 10AM Saturday, August 30. See you there!

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