LCEC honors soldiers: In a recent ceremony LCEC honored from left, Carlos Gomez and Curt Flynn, right.In the middle is LCEC CEO Dennis Hamilton. Photo by Andrea Galabinski

By ANDREA GALABINSKI

nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com

Officials from several local veterans organizations and the Lee County Electric Coop (LCEC) welcomed home one returning soldier, and honored another reservist for his long service at a recent ceremony.

“They call us heros when we get home, but the true heros are those who support us here – support our friends and families,” said honoree Carlos Gomez. “And those who have not made it back are really the

heroes. I lost a few friends there.”

Representatives from American Legion Post 351, their auxiliary, VFW District 13 and local Veteran Affairs in North Fort Myers helped honor LCEC employees Gomez and Curt Flynn who served in the military reserve while employed at LCEC.

Gomez was in Army National Guard active duty deployment to Afghanistan as a reservist for the last year.

A resident of Lehigh Acres, he was called for his second tour of duty in January, 2009. This was his second deployment since his employment with LCEC began in 2005.

“You meet a lot of people who affect the rest of your life, even though you have only known them a short time,” Gomez said.

He thanked LCEC staff supporters, who sent many care packages while he was deployed.

“You’d be surprised at how much a small note can

mean, and Girl Scout Cookies are like gold,” he said.

The other honoree was Curt Flynn, a recently retired reservist from the U.S. Coast Guard, who was recognized for his two years of active service in the Coast Guard while he was employed at LCEC.

Flynn served as a commander for maritime homeland security from 2004 to 2006.

With more than 20 years service to the Coast Guard, Flynn served in ports all across the U.S. and was deployed several times since 911 to command anti-terrorism in the southeast and Caribbean.

“LCEC is extremely proud to have many heroic employees whose bravery ranges from electric restoration to the fight against terrorism,”

said LCEC spokesman Karen Ryan in the invitation to the event.

“We’re extremely proud of the service they’ve given their country, and we are glad to have them back,” said LCEC CEO Dennie Hamilton.