Pride and Patriotism | City celebration, Freedom Fleet boat parade among Flag Day events
There are a few different ways for Cape Coral and Southwest Florida residents to celebrate Flag Day next weekend.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day, a tradition that continues to inspire pride and patriotism across the nation.
The city of Cape Coral invites residents and visitors to its 2025 Flag Day Celebration. City leaders will commemorate this patriotic occasion with a special ceremony.
The Cape hosted its inaugural Flag Day celebration in 2023, making this the third year the city has held a Flag Day ceremony.
“Recognizing Flag Day honors the enduring values of freedom, unity, and patriotism symbolized by the American flag,” said city spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen. “The ceremony serves as a tribute to the principles our nation holds dear — liberty and unity — and acknowledges the dedication of service members who have preserved those values.”
The event will take place on Saturday, June 14, at 9 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Area in Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, at 2500 SE 24th St.
“Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is an ideal patriotic venue for the Flag Day ceremony because it features a dedicated Veterans Memorial Area that honors those who have served in the U.S. armed forces,” Mullen said. “The Veterans Memorial Area, with its memorials and year-round accessibility, underscores the city’s commitment to honoring military service and provides a meaningful backdrop for a ceremony centered on national pride and remembrance.”
As part of the ceremony, Cape Coral City Council Presiding Officer Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, accompanied by Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station Cape Coral, will respectfully retire the American flag currently posted at the park and raise a new one in its place.
“Flag Day is a powerful reminder of the values that unite us as a community and a nation-freedom, service, and resilience,” Nelson-Lastra said. “I’m honored to stand with the people of Cape Coral as we pay tribute to the symbol of our democracy and the brave individuals who have defended it.”
The flag will be properly retired in accordance with Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1. Residents wishing to properly retire an American Flag can do so at City Hall by submitting it to the flag collection box near the fountain.
Mullen added, “Residents are encouraged to attend the Flag Day ceremony to join their community in honoring the American flag and the values it represents. The event offers an opportunity for collective reflection on the nation’s history, the sacrifices of veterans, and the importance of unity. By coming together at a venue like Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, residents can experience a sense of community pride and contribute to a respectful tribute to the nation’s symbols and ideals.”
Freedom Fleet
On June 14 at 10 a.m., The Lee GOP America First Club will celebrate patriotism in motion at “Freedom Fleet – Sailing the Sovereign Seas,” a red, white, and blue boat parade on the Caloosahatchee in Fort Myers. Organizers state that this event may be “one of the best Flag Day events Lee County has seen in a long time.”
Organizers state the event will honor historic milestones, such as the adoption of the American flag, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and President Donald J. Trump’s birthday with a “Made in the U.S.A.” theme that “proudly celebrates American freedom, strength, spirit, and small business.”
“Our ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ theme, reflects our club’s commitment to uplifting American-made products, supporting small businesses, and honoring the hardworking people who fuel our economy and defend our freedom,” stated event organizers. “This is more than a celebration — it’s about preserving the America First agenda here, in Lee County and standing proudly for our shared values.”
Those who wish to take part are asked to gather near the Midpoint Bridge at 10 a.m.
For more information, contact the Lee County GOP Headquarters at 239-936-8779 or visit leegop.org.
Flag Day flag collection
Fuller Metz in Cape Coral and Harvey-Engelhardt in Fort Myers have scheduled a joint event to mark Flag Day.
The funeral service providers will collect worn and tattered American flags from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, June 13, at their respective locations.
Those who bring in a flag for retirement will receive a new flag for free.
Fuller-Metz is at 3740 De; Prado Bold S. Harvey-Engelhardt is at 1600 Colonial Blvd.