Changing of guard atop Veterans Council
After a decade of serving, U.S. Coast Guard Chief William C. Carl is stepping down as president of the Collier County Veterans Council. His second-in-command is taking over.
After a decade of serving, U.S. Coast Guard Chief William C. Carl is stepping down as president of the Collier County Veterans Council. His second-in-command is taking over.
During the change of leadership ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Teresa Heitmann also proclaimed March 19 Chief William Carl Day.
“Chief Carl has selflessly devoted his time and leadership to the Veterans Council of Collier County for 10 years, advocating for veterans and ensuring their needs were met while providing a platform for their voices to be heard,” Heitmann said, reading the proclamation. “Chief Carl’s leadership has been instrumental in helping veterans and their families navigate the challenges they face and ensuring they receive the care, resources and the recognition they deserve.
“… Chief Carl’s dedication to service — both in the United States Coast Guard and in the veterans community — has left an incredible mark on Collier County, and his efforts will continue to inspire future generations of veterans and leaders.”
Carl, a Coast Guard combat veteran, spent 33 years in the military, the last 20 in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the ceremony, the council’s vice president, Sgt. Alexander Leoni, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, took the gavel from Carl. A large, 180-pound bronze bust of Carl, which will be featured in the City Hall lobby with the council flag and other military memorabilia, was unveiled by the mayor.
“That was an honor all in itself I didn’t expect,” Carl said, adding it’s already traveled to the Pentagon, White House and many military bases, along with other statues, and was then given to him by the artist.
Instead of keeping it or passing it on to his children to share, he decided to take the mayor up on her offer to display it at City Hall.
The council is an umbrella group covering 20 veterans’ councils countywide. It meets at City Hall at 7 p.m. every third Thursday of the month. Carl’s last council meeting as president was held a day after the ceremony.
For information on the council, go to: collier- county-veterans-council.org.
