Tommy Madi of Slim Chickens, which provided food at the event, and his friend Maria Guardado, walk over the Ringling Bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
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Before Memorial Day on Monday, army veteran Rick Stegmeier enjoys gathering with his fellow veterans, who number high among the many attendees at the Memorial Day hike two days prior.
"The Saturday before, we all get together, we get some sweat equity, and it's just in remembrance and honor of the ones that can't be here with us to do it today," he said.
Held May 24, the 10th Annual Memorial Hike began at J.D. Hamel Park, heading over the Ringling Bridge and then back to the park for live music, a cookout featuring food by Slim Chickens, and inflatables.
After attendees returned, the event offered further honors by providing cars to Navy veteran David Mattis and Navy and Marine Corps veteran Gerry Jones.
Mattis lost one leg to vascular disease and had also struggled with drug use. He had spent eight months on the streets, in a wheelchair, before he attended the Department of Veterans Affairs' rehab program and gained housing with Veterans Village USA.
"I'd like to thank SRQ Vets for giving me a car, and for all the donors that made that possible, and for all the veterans that came out here to enjoy the celebration that we have, and I thank God for this car, and it will extremely help me," said Mattis.
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Preston Kehs, 18, is the son of Rob Kehs and founded P&E Auto Detailing with Evan Eckert, fixes up the car for veteran Gerry Jones.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Air Force veteran Jason Westlake and his wife Colie Westlake pose with Riley Romano, 10, her mother Ashley Romano, brother Ryan Romano, 7, and father Michael Romano, an army veteran.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Zeke Perez, 7, participates in the ceremony.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Linda Stutzman and Nadia Partsch start out on the hike.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Photo by Ian Swaby
Emily Huetten carries her son Tyler Huetten, 4.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hikers head towards the Ringling Bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kelly Westover and her children Zach Westover, 19, and Nathan Westover, 15, walk the family's dogs Blue and Marlin.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jean Stegmeier, her son Carson Stegmeier, 7, and husband Rick Stegmeier walk up the Ringling Bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Joshua Ott and Charlie Reeder walk over the Ringling Bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Walkers head back across the Ringling Bridge, with Leo Sterbinsky, 9, in front.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tommy Madi of Slim Chickens, which provided food at the event, and his friend Maria Guardado, walk over the Ringling Bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hikers gather in front of the "Unconditional Surrender" statue.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Todd Hughes, Ghost, and Rob Kehs of SRQ Vets make an announcement.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Military veteran David Mattis, a car recipient, talks with Kimber Fonville, 3, and her brother Kane Fonville, 4.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rob Kehs announces the donation of the vehicles, as veteran David Mattis cheers for his new car, standing next to Preston Kehs.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Navy and Marine Corps veteran Gerry Jones applauds as he receives his car.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Navy veteran David Mattis stands with his new car.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
