FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Ebling, Lee County Veterans Services
             (239) 938-1100

LEE'S FALLEN SOLDIERS REMEMBERED

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 16, 2003) - Lee County will honor two recently fallen soldiers with local ties at a May 23 ceremony in front of the Old County Courthouse in downtown Fort Myers.

The 10 a.m. ceremony will pay homage to Ranger SPC Marc Anderson, killed in Afghanistan last year, and Lance Cpl. David Fribley, killed in the war with Iraq. County Commissioner Andy Coy will serve as master of ceremonies.

The ceremony, where their names will be added to the Veterans Memorial Plaque in front of the courthouse, is being presented by the Board of Lee County Commissioners, Lee County School District and local veterans community.

SPC Marc Anderson was born at Fort Benning Georgia on January 30,1972. Anderson graduated with honors from the Florida State University with a degree in Mathematics. He is remembered as a compassionate teacher who dedicated his time to coaching several sports and one who was eager to help his students. Anderson taught at Fort Myers Middle Academy from 1995-1998. He died in battle in Afghanistan on March 6, 2002.

Lance Cpl. David Fribley grew up 40 miles West of Fort Wayne Indiana. Fribley graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Recreational Management. In April of 2001, he joined the staff of Shell Point Retirement Community as the coordinator for the Resort Services Department. Fribley died in combat on March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Ranger SPC Marc Anderson and Marine Lance Cpl. David Fribley will have their names added to the Lee County Courthouse Veterans Memorial Plaque. The Veterans Memorial Plaque is located in front of the Old Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers. The plaque was originally dedicated on November 11, 1967 and was subsequently updated and rededicated on June 29, 2001.

In his farewell letter to his manager at Shell Point Lance Cpl Fribley stated, "The greatest gift one can give to another is the gift of service." The addition of the names of these two heroes will honor their gift of service by never forgetting their legacy.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION (VETERANS MEMORIAL PLAQUE)

Up to the late 1960s, there was no memorial plaque honoring Lee County veterans on the grounds of the county courthouse in downtown Fort Myers. Park Pigott, Sr., the Lee County Parks and Recreation Director, had always wanted to change that. In 1967, he was driving through Cape Coral when he spotted a large stone that he thought looked like a cross. Pigott, very active in the American Legion, saw an opportunity. He had his staff transport this stone onto the courthouse grounds. Today, that stone serves as the base for a large bronze plaque that is now known as the Lee County Courthouse Veterans Memorial Plaque. The monument was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 1967.

Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair. Additionally, the United States had fought in several wars since then and consequently, names of the honored dead were now missing from the plaque. Mary Charles Chernin, a long time resident of Lee County, came up with the idea of updating the plaque several years ago. She began by contacting local officials to promote her idea. Progress proved slow. In March of 2001, Alice Peters, General Manager of Springwood Court by Marriott Assisted Living Community approached the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to see if these problems could be rectified. Andrew W. Coy, the Board's liaison to Veterans Affairs, formed a committee of county government staff and citizens. The committee agreed that something could and should be done. It was at that point that Mrs. Peters and John Ebling, the Director of the Lee County Veterans Service Office, spearheaded the effort to update the memorial by including all Lee County residents who died in US wars during the 20th century. Marriott Calusa Harbour and Springwood Court by Marriott shared in the enthusiasm and support for the effort to update and rededicate this memorial. Lee County Division of Facilities Management assisted with the plaque refurbishing and financed the renovation costs. The re-dedication of the monument occurred on June 29, 2001.

Mrs. Peters got involved in the project after one of her residents, Gordon Colcord, 84, asked to display a 1965 Memorial Day News-Press article that listed those Lee County residents who had died in battle since World War I. The article, titled "Lest We Forget," included many of Colcord's friends who died in World War II. Peters wanted to complete the list but couldn't find anyone who had kept it updated. It was then that she contacted the Lee County Board of County Commissioners seeking assistance with this project.

Today, May 23, 2003 is a solemn day at the Lee County Courthouse Veterans Memorial Plaque. The Board of County Commissioners, the School District of Lee County and the veterans' community memorialize Marc Anderson and David Fribley who gave their lives during military service so that their fellow Americans could live in freedom in our great country……… "Lest We Forget."

BIOGRAPHIES

MARC ANDERSON

Marc Anderson was born at Fort Benning, Georgia on January 30, 1972. One of three sons of a military family, he was an excellent student and athlete. He graduated from high school in 1990 from Alliance High School in Alliance, Ohio as a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the All-State Track and Football teams and one of the top wrestlers in the state. In middle school, he won seven national wrestling titles and the world wrestling championship.

As a student at Florida State University, he was selected to the All-American Track Team with the 8th farthest shot put in school history. At his graduation, with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in mathematics, he received the Golden Torch Award as the top student athlete at FSU.

Marc taught and coached several sports at Fort Myers Middle Academy from 1995 to 1998. He was very proud of his country and the military heritage of his family. Although he dearly loved teaching and truly cared for his students, he felt the need to join the military so as not to default on student loans. After completing the Army's Basic and Advanced training courses, Marc was selected for Ranger School. Although the course was hard and many of his classmates didn't succeed, Marc toughed it out and was proudly presented his Ranger Tab by his father, a former Ranger.

Although Marc was no longer technically a schoolteacher, he often came back and talked to the students. In his uniform, he would tell them that what they were learning in school would matter in the real world. Marc was a dedicated professional when it came to his chosen profession - teaching. It is understood that even in Afghanistan, he taught some of his fellow soldiers and some of the locals as well.

Marc never really stopped teaching and those who knew him have learned so much from him, even from his death.

Marc Anderson died in Afghanistan fighting worldwide terrorism while trying to preserve America's freedom.

DAVID FRIBLEY

David Fribley grew up about 40 miles west of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and as a Tiger at Warsaw Community High School, he lettered in football and track & field. He then attended Indian State University on a track and field scholarship. His father also coached track at the high school for 20 years.

He graduated from ISU with a degree in recreational management and followed that with an internship at a resort in St. Petersburg. In April 2001, he joined Shell Point Retirement Community as a coordinator for the resort services department that serves more than 1,700 residents.

He loved listening to country singer Kenny Chesney, line dancing, going to the beach and lifting weights. At Shell Point, he started an adventure group and took residents on kayaking and fishing trips.

David also worked part-time at the front desk for Asylum Fitness Club in Fort Myers to make up for the expense of using the equipment. David worked out often so he could be in shape for the Marines.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, David decided to live his dream and become a United States Marine. When he left for Camp Lejeune, NC, in 2002, he wrote a farewell letter to his manager at Shell Point. In the letter he stated, "The greatest gift one can give to another is the gift of service. I do not know who said this, but I have heard the saying before. The following is my gift to you and others: May I honor you and our fellow countrymen and women. I will earn the privilege to wear the eagle, globe and anchor for all those that cannot. With all the strength of my fellow Marines, we shall always provide you with the comforting feeling of safety that you have each day."

David Fribley died in Iraq trying to bring freedom to those citizens while defending the American ideals and democracy.