Noontime Rotary Salute to Heroes Luncheon

The Marco Island Noontime Rotary held its regular meeting on Thursday, the 19th. In addition to their planned agenda, they also touched on the success of their first Salute to Heroes Luncheon and their annual Flags for Heroes.

President Elect, Joe Nolan, summarized the Salute to Heroes luncheon, a first of its kind in the way of an upscale luncheon at the Marco Island Yacht Club, “We sold out!” He was pleased to say, going on to share what a tremendous success the cash call was that afternoon.

The significance of the Flags for Heroes event and the meaning it brings to those in attendance and for those who were honored with representation is a pure definition of community.

“Flags for Heroes was meant as a moment of reflection,” said Noontime Rotary membership chair Detlef Rethage. “To say, ‘look, some of the heroes are really doing great stuff. They risk their lives for us’ and we really want to thank them.”

The results of both events led the Noontime Rotary to choose Warrior Homes of Collier County and the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation to evenly distribute the funds raised.

Before the checks were given, Rethage took the time to talk about not only a supporter of the Rotary, but also a dear friend of his.

Michael Montgomery was the Grand Event Sponsor for Flags for Heroes in both ’25 and ’26. In addition to donating generously each year, the company that he is a co-founder of, HydroLOGICA, was a sponsor.

Turning the attention of the room to a glass of water in his hand, Rethage dealt a harsh truth, “With eight billion people on this planet, two billion of them don't have access to drinking water on a regular basis. And there's one man who changed this.” He called up Montgomery. “HydroLOGICA is providing equipment, expertise, and training to get people clean water in rural areas where they don't have any,” said Rethage, who pinned Montgomery with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Montgomery thanked the Rotary and further educated the room on his work. He explained the process of setting up the equipment and the six-week apprenticeship program, where one learns to operate and maintain it. He was pleased to share updates on a current five-year project in Kenya, where a kiosk will be available for people to come for water that is within a 15-minute walk from their homes.

“Now we come to the fun part, the checks!” Rethage laughed.

Beginning with Warrior Homes of Collier County, he called up Director Barbara Salkow. “Think about it: We send veterans to other countries to defend our freedom, and then they can come home. They cannot afford a living. They cannot afford a home in Collier County. That's unthinkable. It was Warrior Homes of Collier who said we will change this,” said Rethage.

Warrior Homes of Collier was founded by current president and Vietnam veteran, Dale Mullin, who saw that many of his fellow veterans were not getting the services or support that they needed. Locally ranging in ages 33-92, there are a lot of different challenges and needs from mental health, education, and housing that are sought after.

Six years ago, the first house opened with seven beds. Now, they are wrapping up renovations on another home that, once complete, will bring a total of 59 beds for otherwise homeless veterans.

Salkhow thanked the Rotarians, “First, I just wanted to tell you how grateful we are with this tremendous donation. This is an exciting time to be involved!”

“This will help us achieve what's called functional zero homelessness, which means everybody in Collier County who wants to be housed will have a place to live,” said Barbara. “Thank you. It's groups like yours that make this possible.”

The second organization recognized was Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation, cited as a foundation that perfectly aligns with the Rotary mission – to support families in critical need, education, and more.

Fire Rescue Foundation President Dianna Dohm and Fire Chief Chris Byrne joined the podium.

“We have been in existence since 2007 when local citizens got together and realized that our first responders, who are always there for us, need us, as a community, to be there for them,” said Dohm. “If a firefighter or fire inspector needs any kind of assistance, whether it be financial, whether it be mental assistance, whether it be any kind of housing…we have to remember that they are here for us in any kind of emergency.”

Growing somber, she and Chief Byrne shared that during times of national disasters such as hurricanes, the servicemen send their families away so that they can serve for as long as it takes to get the community back up and running safely.

“They're spending all their time and efforts to be here for us, and we feel that we need to be there for them when they need it. That is our community mission,” said Dohm.

Emotions of shock, joy, and abounding gratitude were displayed as each organization was given a check for $11,000.

The work of Noontime Rotary never ceases, nor does that of HydroLOGICA, Warrior Homes of Collier County, and Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation.