SWFL fire station, bikers honor veteran in Christmas tradition

NAPLES, Fla. — The North Collier Fire Rescue District and the Paradise HOG Chapter of Naples delivered a special Christmas surprise to a Southwest Florida veteran Sunday morning.

Veteran Wilfredo Vasquez, who served 30 years in the Army, was surprised when he learned he was being honored.

“I’m usually on the other side presenting the honors, and this time I’m the other side, so it’s kind of overwhelming,” he said.

Vasquez helped start this tradition four years ago. Every year, the department honors a veteran on Christmas Day with a large display of bikes, trucks and an honor guard.

This annual tradition is something firefighter Ryan Bellamy said he’s proud to be part of.

“These guys are the real heroes,” he said. “They go and give the ultimate sacrifice.”

George Moulton, membership coordinator of the Paradise HOG Chapter of Naples, believe veterans need to be recognized year-round.

“They’re the ones who actually give us the freedom, so we can actually go and do stuff like that,” he said. “It’s important to recognize them.”

Shortly after the event, bikers, firefighters and veterans traveled to the North Collier Pediatric Center with Team Damian to deliver “superhero packs” to children spending Christmas in the hospital.