“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” - G. K. Chesterton
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill
Welcome
Thank you for visiting the Sarasota County Veterans Commission Blog! We support the Active, Guard, and Reserve military forces protecting this great Nation, our veterans, their families and orphaned children.
The Commission represents over fifty veterans, military and patriotic associations and their auxiliaries in Sarasota County, Florida.
Elected Officers:
President - Dr. Rich Swier Vice President - Andy Hooker Secretary/Treasurer - Gen Fowler
Appointed Officers:
Chaplain - Lelia Taylor Sergeant-at-Arms - Jim McSorley
Richard holds a Doctorate of Education, a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Rich is a 23-year Army veteran who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his years of service. Additionally, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism in ground combat, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Richard was the Founder/CEO of Sarasota Online, a high technology company that was sold to Comcast Cable in 1996. Richard twice chaired the Sarasota Better Business Council and sat on the Board of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
He currently serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and on an advisory committee to the Sarasota County School Board. He is President of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission, and has been appointed as Chairman of the Sarasota National Cemetery Advisory Committee by Congressman Vern Buchanan.