Community members, military speakers and Gold Star families, a title for the immediate family of U.S. military service members who died in line of duty, gathered outside Gainesville Health & Fitness Tuesday evening.
Held at the gym’s main center, to celebrate the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary with patriotic displays, military tributes and the unveiling of a large eagle sculpture created to honor service members and remember those who died in military service.
For Gainesville Health & Fitness owner Joe Cirulli, the event reflected values he said shaped his life.
His family life inspired him to create a celebration focused not only on patriotism but also on helping attendees understand the military’s role in the country’s history.
“I grew up in a military family, so I knew what patriotism was,” Cirulli said.
The program moved through each branch of the military in historical order, beginning with the Army and continuing through the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. Speakers discussed the origins and purpose of each branch while patriotic music accompanied visual displays.
One of the evening’s most emotional moments centered on Gold Star families, relatives of military members who died while serving.
Lee Vincent, speaking on behalf of Gold Star families, said Americans enjoy freedoms because of those who have served and sacrificed.
“No one aspires to be in this group,” Vincent said.
He recognized families in attendance and reflected on memorials dedicated to Gold Star families across the country, emphasizing both loss and resilience.
Former military members also shared personal reflections.
Rusty Whitt, a former Green Beret and current director of football performance for the Florida Gators, addressed Gold Star families directly.
“The worst thing about loss and grief is loneliness,” Whitt said. “You are not alone tonight.”
Whitt encouraged families to continue sharing stories and honoring the memories of loved ones lost in service.
Outside of the formal program, attendees connected the event to their own families and experiences.
Jennifer Heitzler, a 23-year-old Santa Fe College accounting major, said she decided to attend after hearing about the event from her mother and was especially interested because of her father’s military service.
“My dad actually was in the Air Force, and he was deployed in Iraq,” Heitzler said. “It would be nice to hear other people’s experiences.”
She said the gathering felt meaningful because it brought together people from across the community.
“It feels a bit more special in a sense of, like, ‘This is my country,’” Heitzler said.
For some attendees, the event also became a behind-the-scenes effort.
Raelyn Henson, a 19-year-old UF marketing major who works on social media for Gainesville Health & Fitness, attended to film the event and capture content.
She said she especially enjoyed hearing speakers reflect on their military experiences and seeing the sculpture’s final presentation.
“I loved hearing the speakers,” she said, “and Glen worked on the eagle for months.”
The evening continued with the unveiling of a large illuminated eagle sculpture displayed outside the facility.
Artist Glen Purdy said the sculpture, built from PVC and weighing about 1,200 pounds, began as a simple idea.
“Joe said, ‘I want you to build me an eagle, and I want it to be big,’” Purdy said.
The project became more than an art installation, he added.
“We did it for the Gold Star families,” he said. “So long as the eagle’s out there, they’ll always be remembered.”
After the unveiling, guests gathered outside for refreshments and conversation as the celebration continued into the night.
Sam Rislin is a contributing writer for The Alligator.
