The Wandering Disciple

A deputy from the Lee County Sheriff's Office marshals in a US Navy helicopter during the American Heroes Air Show. Held at JetBlue Park in 2013, the American Heroes Air Show is a one of a kind helicopter only airshow featuring helicopters from local law enforcement, military, government and civilian operators.  Founded in 1996, the American Heroes Air Show mission is to showcase the dynamic capabilities of rotary-wing aircraft. Since then it has been used as a recruiting tool for the heroes of the show as well as an immigration and naturalization platform. The show occurs yearly in a different location. The 2024 show is scheduled for Los Angeles.  Taken: January 19, 2013 at JetBlue Park (Fort Myers, FL)

Fort Myers, Florida: The Florida Complex League began their 2023 season this week throughout Florida. The FCL is a rookie level league in the Minor League Baseball system and is typically the bottom level of affiliated baseball in the United States and is played in the spring training homes of the major league clubs in Florida.  On Thursday afternoon, the FCL Red Sox hosted the FCL Rays at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. After a brief delay due to a quick shower that passed through, the teams got things started in their third game of the season.  The Red Sox jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single by Johnfrank Salazar in the first inning that scored Marvin Alcantara to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.  They extended their lead in the second inning by pushing across a pair of runs. Angel Pierre drove home Karim Aybui with an RBI triple to right. Then it was Alcantara picking up an RBI with a single to score Pierre to make it 3-0.  The Red Sox added two more in the b...

Twins minor league third baseman Wander Valdez throws to first to record an out during a Florida Complex League game. The 21 year old Dominican, Valdez is in his fourth season of professional baseball after being signed by the Minnesota Twin as an international free agent in 2016. (Photo: August 13, 2021)

Red Sox coach Bianca Smith relays signals from the first base coaches box during a Florida Complex League game on Friday afternoon. Hired by the Red Sox as a minor league coach in January, Smith is breaking barriers by becoming the first professional African American female baseball coach. She is will be working with position players during the Florida Complex League, a rookie league that plays their home games at JetBlue Park. (Photo: August 13, 2021)

A deputy from the Lee County Sheriff's Office helps direct traffic in the sky as helicopters land on the field at JetBlue Park for the American Heroes Air Show. Taking place around the country, the American Heroes Air Show pays tributes to law enforcement, emergency services and military. It is unique in that it is one of the few airshow events to feature just helicopters. (Photo: January 19, 2013)

After serving the citizen of New York City, retired Rescue 5 now travels the country to help remember the 343 fallen firefighters on September 11.  Rescue 5 hails from Staten Island but on September 11, it answered the call to the World Trade Center.  At the end of that fateful event, eleven firefighters from Rescue 5 lost their lives among the 343 firefighters killed in the terrorist attack.  After the rig was decommissioned in 2011,  it became the centerpiece of the Remembrance Rescue Project, a non-profit charity that travels the country to continue the legacy of these brave firefighters. (Photo: January 19, 2013)

A helicopter from the Department of Homeland Security lands at the American Heroes Air Show.  The AS-350 photographed here is used primarily for city operations and is one of the many aviation resources available for the Customs and Border Protection.  (Photo: January 19, 2013)

A law enforcement officer guides a US Navy helicopter in for a landing at the American Heroes Air Show. The show is a one a kind event featuring helicopter from law enforcement, military and the private sector. Click on the photo to view my American Heroes Air Show photo gallery . (Photo: January 19, 2013)

Rescue 5 of the Remembrance Rescue Project sits on display at the American Heroes Air Show. Rescue 5 was an active rescue in the FDNY and responded to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Eleven of the twelve squad members lost their life in the attack. Today the rescue travels the country as part of the Remembrance Rescue Project to Educate, Honor and Remember those who lost their lives on that day. (Photo: January 19, 2013)