The Carlisle Naples residents take Honor Flight, Featured in Florida Weekly
From Howard Simon and Pete Bethge’s shady seats on the veranda of Naples’ Carlisle assisted living facility, the outlook for the day was calm – even typical. These two members of the Greatest Generation – those who grew up during the Great Depression – recently discovered they are neighbors. Their shared neighborhood, however, isn’t all the pair have in common. Simon, 92, and Bethge, 94, are American veterans. On Saturday, April 25, they boarded an Honor Flight headed for Washington DC; an experience meant to show appreciation for veterans’ service and sacrifice.
There were among more than 80 veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam wars traveling with their guardians.
Although chatting with fellow Carlisle residents occupies most of Bethge’s and Simon’s days, adventure was on their agenda come Saturday.
Saturday. The pair – who’s beloved first wives both were named Joyce – flew from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers to Washington, D.C. for a day of gratitude and remembrance. In their combined experience of 186 years, the two have seen a great deal of change in America. Saturday, they witnessed, in person, the nation’s most sacred and timeless monuments.92 year-old veteran Howard Simon, a few days before boarding the Collier-Lee Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington D.C. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT / FLORIDA WEEKLY94-year-old veteran Pete Bethge, a few days before boarding the Collier-Lee Honor Flight. -CASEY BRADLEY GENT / FLORIDA WEEKLY
The Collier-Lee Honor Flights were founded in 2013. Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit that seeks to spotlight the service of veterans, by flying honorees to Washington, D.C. to visit the very monuments their military duty served to protect. For Simon and Bethge, the two nonagenarians (people in their 90s), the Collier-Lee Honor Flight and tour of Washington monuments was a whirlwind. The itinerary had the pair arriving at Reagan International Airport at 8 a.m. They flew back in less than 24 hours.
Melissa Christiansen-Kloss, director of assisted living at the Carlisle, also participated in the flight. Christianson-Kloss previously accompanied residents on three former Honor Flights. Upon arrival, the packed itinerary included stops at the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. Air Force Memorial.
After returning, Bethge said, “It was the thrill of a lifetime. Honestly. There were so many people who supported us and so many people were proud of us.”
The eldest among the Collier-Lee Honor Flight veterans, Air Force Veteran Arron Schlipmann, 97, of Naples, and Army Veteran Robert Lee Hatfield, 96, of Estero, seated, had the honor to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Their Honor Flight Guardians were two of the longest-serving vets. -COURTESY PHOTO
Before the flight, Simon and Bethge had agreed, the monument they were most anxious to visit was Arlington National Cemetery. Simon said his oldest dearest friend, Bruce Bachmann, who is deceased, was a former guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“It will certainly be meaningful to see the changing of the guard,” Bethge said.
Following the trip, Bethge said visiting Arlington turned out to be even more inspiring than he anticipated.
“We watched the wreath being laid (at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). Being there with other veterans living in Naples was very special.”
Simon added, “We were seated up front and got to see the changing of the guards. It was very impressive.”
Naples journalist Robin DeMattia was with her father, Mike DeMattia, who served during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 in the Army Signal Corps. He will be 94 on May 16. She also recounted the special moment at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Two of the eldest veterans had the honor of laying the wreath while escorted by guardians who were among the longest serving veterans, said Steve Romain of Collier-Lee Honor Flight.
When it was time to return home, Simon’s and Bethge’s delight remained. The pair was eager to share their experience, and – significantly – the memory of not just the trip—but the arriving home. The Honor Flight had circled back to Southwest Florida – in the dark – on the very same day it took off, and both men were deeply impacted by the large crowd of well-wishers gathered at RSW.
Music, greeters, signs and flags welcomed the veterans home. They were greeted by a crowd of fellow veterans, young soldiers in military uniform, and Southwest Florida locals carrying American flags as they cheered. The airport was a sea of red, white and blue – from the terminal to the exit – with several hundred people in attendance for the homecoming. Two teenage boys held signs that read, “Thank you for your bravery. And service.”
“It was so exciting to have a (police) motorcade and so many people welcoming us,” Bethge said. Simon, too, said the greeting was incredibly special.
Simon served in the Army from 1956 to 1958. “I was very lucky in my service,” he said, modestly. “My time was after the Korean War and before Vietnam.”
Simon attended North Carolina State University, where he was a member of ROTC, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Following graduation, he attended military training at Fort Bening, where, he said, “I received training to be a commando.”
However, becoming a commando was not in Simon’s future. He grinned, the grin of a man who looks 65 rather than 92, revealing, “I spent my two years of service buying military headwear for the troops. I was a purchaser.”
While Simon claims his military service was uneventful, he guarantees his life has been lucky. “People ask me, ‘What foods do you eat,’ and ‘What is your secret to aging,’” he shared. “I tell everyone, ‘There is no secret. You have to be lucky.’ And, I have been.” Simon feels being asked to participate in the Collier-Lee Honor Flight is also good luck. He was scheduled for a flight in October as multiple Honor Flight missions, including the Collier-Lee Flight, in late 2025 were cancelled or postponed primarily due to the federal government shutdown. The shutdown affected critical infrastructure, such as National Park Service access to memorials, and raised concerns regarding air traffic control operations.
The Collier-Lee Honor Flight’s Mission 29, set for mid-October 2025, was postponed, with organizers aiming for the spring 2026 rescheduled date.
“April it is,” Simon smiled.
Bethge does not smile as freely as Simon. He is observant. Bethge attended the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, “and enlisted in the Navy, rather than being drafted,” he shared. Ask the former Naval architect about attending a school labeled, “America’s toughest college” by the Saturday Evening Post in 1947, and Bethge recalls the experience was, “wonderful.” How did he feel about training in the shipyard? Bethge remembers it was also, “Wonderful. I observed many of the trades. Welding, metal working, and electricians. I saw everything that went into building a ship.”
While Simon credits his longevity to luck, Bethge enjoys an affinity for gratitude.
In this historical photo from 1956, veteran Howard Simon and his first wife, Joyce, are pictured on their wedding day.
Both Simon and Bethge are widowed. Simon shared a black and white wedding photo of him with his first wife. The pair look like emblems of joy, beaming at one another through an old lens. The Simons were married for more than 50 years.
“I have been lucky twice,” Simon stated.
It was 13 years ago when Simon partnered with his current love, a woman with whom he shares his home at the Carlisle. The pair are petite bundles of energy and vigor.
Bethge also has a current life partner. Following the death of his beloved first wife, the Naval architect decided to attend his 60th high school reunion. “Most schools don’t even have a 60th reunion,” he observed, “but I went to mine, and I found Sally Davis. Sally and I have known each other since grade school.” Today, Sally Davis is Bethge’s second wife. “It is just wonderful having someone to share my days with.” Bethge blinked long and smiled.
Following the Collier-Lee Honor Flight, the full day of visits to American monuments, and an overload of love upon their return, Simon and Bethge slept hard. Simon said, “I slept for a full six hours. I haven’t done that in years.”
Bethge said he slept for 14 hours.
Had the veterans been nervous about Saturday’s Honor Flight and tour?
“No, not nervous,” Simon shared. Bethge nodded, and said he had not felt nervous, either. The pair were expectant, excited – even eager, they said.
Simon summed up his long life of change, luck and experiences this way, “This is a different country than we grew up in,” he began, “but it doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat of Republican, if you’re black, white or brown. It does not matter. There are only two types of people in America: inconsiderate or considerate.”
One thing is clear, the Collier-Lee Honor Flight carried one very specific type of American: patriot.
Posted May 06, 2026 by Casey Bradley Gent, Florida Weekly
