Surrounded by local veterans, first responders and numerous community members, Dr. Carol Rae Culltion cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum in Cape Coral Tuesday morning.

Just one day before the country’s annual celebration dedicated to men and women who have worn a uniform of the U.S. Military, Culliton officially opened the doors to the city’s newest arena for history and veteran resources. Culliton hopes the venue located on Del Prado Boulevard can be a place where people can learn and feel comfortable while also providing area residents with any assistance they may need.

“I almost can’t believe that this day has come, but I’m so proud,” Culliton said. “When I see everybody out here — all of these veterans, public officials, neighbors — it just touches my heart so much.

There to signify the resource center and museum’s opening alongside Culliton were Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Cape Coral Police Department Chief David Newland, Cape Coral Fire Department Chief Ryan Lamb and Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello. Brotherhood of Heroes also plays host to a LCSO resource office where residents can have first-hand interactions with deputies and where LCSO officials can expand upon programs in the county’s largest city.

“When you look at the entire county, it’s filled with great residents, and I want to make certain that we engage those residents at the highest level,” Marceno said. “And we want to do that as a cohesive team — that’s fire, EMS, law enforcement in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel — we’re all one team and it’s our job to work as one team together and continue to make (Southwest Florida) the greatest place ever, and that’s what we do.

“When people come in (to the museum) they get to see who serves them, they get to see our veterans, they get to see the services that we offer. It’s outreach continuously. Being a part of this is more of an honor for me, it really is. The place is amazing.”

In recent months, the Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library has closed in the Cape and relocated to Fort Myers, leaving in, Culliton’s mind, a vacancy in the city.

“I had to keep something in the Cape,” Culliton said. “We have so many veterans here and they deserve to have a place to come and find the help they need and meet with their fellow man. A military museum should be a gem in this city that residents can be proud of.

“”I knew this was the right thing to do, and I know I’m not alone in this. To see the support from the community, my heart is just so touched.”

Coviello called the resource center and museum a “welcomed addition” to a city with a veteran-rich history in a state with the third largest veteran population. Coviello is encouraged to see an LCSO resource outlet in the Cape and an overall mission geared towards local first responders.

“I’m really happy this is here,” Coviello said. “To have a resource center that can help people, along with a military museum is great. I’m glad that, with the closing of the other museum, that we now have replaced that in a much stronger fashion with much more resources than we had before so it’s exciting from that aspect.”

Inside, you can find special exhibits, tributes and artifacts configured chronologically from before the Civil War to more recent conflicts in the Gulf.

As you walk through the building with high ceilings filled with military paraphernalia, you can learn about Florida Purple Heart recipients, what war times were like for those in Southwest Florida and veterans who put it all on the line to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

Museumgoers can read about Cape Coral’s Capt. Daniel Eggers, a U.S. Army Capt. and Green Beret killed in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom who lost his life in 2004. Culliton said his family personally came to the museum to help create the area dedicated to the fallen veteran.

Walk through curtains and enter a small area dedicated to the battle of Iwo Jima. See what equipment soldiers would have to carry while on their assignments. Learn about this history of women in the military. Learn about ships stationed in the Gulf of Mexico during war times and local heroes who called Southwest Florida home.

The Disabled American Veterans and the United Way 211 of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties also occupy offices at the resource center.

Veteran organizations looking to use the space will have it available to them (when scheduled) free of charge. There are also smaller offices for those who may need to speak with a counselor one-on-one or in small groups.

Culliton also has an area dedicated to local first responders — both police and fire.

Culliton’s goal is to see the museum become accredited and other than providing resources to the community, become a harbor or education for the area’s youth.

She hopes to host local schools for field trips and has already received some positive feedback from youngsters in the community.

A Veterans Day cookout where residents can enjoy free food and beverages takes place at the museum and resource center from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $4 per person and free for military and first responders.

Brotherhood of Heroes Museum and Resource Center is at 4522 Del Prado Blvd. For more information, call 239-360-8913.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj