This Memorial Day, as Sarasota Memorial Hospital reflects on its past, it honors the Sarasota and U.S. military men and women whose service and sacrifice inspired its name. The original 32-bed facility, first named Sarasota Hospital, opened its doors in 1925. It was the area’s first modern hospital, built with $40,000 in community donations, thanks to the strong convictions and sheer grit of Sarasota’s early leaders. According to hospital archives, the name “Sarasota Memorial Hospital” first surfaced on June 8, 1945, when members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other community leaders gathered at the home of Lewis Van Wezel “to discuss a suitable living memorial to honor all veterans.” From that discussion, the Sarasota County War Memorial Advisory Committee formed, according to historical accounts in Sarasota Memorial’s 100-year history book, A Century of Caring. U.S. Navy veteran Wilfred “Willie” Robards was chosen to lead the committee and a city-wide campaign to raise $200,000 for a new hospital. The committee erected a sign with a huge thermometer on the corner of the Palmer Bank at Five Points to color in and track the funds raised.

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