Ashley Collins

ashley.collins@naplesnews.com; 239-213-6029

President Donald Trump's supporters took to the streets in Southwest Florida and across the nation Saturday to back the new administration.

Almost 100 demonstrators held pro-Trump signs and U.S. flags along U.S. 41 just north of Pine Ridge Road in North Naples. Another Southwest Florida rally was held in Cape Coral.

Related story: Supporters gather for 'March 4 Trump' rallies around U.S.

Local supporters of Donald Trump said it's time to work together as a country and support the president.

"For me, I think it's a big deal that Trump's fighting to make America America again," said Dusty Holmes, of Naples. "He's very pro-American. He wants us to use American-made products.

"We just want America to be number one again," Holmes said.

"We're not here to cause a problem," added her husband, J.B. Holmes. "Supporters and opposers alike, we all have a right to freedom of speech."

Related story: Thousands hear President Trump's plan for transforming America

The two U.S. veterans contributed time and money to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

They said putting America first was a big priority for them, which is what drew them to Trump, as well as his attention to protecting active-duty soldiers and veterans, Dusty Holmes said.

She served as an Army nurse from 1979 to 1985, and her husband enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 during the Vietnam War and served until 1969.

Several days ago, Trump gave a speech on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to active-service members about strengthening the country's military.

"We will have the finest equipment in the world — planes, ships and everything else. We will give our military the tools you need to prevent war, and if required, to fight war, and do one thing. You know what that is?" Trump asked the crowd.

"Win."

Related story: Donald Trump rally draws crowd at Collier County Fairgrounds

The Naples couple agreed.

"We no longer fight wars to win wars," Dusty Holmes said. "(Soldiers) should be given everything they need to go out there and win."

The Naples gathering was one of dozens of Spirit of America rallies nationwide led by the grass-roots organization Main Street Patriots in response to backlash from some groups toward Trump's presidency.

Last weekend, demonstrators rallied in Naples and across the country, urging the new administration to keep the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare."

Trump has said he wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Related story: 8,000 Trump supporters pack Germain Arena

During a February rally in Melbourne, Trump said his plan would offer “much better health care at a much lower cost."

But more than 200 proponents of the Affordable Care Act in Naples said those plans endanger health care for many Americans.

Related story: Francis Rooney absent, protesters rally for Obamacare in Collier

Trump supporter JoAnn DeBartolo, the Collier County chairwoman for his 2016 campaign, helped organize the North Naples rally Saturday.

"We're just showing here today that Donald Trump has the support, whereas a lot of the people and media are saying he doesn't have the support, and he does," she said. "The support is growing greater and greater."

Trump's stances on Illegal immigration and securing the country's borders resonate with her the most.

"I was hurt by an illegal alien in a car accident in Chicago, where I almost lost my leg and my life. ... The topic (of Illegal immigration) hits my heart and is a passion for me," DeBartolo said.