(WFLA) — Veterans will be honored across Tampa Bay at Veterans Day parades, ceremonies and other events on Friday, Nov. 11 and during the weekend.
Veterans Day began as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, which was the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress later passed a resolution for an annual observance and national holiday on Nov. 11. It was later named Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars.
Here’s a look at events scheduled in the Tampa Bay area-
SUMTER COUNTY
The Florida National Cemetery Joint Veterans Committee (JVC) will sponsor the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Florida National Cemetery on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Captain Brian J. Wagner, USAF, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, will be the keynote speaker. MSGT, Joseph Capporelli, USAF, (Ret.), American Legion Post 101, Commander Bushnell, FL will be the guest speaker. Steve Jerve of WFLA News Channel 8 will be the Master of Ceremonies. Peter Perrone will lead the South Sumter High School Band as they play patriotic music prior to and during the ceremony. Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics is honoring Veterans Friday, November 11, 2016 at 10 a.m. with a ceremony, parade and cookout at: James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33612. Free and open to the public, the event begins with a brief ceremony with the parade following directly after.
Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County will host the county’s 52nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N. in Tampa. For more information about the 52nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute, or Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, call Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services at (813) 246-3170 or (813) 744-5349, or go to HCFLGov.net/Veterans.
St. Joseph’s Hospital will give visitors, patients and team members the opportunity to thank military personnel who will be far from home during the holidays. On Veterans Day, November 11, there will be blank holiday greeting cards on hand to be personalized with best wishes for this special time of year. The hospital also will be collecting completed and handmade cards from the community. All of the cards will then be picked up by Support Our Troops to be included in their annual holiday packets distributed around the world. Last year, nearly 1,000 holiday greeting cards were collected by St. Joseph’s Hospital. Friday, November 11, 2016 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Joseph’s Hospital (outside of the chapel) 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
PINELLAS COUNTY
Pinellas County Veterans Services is partnering with the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance to pay tribute to veterans and active duty personnel on Nov. 12 at the newly-dedicated Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza at Crest Lake Park in Clearwater. The pageantry and full ceremony begin at 10 a.m., followed by lively musical entertainment at 11 a.m. The ceremonial program includes drill team demonstrations, presentation of colors, special guest speakers and special acknowledgment of the United States Military and veterans. Residents will have an opportunity to view various exhibits and military vehicles. The event is expected to end at 1 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
On Veterans’ Day weekend Clearwater Beach will play host to a unique, adrenaline driven, non-stop action competition that’s never been seen before in the Tampa Bay area. The 2016 11th Warrior competition will take place Nov.12, with activities starting at 7:30 a.m. and lasting throughout the day and evening. Wounded veterans, professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts will work out together and compete while raising money for Companions for Heroes, a non-profit organization that works to save shelter dogs and cats by pairing them with American heroes who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related stresses.
PASCO COUNTY
Veterans Day Resolution & Recognition Ceremony: Wed 11:30 to 12 noon. Recognizing all Veteran employees of Pasco County. Pasco County is proud to recognize those who have served our great nation, both in their military service and now in their civilian service. The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and Pasco County Administration will have a wonderful opportunity to impart their deepest sense of gratitude to those Veterans employed by Pasco County during a special ceremony on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 11:30 a.m. in front of the West Pasco Government Center, located at 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey.
This Veterans Day, Pasco County Schools is hosting its 3rd annual district wide Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge. The Center for the Arts at River Ridge is located at 11646 Town Center Road, in New Port Richey.
The Watermark at Trinity, an assisted living and memory care community in Pasco County, will honor residents this Veterans Day with the unveiling of a Veterans Wall on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 1960 Blue Fox Way in Trinity. The wall will feature photos of veteran residents, their branch of military service and years served, as well as a commemorative plaque dedicating the wall to the community’s founding residents. The Veterans Day event will begin with a presentation of the colors by J.W. Mitchell High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Residents will then be recognized for their service, followed by a special POW/MIA ceremony.
Hacienda Village, New Port Richey It is with great pleasure the residents of Hacienda Village Manufactured Home Community announce the dedication of a Veterans Park. The dedication will take place on November 11, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. A Color Guard, Rifle Unit, and speaker will be present. The Master of Ceremonies will be Jim Holland, WWII veteran, a resident of the community and member of the committee spearheading the Veteran’s Park. The accomplishment of the area which is now known as Hacienda Village Veteran’s Park is due to a lot of determination and hard work by all committee members with donations from residents , fellow veterans, and businesses. The Hacienda Community, veterans, and family members are welcome to attend the dedication which will be at 7500 Gibraltar Avenue, New Port Richey. The site is next to the community clubhouse.
MANATEE COUNTY
Bradenton Christian School will hold a school-wide assembly on their football field in honor of Veteran’s Day on Friday, November 11th at 8:20am. Several veterans will be honored and the school band will also play. The entire student body, faculty and staff will be present as well as school families. We invite the public and other veterans to attend and be honored. Get more details here http://www.BCSpanthers.org
Salute to Veterans at Brookdale Palma Sola. In recognition of Veterans Day, The Dignity Memorial® network of two funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers in Manatee County, Florida, and Brookdale Senior Living Inc. will host a Veterans Day program at the Brookdale Palma Sola Community. Veterans residing at Brookdale Palma Sola will be recognized for their service. Brookdale Palma Sola Community, 450 67th St. W., Bradenton, Florida 34209, Friday, November 11, 2016 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY
The public is invited to attend the annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Sarasota on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11 starting at 10 a.m. Hosted by the City of Sarasota in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, the parade will begin at Main Street and Osprey Avenue. At the conclusion of the parade, a ceremony will be held at Selby Five Points Park in downtown at approximately 11 a.m.
Students at St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota will participate in a special Veterans’ Day Remembrance Program, on Friday, November 11, 2016. The Veterans’ Day Program will take place at 9:00 AM, in St. Anne’s Hall, located within the St. Martha Catholic School campus, at Bishop Nevins Academy, 4380 Fruitville Road.
Bay Indies’ Veteran’s Park, 950 Ridgewood Ave. Venice, FL 34285., 10 a.m. on Friday. Once again this November 11, Vince Sinnott, longtime Bay Indies resident and Air Force veteran, will lead the Venice community in a Veterans Day ceremony to honor American and Canadian veterans at Bay Indies’ Veteran’s Park.
In honor of all Veterans, Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida celebrates the 7th Annual Catholic Mass honoring all veterans. Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Ceremonies begin at 2:45 p.m. The 7th Annual Catholic Mass in honor of all veterans, coordinated by the Diocese of Venice and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, is held with the intention of thanking and honoring all men and women who served our country, with more than 12,000 laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery. It is also an opportunity to honor those who continue to serve today in the Armed Forces of the United States.
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