MANATEE — Veterans Day is Wednesday, and the parade is the centerpiece of the Manatee County Veterans Week Celebration.
Yet the community’s annual salute to veterans features several events, especially at local schools.
“It’s a celebration by the schools and other veterans organizations,” said Ken McCoy, a former Marine and chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council. “The community as a whole never forgets.”
The main event is the 9:30 a.m. Veterans Day Parade with Sandra Beckley, director of the Sarasota National Cemetery, as grand marshal.
The parade will step off from the Emergency Services Memorial in Rossi Park, proceed east on Third Avenue, north on Third Street, then east along Riverfront Boulevard under the De- Soto Bridge to Monument Park behind Manatee Memorial Hospital.
The parade will include high school marching bands from Manatee, Braden River and Lakewood Ranch along with 35 units of veterans organizations and dignitaries.
The ceremony at Monument Park is at 11 a.m. with massing of colors and the presentation of Veteran of the Year Michael Clinesmith, commander of VFW Post 10141, and Auxiliary Person of the Year Stanley Weyman, past commander of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 24 at American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan will be the guest speaker.
Among other Veterans Week events are:
n Daughtrey Elementary, 515 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton, will hold a flag-raising ceremony at 8:45 a.m. today for local veterans and the entire school. The ceremony will include the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner.
Following the flag-raising, students will take a Freedom Walk around the playground as they hold up flags of their own. Veterans also will visit various classrooms following the festivities.
Call 751-7023.
n The Kiwanis Hall of Bradenton, 1401 21st Ave. W., Bradenton, hosts a veterans luncheon at noon today. All veterans are invited. Call 750-8962.
n The Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment will have a Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony and barbecue, 5:30 p.m. today at the Bunker, 800 17th Ave. W., Bradenton.
Call 741-8762.
n Peace Lutheran School, 1611 30th Ave. W., Bradenton, will hold “United We Stand,” its eighth annual tribute to veterans, at 6:30 p.m. today.
American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24’s honor guard will lead the festivities, which will include students’ patriotic poems, songs and speeches, as well as a dance performance to “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the Junior Hand-Chimes playing “America the Beautiful,” and students singing the “Armed Forces Medley.”
Call 747-6753. Or visit: peacebradenton.org.
n Freedom Elementary School, 9515 State Road 64 E., hosts its third Annual Veterans Appreciation Ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, beginning with the 9 a.m. flag raising in the school’s “Let Freedom Ring” Courtyard, by Braden River Post 12055. Call 708-4990.
n Braden River Middle, 6215 River Club Blvd., will culminate its week of activities at 9:15 a.m. Friday, with a flag-raising ceremony to include a color guard, patriotic performances by the school band, chorus and orchestra as well as guest speakers and visiting veterans.
The entire student body and staff also will be present as the school unveils its newest commemorative veteran tile.
Following the ceremony, veterans and other guests are invited to a special breakfast in the media center.
Call 751-7080.
n Braden River Post 12055 will raise the flag Friday night before Braden River High School’s final regular season home game. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Vin Mannix, local columnist, can be reached at 745-7055, or write him at Bradenton Herald, P.O. Box 921, Bradenton, Fl. 34206 or e-mail him at vmannix@bradenton.com. Please include a phone number for verification.
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