Where are the Veterans Day 2021 parades and events in Bradenton? Here’s a list

For the second year, the Manatee County Veterans Council’s Veterans Day parade has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, but that doesn’t mean that the county’s 40,000 vets won’t be remembered on their day.

When decision time came several months ago on whether to have the Veterans Day parade this year, the delta variant was filling hospital beds and driving up the number of COVID-related deaths.

Out of an abundance of caution, and an unknown future for the course of the virus, the Manatee County Veterans Council canceled the parade.

In its place will be a service at Veterans Park, located behind Manatee Memorial Hospital and across the street from the Bradenton Riverwalk, at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11.

Kevin Wright, host of the Military Matters radio show on 1490 AM Radio WWPR, is the scheduled speaker.

In normal times, the Veterans Day parade through Palmetto is a major production with marching bands, floats and lots of motorcycles. Last year’s parade was replaced with a virtual service that could be viewed on METV or on YouTube.

Anna Maria salute to veterans

The City of Anna Maria is seeking participants for its Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, from City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, to City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.

Other scheduled participants include a Marine Corps honor guard, military vehicles, high school marching bands, a World War II airplane flyover, floats, flags, drums and more.

For more information, call 941-528-6130, ext. 122, visit CityofAnnaMaria.com or email VetsParade@CityofAnnaMaria.com.

Events at State College of Florida

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Veteran Services will host a community event to recognize all branches of the military at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W., Library & Learning Center, Library Forum, and SCF Venice, 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, Performance Pavilion. Both events are free and open to the public.

Jimmie T. Smith, U.S. Army veteran and former Florida House of Representatives member for the 34th and 43rd districts, will speak about his time in office and current role as coalitions director for Concerned Veterans for America, Florida Chapter.

SCF Venice’s guest speaker, veteran Kerry H. Costello, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, will discuss his role as quartermaster for North Port Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8203.

This year’s event will also honor SCF’s top academic veterans who will be inducted into SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society.

For more information, contact Lisa Goss at 941-752-5426 or William Graydon at 941-408-1446.

Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will co-host the annual Sarasota Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 11, in downtown Sarasota.

There will be several road closures and vehicle tow-away zones for the parade beginning at 8 a.m.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. from Osprey and Main, Sarasota. A ceremony will follow at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park at 11 a.m.

Free football tickets for vets

More than 2,000 free tickets have been donated for military veterans for the University of South Florida vs. Cincinnati football game at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12.

The tickets are posted for military veterans on at www.vettix.org with each veteran eligible for up to four tickets.

Free services at clerk’s office

In recognition of Veteran’s Day, the Manatee County clerk of the Circuit Court and comptroller is honoring military veterans and active-duty personnel by providing complimentary passport photos, notary services and copies throughout November.

Complimentary copies include, but are not limited to, marriage licenses, deeds and court records. Also, this includes certified copies.

“Our team wants to express our gratitude to those who served our country to protect our freedoms. Thank you, Veterans, for your service,” said Angel Colonneso, Circuit Court clerk and comptroller.

Applicants will need to provide a valid form of identification, including a DD 214 or military ID, for the waived fees.

For more information on accessing the complimentary services, call 941-749-1800.

The Roskamp Institute open house

The Roskamp Institute is hosting a virtual open house event with a special invitation to veterans and members of the military. All are welcome to attend this event at no cost.

Highlighting the work at The Roskamp Institute & Clinic and highlighting research programs on traumatic brain injury, Gulf War Illness and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The webinar also features a live Q&A with top researchers and virtual lab tour. To join the webinar, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86924636063.

Goodwill plans health and wellness fair

Veterans and their families as well as members of the public are invited to attend Goodwill Manasota’s free Veterans Health & Wellness Fair 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services office, 8490 N. Lockwood Ridge Road.

Health services offered on-site will include dental screenings, blood pressure checks and blood sugar screenings. Veterans can receive guidance on disability claims and healthcare enrollment, learn about counseling services and stress relief programs, smoking cessation, opioid treatment, CBD products, and beneficial services and activities such as acupuncture, equine-assisted therapy, hunting and fishing trips, fly fishing/fly making, and more.

This event, being presented in recognition of Veterans Day, is free and open to the general public, veterans and their families. For more information, call 941-355-2721, ext. 163.

Donate blood, support wounded military members

The SunCoast Blood Centers are honoring veterans by donating $10 for every eligible blood donation to the U.S. Southern Command’s Warrior Care Program at MacDill Air Force Base for soldiers, airmen and SEALS who have been injured in action.

The three-day event begins on Thursday. Bradenton area blood centers are located at Lakewood Ranch, behind Crowder’s ACE Hardware, 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., and in the Bayshore Shopping Center next to Publix at 6030 14th S.t W.

To schedule a donation, call 1-866-97-BLOOD or visit suncoastblood.or.

If you have a Veterans Day event that is not listed here, email jajones1@bradenton.com with your information.

This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 6:00 AM.