Here are some ways to mark Veterans Day in Manatee County
A variety of events honoring veterans are planned throughout the week in Manatee County for Veterans Day.
The Manatee County Veterans Council holds its annual Veterans Day program starting at 11 a.m. Saturday in Palmetto with a Veterans Day address by Brian Jacobs, this year’s Col. Frederick J. Graves Veteran of the Year recipient.
This year’s program will have presentations and speeches at Sutton Park in Palmetto followed by the parade.
The parade will commence from the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., and end at Sutton Park.
The Manatee County Veterans Council will also be recognizing civilian of the year Charles Clapsaddle, station manager for METV, and auxiliary member of the year Mary Silcox.
Other Veterans Day events
▪ The city of Anna Maria will be sponsoring its first “Old Soldiers & Sailors Parade” honoring veterans. The parade begins at Anna Maria City Hall. 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria at 1 p.m. Friday and ends at the City Pier Park. There will be an honor guard, flag ceremony, special veterans recognition ceremony along with floats and bagpipers. There will be two 100-plus piece marching bands — Lakewood Ranch and Manatee High Schools. All veterans are welcome to participate in the parade and should muster at Anna Maria City Hall by 12:30 p.m. to be included. Veterans may either walk or ride in the one-third parade. An old-fashioned ice cream social will be held at the historical museum following the parade.
▪ The Family of God United Methodist Church, 5601 16th Ave. E., Palmetto, will have a Veterans Day celebration and concert 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be obtained by calling 941-729-6055. A ceremony recognizing all branches of the service will feature the Palmetto High School Honor Guard. It will be followed by a “Coming to America” Neil Diamond sounds-like show with the help of a sounds-like Barbra Streisand.
James A. Jones Jr.: 941-745-7053, @jajones1
This story was originally published November 7, 2017 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Here are some ways to mark Veterans Day in Manatee County."