Lakewood Ranch and Parrish Community High’s JROTC laid wreaths for the different branches of the military during the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024.
Tiffany Tompkins
ttompkins@bradenton.com
Bradenton
Rows of stone memorial benches were filled with people honoring the country’s fallen at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park’s annual Memorial Day Service in Bradenton.
Flags circling the park barely moved in Monday morning’s heat as Jim Klocke, chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, welcomed the crowd.
Jack Cantwell sang the national anthem, and JROTC from Lakewood Ranch and Parrish Community High Schools presented the flags and laid ceremonial wreaths.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown presented the guest speaker, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover-Bryant, and retired Col. Gill Ruderman recited “Flanders Field,” a World War I poem that recalls the loss and remembrance of those who died in conflict.
The ceremony concluded with Brian Taylor, a member of VFW Post 10141, playing TAPS.
Memorial benches were filled with people attending the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Lakewood Ranch and Parrish Community High’s JROTC laid wreaths for the different branches of the military during the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover-Bryant was the guest speaker during the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
VFW Post 10141 participated in the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Veterans and family members stood for the National Anthem during the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Brian Taylor of VFW Post 10141 played TAPS during the Memorial Day Service presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park in Bradenton on Monday, May 27, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
This story was originally published May 27, 2024 at 11:47 AM.
Tiffany Tompkins is the Bradenton Herald’s Visual Lead; shooting, editing and producing photographs and videos for the newspaper and online since 1999. Tiffany is a graduate of State College of Florida.
