This Week's Events Honoring Veterans

Veterans get prepared to be feted as Veteran's Day approaches.

THURSDAY EVENTS

will honor Veterans Day with a special program Thursday at 9 a.m. Kirby Stewart VFW Post 24 Post Commander Bill Fields will speak at the flag ceremony. Members of VFW Post 24 will join him at the school. Daughtrey’s String Ensemble will play Patriotic music, and the entire student body will walk the parade route waving flags.

has invited veterans, active military personnel and first responders to join students and staff at its annual “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony in the school's courtyard on Thursday at 9 a.m. The ceremony will include Patriotic songs. State Representative Greg Steube will be the keynote speaker. Students and staff have been collecting supplies this week to ship overseas to soldiers who have family connections to Freedom. 

will pay tribute to our nation’s veterans on Thursday with a Flag-Raising Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. in the school's courtyard.  The ceremony will include a color guard, patriotic performances by the school's orchestra, band and chorus. There will also be special guest speakers. The art department will also display recently completed additions to the school’s "Wall of Honor" for veterans.

FRIDAY EVENTS

Veteran's Day Parade and Ceremony to honor military veterans. The Parade starts near the Manatee County Fairgrounds on 13th Street and ends at Lamb and Sutton Park at 700 10th Avenue W. Palmetto. The parade begins at 10 a.m. A ceremony follows the parade. Guest speakers include CDR Brad Smith, USN, retired, Congressman Vern Buchanan and Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.

There will be acitivites for children, the Manatee Concert Band will provide entertainment, Slick's Garage will host a car and bike show and food will be available from the VFW Post 2488 nearby.

SATURDAY EVENTS

There will be a dedication of the new flagpole at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park behind Manatee Memorial Hospital.

The Great American Festival, a day long family festival designed to salute Veterans, will take place at immediately after the park's 9 a.m. grand opening ceremony at 400 Cypress Creek Blvd. Music, games, sports, entertainment and food will be available. Sports demonstrations include Quidditch, Ultimate Frisbee and soccer.