Local veterans are encouraged to attend The Islander’s sixth annual Veterans Day Salute Friday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Holmes Beach City Hall parking lot, 5801 Marina Drive, with breakfast pastries provided by The Islander and coffee service by the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe.
At 9 a.m., the program begins, with speakers and ceremonies honoring veterans of the United States and its allies in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Middle East wars, and, in particular, those veterans whose stories appeared in The Islander’s “Greatest Generation” and “Forgotten Generation” columns.
Speakers will include Islander reporter Rick Catlin; Major Leckie of the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island; Kathy Gipson, grand-daughter of the late Ralph Bassett with a tribute to his service as a U.S. Marine and his community service, including several years as speaker at the annual veterans tribute, and Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger.
The ceremony also will honor the 236th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, founded Nov. 10, 1775.
Following the presentation of the colors by Kirby Stewart American Legion Post No. 24 in Palma Sola, attendees will say the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem will be played. The event concludes with a rifle salute and playing of taps around 9:30 a.m.
Tables and chairs will be provided.