Rain fails to dampen return of Veterans Day events

Bradenton Beach resident and U.S. Navy veteran Bill Sanderson plays bagpipes Nov. 11 while leading the Fourth Assault Amphibian Battalion honor guard from Tampa down Pine Avenue during the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Military veterans lead the way on Pine Avenue Nov. 11 during Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. The parade was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but returned this year with hundreds in attendance — despite a drizzle. The parade went from city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, to City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., where Mayor Dan Murphy led a ceremony honoring veterans.

Hundreds of people gather under and around the shade sails Nov. 11 at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, for a ceremony to conclude the city’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day celebration, which began with a parade on Pine Avenue.

The Fourth Assault Amphibian Battalion honor guard from Tampa present the colors Nov. 11 at City Pier Park. The presentation was followed by speakers and recognition for all military veterans and families.

Anna Maria City Commissioner Doug Copeland hands out miniature American flags Nov. 11 to paradegoers. Copeland did not run for reelection in the Nov. 2 election so his term will expire this month.

Cheerleaders from Manatee High School lead the way Nov. 11 for their marching band during the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade, which featured three high school bands from the district — Manatee, Southeast and Braden River.

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Riordan, one of the marshals for the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade, waves to paradegoers Nov. 11 while being driven down Pine Avenue.

Anna Maria City Commissioner Doris “Deanie” Sebring rides her bike Nov. 11 down Pine Avenue as a part of the city’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade, with her diabetic alert dog, Humphrey, in the basket in front of her.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers drive their “ship,” the Skullywag, Nov. 11 down Pine Avenue as a float in the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. Privateers waved and threw beads to paradegoers from the deck.

Members of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society hand out bowls of free ice cream Nov. 11 to people leaving the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day celebration.