Manatee County Veterans Day parade returns for first time since pandemic. What to know

James A. Jones Jr.
·3 min read

The annual Manatee County Veterans Day parade returns Saturday for the first time since 2019, following a pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parade in Palmetto will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., and move to Sutton Park, 1036 6th St. W., where Lee Washington will deliver the Veterans Day address at 11 a.m.

Washington, a Marine Corps veteran, served as interim administrator for Manatee County from February to August.

Washington’s county tenure began in 2013, when he became a veterans service counselor. He was then named veterans services officer, overseeing the advocacy and benefit support for Manatee County’s nearly 50,000 veterans and their families.

Washington was later promoted to director of Community and Veterans Services, before being named interim county administrator.

10/12/21—Lee Washington, a Florida native and Marine Corps. veteran, became Manatee County’s first Black administrator on Tuesday following Scott Hopes’ resignation. Washington accepts a promotion to department director in this Bradenton Herald file photo.
10/12/21—Lee Washington, a Florida native and Marine Corps. veteran, became Manatee County’s first Black administrator on Tuesday following Scott Hopes’ resignation. Washington accepts a promotion to department director in this Bradenton Herald file photo.

The grand marshal for Saturday’s parade will be John V. Skeen, a World War II veteran.

Also featured in the parade will be veteran of the year Rickard Jensen, auxiliary member of the year Kathy Doddridge and civilian of the year Rhonda Daily, all of whom were selected by vote of the veterans council.

Manatee County Veterans Council and the City of Palmetto are co-sponsors of this year’s Veterans Day observance.

Other events for Veterans Day

▪ The City of Anna Maria will have its Old Soldiers and Sailors Parade Friday. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, and moves to the city pier, 100 N. Bay Blvd.

Participants are asked to begin staging at 8 a.m.

This parade is in honor of all veterans, including actively serving military personnel. Vets will be recognized during a brief ceremony at City Pier Park after the parade.

Terry Longpre pulls over to shake a man’s hand during Anna Maria Island’s 2017 “Old Soldiers and Sailors” parade to honor Veterans Friday.
Terry Longpre pulls over to shake a man’s hand during Anna Maria Island’s 2017 “Old Soldiers and Sailors” parade to honor Veterans Friday.

▪ Freedom Village of Bradenton senior living community will host a Veteran’s Day recognition ceremony and reception 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Landings Auditorium, 6406 21st Ave. W., Bradenton, and will honor more than 75 veterans who call Freedom Village home. Other senior veterans in Manatee County are also welcome to attend.

▪ The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave., southern Manatee County, will be hosting an open house 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to highlight its work on traumatic brain injury, Gulf War illness and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The open house is open to the public with a special invitation to veterans and military personnel. Complimentary food and beverage will be available.

▪ The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is offering veterans and active-duty personnel free passport photos, notary services, and copies as a token of appreciation in November.

For the free services, veterans and active-duty personnel must provide a copy of their DD Form 214 or their military identification.

▪ Federal, state, Manatee County government, school and city offices will be closed Friday for Veterans Day.

The Lakewood Ranch High JROTC marches in the 2019 Veteran’s Day Parade in Palmetto.
The Lakewood Ranch High JROTC marches in the 2019 Veteran’s Day Parade in Palmetto.

Veterans Day and Memorial Day

There is often confusion about the two national holidays that honor those who served in uniform.

Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, is always observed Nov. 11, the date of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

“Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military— living and dead —whether in wartime or peace. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served — not only those who died—have sacrificed and done their duty,” according to the Veterans Administration.

Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, honors military personnel who died in the service of United States, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

Add to the list

Have a Veteran’s Day event in Manatee County that’s not listed here? Email us at jajones1@bradenton.com.