Veterans Day 2021: Events and ceremonies happening in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties

Pensacola News Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK
·4 min read

Veterans Day events throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties offer residents a chance to honor military service members. Here’s a look at events in our area.

Veterans Day events in Escambia County

Veteran Day Parade in downtown Pensacola

The Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council will host the annual Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. Thursday in downtown Pensacola. The route starts at Spring Street and proceeds on Main Street to Bayfront Parkway before ending at Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola.

The grandstand and main viewing position will be at Bartram Park, 211 Bayfront Parkway. The grand marshal is Robbie Gregg, and Newton Knight will be honored and presented the prestigious E. Bud Day Award, which is presented to a veteran who serves other veterans in the community.

Veterans Day Ceremony to be hosted at Veterans Memorial Park

A Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the park.

Retired Maj. Gen. John P. Stokes, the former director of Air, Space and Information Operations at the Air Force Command at Robins Air Force Base, will be the keynote speaker.

Musical selections will be performed by the Pensacola Opera Chorus. The invocation and benediction will be led by Jason Givens from First Baptist Church.

The Military Tribute Banner project sponsored by Veterans Memorial Park will be unveiled at the ceremony. Family members and friends are encouraged to honor their military heroes with patriotic banners featuring their photographs in uniform and information about their military service. The project, made possible by a partnership with the city of Pensacola and Gulf Power, will continue from now until after Memorial Day 2022.

Visit veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org for details.

Pensacola Beach ELKS Lodge No. 497 hosts 32nd Veterans Day Parade

The parade will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, starting across from Avenida 10 and traveling west on Via de Luna Drive, finishing in front of the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach. A veterans’ recognition and POW/MIA ceremony will immediately follow the parade at the pavilion with remarks from this year’s grand marshal, retired Air Force Col. Joe Kinego.

During his 27-year Air Force career, Kinego completed more than 4,500 flying hours, including 148 combat missions in the RF-4C in southeast Asia, 110 Cold War operational reconnaissance missions and over 900 total hours in the SR-71 Blackbird. He will be formally inducted into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame in April 2022.

Email vetparade497@gmail.com for details.

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Musical Salute to Service

Set against the backdrop of Pensacola Bay on the Hunter Amphitheater stage at 301 W. Main St., Pensacola Opera presents a special Veterans Day concert to celebrate and honor the community’s veterans at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Joining forces with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and the Choral Society of Pensacola, this performance will feature beloved patriotic tunes paying tribute to those who have served, past and present. This is a free event.

Visit pensacolaopera.com/event/from-sea-to-shining-sea for details.

Veterans Day events in Santa Rosa County

Milton Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony

The parade begins at 9 a.m. Thursday at Milton High School and ends at the Veterans Memorial Plaza, 5191 Willing St. A ceremony at the plaza will take place at 11 a.m. The schedule includes:

  • Welcome from Santa Rosa County Commission Vice Chairman Bob Cole, District 2

  • Presentation of colors by Milton High School NJROTC

  • Invocation by NAS Whiting Field chaplain

  • National anthem by Milton High School choir

  • Post of colors by Milton High School NJROTC

  • America the Beautiful by Milton High School choir

  • Proclamations by Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay or City Manager Randy Jorgenson and Cole

  • Keynote speakers are NAS Whiting Field commanding officer Capt. Paul Flores and retired Army Staff Sgt. Dustin Tuller

  • Laying of the wreaths by veterans organizations

  • Taps by Milton High School band

  • Benediction by Pastor Jim Liberacki with East Side Baptist Church

There will be a 4-H cookout (donations accepted) immediately following the ceremony. In the event of inclement weather, the parade and ceremony will be canceled.

Navarre Veterans Day Ceremony

A ceremony presented by local veterans organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11367 and American Legion Post 382, will take place at 11 a.m. at Navarre Park. Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner Dave Piech will present the Veterans Day proclamation.

Gulf Breeze/Midway Veterans Day Ceremony

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4407, 1783 Abercrombie Road, Gulf Breeze. It is presented by local veterans organization VFW Post 4407. Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright will present the Veterans Day proclamation.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Veterans Day 2021 events, ceremonies in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties