53rd Annual Veterans Day Tribute

Bring the whole family to the county's 53rd annual Veterans Day Tribute, a salute to military men and women from all branches of service.

This year's observance comes with a special honor: the Veterans Day National Committee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named Veterans Memorial Park & LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum to its official list of Regional Veterans Day Sites. The designation recognizes select observances throughout the country that represent fitting tributes to America's heroes, and that can serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own events.

With a theme of "Honoring America's Veterans," the Veterans Day Tribute will feature a variety of speakers and presentations, including:

• Col. S. Troy Pananon, Vice Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base
• Col. Jim Waurishuk, USAF, Retired
• JROTC color guard, drill performances, and patriotic recitations from local high schools
• POW/MIA Missing Man Ceremony, rifle salute, and taps
• Veterans Council Awards

Admission and parking for the event, museum, and memorials are all free. Visitors may bring lawn chairs, enjoy patriotic music, and stay for refreshments following the ceremony.