ANNA MARIA – The city’s eighth annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and veterans recognition ceremony paid tribute on Nov. 10 to those who served and still serve in the U.S. military.
At 9 a.m., the Manatee High School JROTC led the parade down Pine Avenue to City Pier Park. Parade Grand Marshal, Vietnam combat veteran, retired U.S. Army Major and former Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson followed in a city-owned Jeep, accompanied by his wife, Denise.
Next came the Lakewood Ranch High School marching band, followed by a group of local veterans, a Gem cart carrying U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan and his wife, Sandy, and a golf cart driven by Mayor Dan Murphy, accompanied by his wife, Barbara.
The parade featured the Braden River High School marching band, two West Manatee Fire Rescue vehicles, a group of children from The Center of Anna Maria Island, a blue Ford Mustang carrying three veterans, a group of Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleader alumni, the Manatee High School marching band and a pickup truck carrying 101-year-old World War II Army veteran John Skeen pulling a trailer sign that said, “Military Matters.”
The Southeast High School marching band arrived late and missed the parade but played near the foot of the City Pier after the veterans’ ceremony ended.
Before the ceremony began, Buchanan said, “It’s a great parade and we have a lot of veterans out here today.”
Regarding his role as grand marshal, Johnson said, “I served in the Army for 21 years, from 1964 to 1985. Participating in something like this triggers a lot of memories.”
Held under the City Pier Park shade sail structure, the recognition ceremony began with Murphy’s welcoming remarks, the invocation by Rev. Gordon Zanetti, the presentation of the colors by the Manatee High School JROTC and the national anthem performed by the Lakewood High School marching band.
Murphy recognized Johnson as the parade marshal and thanked Buchanan, an Air National Guard veteran, for the federal legislation and assistance he’s championed as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Standing at the podium, Buchanan said, “It’s truly an honor to be here today to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have proudly served in our Armed Forces. President Calvin Coolidge once said, ‘A nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.’ On this Veterans Day, let’s take a moment to offer our deepest gratitude to all who served.”
Murphy then called forward the city staff members and thanked them for their planning and hard work.
When calling forward the veterans’ wives, spouses and significant others, Murphy said, “I’d like to welcome and thank the most important people in every veteran’s life. I know how difficult your job was while we went off on our adventures. Thank you for everything you did to support us during that period of time,” Murphy said.
Each wife, spouse and significant other received a yellow rose.
Before calling the veterans forward according to the military branch in which they served, Murphy said, “These are individuals who offered up their time, their careers and even their lives, if necessary, to defend our country. These are our veterans.”
Each veteran received a ceremonial medal that commemorates the “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and the city of Anna Maria’s 100-year anniversary.
“These are the folks that put their lives on the line to defend our country. We owe them a big round of applause and big ‘thank you’ for what they’ve done,” Murphy said.
Murphy then invited everyone to attend the ice cream social at the nearby Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, featuring free ice cream donated by Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream.
After the ceremony, U.S. Army veteran and current Manatee County Veteran of the Year Rick Jensen said, “Anna Maria does a fantastic job every year for Veterans Day and Memorial Day. It means everything to see all the veterans who served this county and did their duty.”
When sharing his final thoughts, Murphy said, “I’m pleased with the turnout we had. It’s so important for the veterans in our community to be recognized and honored. As a veteran myself, this event is very moving for me; and the colors being presented and the national anthem being played evoke a deep sense of patriotism.”
