Tag: Veterans Day

Anna Maria honors veterans with parade, recognition ceremony

Anna Maria honors veterans on Veterans Day

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 18, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Colder than usual weather didn’t chill the appreciation, attendance and enthusiasm for the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and the post-parade veterans’ recognition ceremony that followed at City Pier Park.

On Nov. 11, spectators of all ages gathered along Pine Avenue to watch the parade. Near City Pier Park, visiting western Michigan residents Ann Hayward, Brenda Manchester and Jill McIntyre shared a blanket while waiting for the parade to begin.

In front of Roser Church, young siblings Maggie, Charli and Millie were bundled up in blankets waiting to see friends and family members march by with the Manatee High School Junior ROTC.

The skies were clear and sunny, the temperature was 48 degrees and a 12 mph northeast wind blew as the procession from city hall to City Pier Park began, with a quartet of Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies on motorcycles leading the way and performing some riding maneuvers as they went.

The deputies were followed by the Lakewood Ranch High School marching band that would also perform at the ceremony in the park. The Bayshore High School marching band, the Braden River High School band and the Southeast High School Marching ‘Noles also marched in the parade.

Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short and city commissioners Chris Arendt and Kathy Morgan-Johnson rode together in a city-owned low-speed vehicle Jeep driven by Code Enforcement Manager Dave DeZutter.

Because last year’s parade was canceled due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, this year’s parade featured three grand marshals: Army veteran John Fara, Army veteran and former Anna Maria mayor Dan Murphy and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan.

Fara was supposed to serve as last year’s grand marshal and he traveled the parade route in a city-owned Jeep driven by Code Enforcement Officer Tom Collins. Murphy and Duncan are the city’s reigning co-citizens of the year. Accompanied by Murphy’s wife, Barbara, they traveled the parade route in the code enforcement department truck driven by City Clerk Amber LaRowe.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie rode in a police vehicle driven by a Bradenton Beach Police officer and Holmes Beach Police Chief and Army veteran Bill Tokajer drove a police department ATV down the parade route. A privately-owned green Jeep transported another group of veterans down Pine Avenue.

Army veteran and Holmes Beach Walgreens employee Lance Roy walked the parade route, as did a group of youngsters and employees from The Center of Anna Maria Island, a group representing the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida and four members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Alumni.

The parade vehicles included the sheriff’s office airboat, a West Manatee Fire Rescue fire engine and a Waste Management truck. Holmes Beach-based SeaBreeze Vacation entered two vehicles in the parade and three mounted sheriff’s deputies on horses brought up the rear of the parade.

After the parade, the Lakewood Ranch High School band members took their seats in a large tent that stood where the recently removed Anna Maria Post Office trailer stood for several months after the hurricanes. Many parade attendees and veterans took their seats under the City Pier Park shade sail structure.

Before presiding over his first Veterans Day ceremony, Mayor Short said of the parade: “It was a little chilly, but the turnout was great for this very special occasion.”

The city-hosted Veterans Day parade and recognition ceremony began several years ago, during Murphy’s 10-year tenure as mayor.

“Putting on an event like this is a big responsibility and a lot of hard work,” Murphy said before the ceremony began. “Mark and his staff have done a truly remarkable job. I’m so pleased that they’re carrying on this tradition that has become part of the fiber of the city of Anna Maria.”

Accompanied by his wife, Geraldine, Col. Fernand Verrier said he first served in the Vietnam War from 1962-65 stationed in San Diego as a member of the Navy. He then went to college, earned a degree, enlisted in the Army as a commissioned officer and later retired as a colonel. During his time in the military, he served in Panama, the first Gulf War, Bosnia and at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen.

After Short’s opening remarks, Roser Memorial Community Church Senior Pastor Dirk Rodgers offered the invocation.

“May we treasure this freedom. May we learn to love, respect and support one another in honor of their service,” Rodgers said in appreciation of those who serve and served their country.

The Manatee High School Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors, accompanied by Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra drummer Scott Blum.

Directed by Dr. John Wilkerson, the seated marching band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner;” followed by the children from The Center leading the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

The mayor introduced the three grand marshals and recognized the elected officials in attendance. He then called forward the spouses and significant others of those who served in the military and city staff members presented each of them with a yellow rose.

The mayor then called forward the veterans according to the military branch in which they served: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard – and Anna Maria Executive Assistant Barbara Jeffries’ 8-year-old son, Jackson, presented each veteran with a commemorative medal.

After being recognized as the only Coast Guard veteran in attendance, Paul Schloesser said, “This is my ninth year. I love it.”

Short also recognized the U.S. Space Force and the Allied/NATO Forces that had no veteran representatives on hand.

“Thank you again to all our veterans. We appreciate your service and everything you did for us and this country,” the mayor said.

The band then played a medley of military theme songs and the seated veterans were asked to stand to be recognized one more time while their branch’s song played. Wilkerson then called the drumline forward to lead the band through a few more musical numbers that included an instrumental version of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.”

Short then called forward and recognized the many city staff members who helped organize and host the Veterans Day events.

“This event could not have been done without everybody you see standing beside me. Thank you to our city staff for yet another successful Veterans Day event,” Short said.

The mayor also thanked the sheriff’s office and everyone else who assisted with the parade and the recognition ceremony.

After the ceremony, Short said, “It was a great ceremony. It was nice to recognize our veterans that are so important to all of us.”

Spectators of all ages lined the Pine Avenue parade route. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Code Enforcement Officer Steve Cooke and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit leader Sgt. Brett Getman assisted with street closures and traffic control. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Lakewood Ranch High School marching band marched down Pine Avenue in route to City Pier Park. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The ROTC color guard led the Manatee High School Jr. ROTC members down the parade route. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Mayor John Chappie represented the city of Bradenton Beach. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Police Chief Bill Tokajer, an Army veteran, represented the city of Holmes Beach. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These young women led the Bayshore High School band down the parade route. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Bayshore High School band marched in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

This Vietnam War veteran rode with Anna Maria General Manager and Marine Corps veteran Dean Jones. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

This walking group represented The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Braden River High School band marched in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Braden River High School band marched to the beat of its drummers. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Army veteran Lance Roy walked in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida participated in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders’ alumni marched in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Southeast High School band marched in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Sheriff’s Office brought an airboat to the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Waste Pro and West Manatee Fire and Rescue participated in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies rode horses in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

SeaBreeze Vacation participated in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

This Jeep transported veterans down Pine Avenue. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Army veteran and former mayor Dan Murphy attended the ceremony with his wife, Barbara. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Pastor Dirk Rodgers gave the invocation during the Veterans Day ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The spouses and significant others of veterans received yellow roses. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Manatee High School Jr. ROTC color guard presented the colors during the ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These two men served in the Air Force. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Several Navy veterans attended the Veterans Day ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Marine Corps veterans received commemorative medals from young Jackson Jeffries. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Army and Navy veteran Col. Fernand Verrier shook hands with Mayor Mark Short. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Paul Schloesser served in the Coast Guard. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Lakewood Ranch High School Marching band drumline showed off their percussive skills. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Mayor Mark Short stood with city staff members during the band’s musical performance. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anna Maria Commissioner Gary McMullen attended the ceremony with his wife, Pam. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Code Enforcement Manager Dave DeZutter and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Collins attended the ceremony after driving city vehicles in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anna Maria Administrative Assistant Iris Mavenyengwas, Executive Assistant Barbara Jeffries and volunteer Jackson Jeffries assisted with the Veterans Day ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones served in the Marine Corps. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Bob and Debbie Haynes enjoyed the ceremony and the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Cortez remembers those who served during Veterans Day tribute

Written by Leslie Lake on November 18, 2025. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – Cortezians have a long history of serving in the military and that service was recognized during a Veterans Day commemoration on Nov. 10 at the Cortez Cultural Center.
Members of the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) and friends met at the center for an informal coffee gathering and Veterans Day tribute.
“Today is really special. We’re here to acknowledge and honor our veterans and their service to the defense of our nation,” CVHS Vice President Paul Dryfoos said. “Cortez has a very strong tradition of national service, and many Cortez families have sent family members off to World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Middle East; generation after generation of service.”
Dryfoos noted that CVHS is an historic organization.
“I wanted to point out our veterans wall, which has an honor roll for the first and second World Wars,” he said. “There is some really great memorabilia, including one of the uniforms which I understand belonged to a member of the Adams family.”
He then told the story of the Adams family, six brothers from Cortez who served during World War II, and were recognized in 1988 by the late Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, who added a tribute to the brothers in the Congressional Record.
Dryfoos read some of Chiles’ narrative during the tribute: “Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute today to the Adams family of Cortez, Florida. The reason I am calling attention to this one native Florida family is because all six of the brothers, William, Leon, Willis, Cleveland, Henry and Clyde, served overseas in the U.S. armed services at the same time during World War II.”
“Think about it,” Dryfoos said. “Six brothers serving very much on the front lines at the same time.”
Dryfoos told the stories of two of the brothers.
“Willis Howard Adams, who’s known as Snooks, he was the third son, he was the first one to enlist,” he said. “He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and had a total of seven battle stars awarded on the various ships on which he served. After the war, Snooks returned to Cortez and went back into the family fishing business. Ultimately he went into a career in law enforcement, and was with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department and was chief of police of Holmes Beach.”
“His brother Clyde, the youngest brother, joined the Army Air Force in 1942 and he flew 15 combat missions, but he was shot down on his 15th mission,” Dryfoos said. “He spent a year in a German POW camp and then he came back to Cortez. He re-enlisted and flew 15 more missions in the Korean War. This is the kind of grit and determination that we all know sons and daughters of Cortez have had through history.”

Longtime Cortez resident Carol Kio-Green reflected on the service of Cortez residents during World War II.
“There were at least 67 members of Cortez who served,” she said. “In a community with a population of around 500, that’s over 10% of the population left to go into service. That was a substantial loss of the people who were fishing.
“My mother used to say she had 20 first cousins in the service and she never bothered to sit and count the second cousins and cousins once removed; it was a huge number for such a small community,” Kio-Green said.
Ardeth Black spoke about her husband, Greg, a Vietnam veteran.
“He was shot in the leg in a swamp mission. He is surviving under the effects of Agent Orange and is doing his best,” she said. “In honor of Greg, I’m going to make a donation to the Cultural Center. I would encourage others to do the same. It’s for Greg and the Vietnam vets.”
“My dad was lieutenant commander in the Navy on the USS Enterprise, and he got shot down overseas,” Sharon Otis said. “When you see the movies, that’s him. We knew the stories were going to die with him, because you know they won’t talk about it. My son got a lot of information before he died in ‘94.”
Allen Garner grew up in Cortez and knew the men who had served in World War II, including his father.
“It was basically every young man in Cortez,” Garner said. “The one thing I know about all those guys was they’d always share the funny stories and the interesting things that happened. None of them liked to talk about the dark side of the war.”
Joe Egolf, a veteran, said, “The appropriate response when someone says, ‘Thank you for your service’ is, ‘You were worth it.’ ”

Symphony salutes veterans

Written by Jason Schaffer on November 13, 2023. Posted in Entertainment, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – It was a feast for all five senses as hundreds gathered at Coquina Beach for the 2023 Symphony on the Sand.

The smell of gourmet food filled the air as the 45-piece Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO), under the accomplished baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld entertained the crowd with the backdrop that only a Gulf coast sunset can provide.

“This is literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I’ve traveled the world,” said Lisa Stadtler, visiting the Island from New Jersey. “I asked my husband where the heck we were. This doesn’t even seem real. The weather is perfect, the sunset is stunning and this music is just amazing.”

The Nov. 11 event celebrated Veterans Day, and veterans were at the center of the show. Every table was adorned with American flags, and the AMICCO proudly played plenty of patriotic tunes to honor the many veterans in attendance. People danced in the white sand and waved flags as the music filled the air.

“America has its problems, but I think no matter how much we may disagree on politics or policy, we all agree our veterans are what have secured our place as the best country in the world,” Sam Crowder said. “We live over in Bradenton and try to never miss this. It rained last year, but this weather is just amazing; what a blessing.”

Anna Maria honors veterans, spouses

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 13, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

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.”

Anna Maria honors veterans and military spouses

Anna Maria honors veterans, military spouses

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 14, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city’s seventh annual Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and post-parade recognition ceremony honored military veterans and their spouses on Friday.

The parade traveled down Pine Avenue and ended at City Pier Park, where the recognition ceremony took place.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Dep. Patrick Manning and his wife, Corrie, served as this year’s grand marshals. Manning recently left the Sheriff Office’s Anna Maria unit for another assignment. In 2007, he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a major.

The parade featured five high school marching bands, a Marine Corps color guard, military veterans, first responders, local junior ROTC battalions, a group of children representing The Center, local politicians and business owners, the Anna Maria Island Privateers, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders and more.

The parade attendees included 100-year- old Bradenton resident Elizabeth Schultz, who served as an Army nurse in England during World War II. Her brothers also served in that war.

As the parade passed by her location in front of Roser Memorial Community Church, Schultz shouted, “Thank you and God bless you” to the parade participants.

The recognition ceremony under the City Pier Park shade sail structure was led by Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, who ran an Army gunboat in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War in 1968-69.

The ceremony featured an invocation by Bishop Michael Garrison, a flyover featuring a U.S. Coast Guard plane and helicopter, a U.S. Marine Corps color guard and children from The Center presenting military spouses with yellow roses and thank you cards made by the youngsters. Junior ROTC members also presented flags and commemorative medals to the veterans as they were recognized according to the military branch in which they served.

The ceremony also featured the Lakewood Ranch High School band performing “The Star Spangled Banner,” “American the Beautiful” and “The Horse.”

During the ceremony, Murphy thanked the many city staff members who made the Veterans Day events possible with a preparation process that was briefly interrupted by Tropical Storm Nicole the day before.

After the ceremony, Murphy shared his thoughts on the day.

“It was a great parade and a great ceremony. I’m very pleased with the turnout we had today and I’m looking forward to our next patriotic event on Memorial Day. These types of events bring our community together. Neighbors get to see neighbors – sometimes they’re meeting new neighbors and sometimes they’re renewing old acquaintances. The parades we host in Anna Maria help create a hometown feel that harkens back to the past,” Murphy said.

“This is our biggest parade we’ve had yet, with more bands and more participants. We had
to dodge a hurricane and some stormy weather this morning. The weather was beautiful this afternoon and we had a great crowd. It’s heartwarming to see all these people thanking our veterans and spouses for their service and sacrifices. This is a feel-good, patriotic moment,” he said.

When asked about the first-time participation of the junior ROTC members, Murphy said, “I think it’s very important that young people participate and see veterans being recognized for their service. These young people are the future and some of them will have to step up in the future to defend our country. It’s good that they can witness what’s going on here today. It’s an important day and an important moment.”

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Chris Gaines was among the youngest veterans to attend Friday’s ceremony, as he does every year.

“It was fantastic. I’m glad they honored everybody, including the veteran’s wives and families,” Gaines said.

“The parade gets better every year. I can’t wait until next year. It’s amazing how Veterans Day is so celebrated these days. It’s long overdue. I’m glad they recognized the veterans. That’s the most important thing,” Manning said. Regarding his first experience as a parade grand marshal, he said, “It went by too fast.”

Army Vietnam War veteran Dennis Kretzler drove the Jeep that carried the grand marshals down the parade route.

“It was awesome. It was beautiful,” he said of the parade and the ceremony.

Peggy Kuehn appreciated the recognition given to military spouses.

“That was very moving. My husband, Bill, was an Army vet and he passed away 11 months ago tomorrow,” she said.

The recognition ceremony was followed by a free ice cream social held just up the street at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.

These local veterans participated in Friday’s parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Manatee High School U.S. Army JROTC battalion was one of the JROTC battalions featured in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Southeast High School marching band was one of five bands in this year’s parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

These former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders joined the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beach Bums and the Manatee High School marching band were among the parade participants. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The youngsters represented The Center in the parade. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The military flyover included a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Mayor Dan Murphy addressed the crowd during the veterans recognition ceremony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The recognition ceremony took place under the City Pier Park shade sail structure. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anna Maria honoring vets with parade and ceremony

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 8, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade is expected to be bigger than ever this year.

The parade begins Friday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Gulf Drive/Pine Avenue intersection and ends at City Pier Park, followed by a recognition ceremony for veterans and their spouses.

The parade will feature five high school marching bands, Palmetto High School Air Force JROTC cadets, a Marine Corps color guard, military vehicles, floats, vehicles representing local businesses, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders, local civic organizations and more.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy and Iraq War veteran Patrick Manning and his wife, Corrie, will serve as this year’s grand marshals.

Army veteran and Mayor Dan Murphy recently said this year’s parade is expected to feature more marching bands and more participants because the city of Palmetto canceled its Veterans Day parade.

Under the City Pier Park shade sail structure, the recognition ceremony for veterans and their spouses will include a Coast Guard flyover and the young JROTC cadets handing out commemorative medals to the veterans who previously served in the armed forces.

“It’s going to be a big event,” Murphy said.

The veterans recognition ceremony will be followed by a free ice cream social at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum complex at 402 Pine Ave.

Street closures

To accommodate the parade, Pine Avenue will be closed at 9 a.m. Friday morning and remain closed until the parade is over with an expected reopening to traffic around 3 p.m. South Bay Boulevard from Spring Avenue to Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard from Pine Avenue to the north end of Bayfront Park, will also be closed at 9 a.m. Gulf Drive between Magnolia and Pine avenues will close as early as 11 a.m. The closed roads will reopen as soon as safely possible after the parade concludes.

All free trolley stops along Pine Avenue will be bypassed from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. The City Pier trolley stop will be relocated to Spring Avenue at South Bay Boulevard.

Handicapped parking will be available near the City Pier for those with valid handicapped placards and/or license plates.

Parade honors veterans

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 12, 2019. Posted in Anna Maria, Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Veterans, an honor guard, marching bands, local businesses and organizations – including a group of youngsters from The Center of Anna Maria Island, a pirate ship, police boats, police vehicles, a fire truck, a dump truck, old trucks and cars, motorcycles, a mounted patrol and more made their way down Pine Avenue on Monday during the third annual Old Soldiers & Sailors Parade.

Hosted by the city of Anna Maria and celebrating Veterans Day, this year’s parade featured the Lakewood High School, Manatee High School and Southeast High School marching bands.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and his wife Barbara led a group of Island veterans down the parade route Nov. 11. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The musical duo Brigid’s Cross also performed as they traveled down the parade route on a trailer filled with folks from the Bridge Tender Inn.

The parade route began at the Gulf Drive intersection and ended at City Pier Park, where the annual post-parade Veterans Day ceremonies took place. During the ceremony, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy welcomed the visiting elected officials who hold city, county and state offices. After the invocation, the honor guard presented the colors and stood at the base of the City Pier Park flagpole while the Lakewood Ranch High School Band played the national anthem, followed by a trumpeter from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra playing “Taps.”

Murphy asked the spouses and significant others of those who served to come forward and be recognized. He then asked the attending veterans to come forward according to the branch of the military branch they served in.

“This is their day, Veterans Day,” said Murphy, a veteran himself. The band then played a rousing rendition of John Phillip Sousa’s “King Cotton” and a song from the 60s called “The Horse” that featured the trombone section standing front and center.

AMI Historical Society board members and volunteers scooped out free ice cream at a Veterans Day ice cream social. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After the ceremony, many folks headed over to the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum for a free ice cream social where AMI Historical Society board members scooped out bowls of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Related coverage

Veterans Day parade honors military

Veterans Day parade honors military

Written by SUN contributor on November 13, 2018. Posted in Community News, Featured.

The city of Anna Maria honored active military service men and women along with our veterans during a moving Veterans Day flag ceremony held at City Pier Park on Monday.

Music for the event was provided by the Pine Park Quartet and members of the United States Marine Corps.

The day’s events kicked off with the Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. Following the flag ceremony, an ice cream social was hosted by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and sponsored in part by Dips Ice Cream Shop and the Roser Food Pantry.

- Kristin Swain | Sun

The Lakewood Ranch drumline. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Manatee High School marching band is decked out in their patriotic best as they play during the Veterans Day parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

- Kristin Swain | Sun

Some of our Island military veterans, including Sun reporter Tom Vaught, took to the street to march down Pine Avenue in the Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

- Kristin Swain | Sun

Southeast High School marching band. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Local veterans stand to be recognized for their military service as the Pine Park Quartet sings the final verse of “Veterans Hallelujah.” - Kristin Swain | Sun

A Marine Corps honor guard at the start of a flag ceremony honoring veterans at City Pier Park in Anna Maria. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Old Soldiers and Sailors parade honors vets

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 14, 2017. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The inaugural Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day parade delighted cheering crowds lining Pine Avenue on Friday, Nov. 10.

A bagpiper and color guard led the parade down Pine Avenue, followed by two marching bands, veterans riding in various vehicles, local veterans on foot, children from The Center and more. The Privateers’ Skullywag float brought up the rear as the parade ended at City Pier Park.

Underneath the new shade sail structure, Vietnam War veteran and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy presented ceremonial medals to attending veterans after a flag-raising ceremony and the playing of “Taps.”

“I’m overwhelmed and humbled by the turnout for this parade. It started out with one bagpiper and a drummer and morphed into two marching bands and 30 to 40 different mobile entries. I’m happy we put a lot of smiles on a lot of peoples’ faces today. That was what I wanted to do. My staff did an incredible job, and you can bet we’re going to do it again next year,” Murphy said afterwards.

After the ceremony, several people headed over to the Anna Maria Historical Society Museum for an ice cream social, where museum volunteers scooped and served ice cream and toppings donated by Dips Ice Cream and the Anna Maria General Store and Deli.

Veterans Day in Cortez

Written by Cindy Lane on November 11, 2017. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

The Cortez Cultural Center celebrated Veterans Day on Saturday with a flag-raising ceremony, a prayer for all veterans, living and dead, and an all-American picnic with hot dogs and hamburgers. Invitations were heeded for local motorists to blow their horns on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in honor of veterans; World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Vaught’s Vietnam

Written by Cindy Lane on November 8, 2017. Posted in Awards, Awards 2017, Awards 2018, Community News, Second Place, Special Sections.

Each year, the Anna Maria Island Sun features a local veteran for Veteran’s Day. We have introduced many Island and Cortez veterans of World War II to our readers, but this year, with the popularity of the Vietnam War series on PBS, we chose a Vietnam vet.

Second Place

Online Package

with Bob Hite

of Kinship Productions

2018

Second Place

Multimedia Storytelling

2017

We didn’t have far to look.

Tom Vaught has been a reporter and photographer for the Sun since its first issue hit the street at the turn of this century.

A while back, he tacked a photo of a scene from the film “Apocalypse Now” on his cubicle wall in the newsroom showing Robert Duvall’s pronouncement that “Charlie don’t surf.” That’s when his service came to light.

“Charlie” is short for “Victor Charlie,” the name American troops gave the enemy Viet Cong, or North Vietnamese.

To Tom, “Charlie don’t surf” is a reminder that the enemy meant business.

Tom enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, following the lead of his brother, who also served in Vietnam.

Marine Corps – and actual – brothers Mike and Tom Vaught at China Beach in Vietnam.

It was the only branch of the service he ever considered. He never told their Mom that they were once in the same rocket attack.

After training in San Diego in July, 1968, he found himself in An Hoa, South Vietnam.

After that, he was “always on ready,” and didn’t have a good night’s sleep until he got back home.

“When Da Nang fell, I said to myself, ‘At least there are no more explosions,’ ” he said of the beginning of the end of the war, which resulted in a North Vietnamese victory.

The constant noise of battle has put him off Fourth of July fireworks on the Island, but the holiday is perhaps more meaningful to Tom because of it, and is one reason he looks forward every year to covering Peace Day at Anna Maria Elementary School.

“Everybody’s mad and upset, and everybody’s right, and we need to change it. We need to plant a seed with these kids and hope they go with it,” he said.

Veterans Park, Bradenton – Cindy Lane | Sun

As Tom and his comrades listened to shots flying overhead, he said they knew about the peace-ins and anti-war protests back home, but didn’t take it personally. However, he objected to protesters who burned the American flag.

The troops got their news from DJs like Adrian Cronauer, made famous by Robin Williams in the film, “Good Morning Vietnam.” The real Cronauer had a calmer, more soothing delivery than the Williams version, Tom recalls, but was almost as entertaining.

Veterans Park, Bradenton — The Vietnam Wall at Veterans Park in Bradenton – Cindy Lane | Sun

Tom said he would like to visit Vietnam again, without the chaos of war, because he likes the people.

He probably won’t go surfing this time, though.

Surfing at China Beach, a recreational area for in-country U.S. troops, “is the closest I came to dying,” he joked, adding that he had to be rescued by a Navy lifeguard.

While struggling against the South China Sea, Tom said he was thinking that if he died, his epitaph would be, “He surfed his country well.”

Flag at Veterans Park, Bradenton — – Cindy Lane | Sun

Happy Veteran’s Day, Corporal Thomas Vaught, and to all Vietnam vets.

Welcome home, and thanks for your service.

Don’t forget our veterans

Written by Tom Vaught on November 7, 2017. Posted in Editorial, Opinion.

In this week’s paper, Cindy Lane features me as I was almost 50 years ago; a Marine in Vietnam.

There were no “John Wayne” moments for me in that war, no charging the enemy with rifles blazing. I was assigned to an artillery unit near Da Nang. Next to us was a larger base where supplies and ammo were sent to the troops near the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Some of our warriors were sent there to get away from the action but mortar and rocket attacks that
the enemy launched almost daily made that concept a joke.

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Vaught’s Vietnam

I was one of more than 2.7 million men and women who served during the conflict; they came in Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine uniforms and they fought a relentless enemy on their home turf.

Today we have a similar situation, fighting an enemy that swears to many different religions on their home turf. There are more females in our mix now, but we all believe in the one flag of the United States of America.

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day this year, I hope we remember these people are sacrificing their time, effort and, unfortunately, their lives in the service of their country.

Let us remember those who didn’t make it home to their families; and celebrate those who did.

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