The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Bunnell, and the City of Palm Coast invite residents to gather for a blended Veterans’ Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11, at the historic Coquina City Hall in Bunnell. For the first time in decades the day’s events will begin with a parade to honor the men and women who bravely served in the country’s military.
The parade will travel east on Moody Boulevard and conclude at the Government Services Building where the traditional ceremony will begin. U.S. Representative Michael Waltz will be the grand marshal of the parade and will share a few words at the ceremony.
Also at the ceremony that follows, the “Flagler County Colonel Gary E. DeKay Veteran of the Year” award recipient will be announced.
“This will be a truly wonderful day because of the partnerships with our cities, county veterans, and our residents,” said Veterans Services Officer David Lydon. “On behalf of the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council, we would like to announce our special guest speaker will be retired United States Army Lt. Colonel Bill May, a Vietnam War veteran and the current Commander of our local DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 86.”
May is a decorated Vietnam War veteran helicopter pilot, who received the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star among other awards. He is originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, and served in the Army from 1967 to 1988.
This year’s Veterans’ Day event is sponsored by the Flagler County Commission, the City of Bunnell, the City of Palm Coast, and the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council.
Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon is the force behind reinstituting a local Veterans’ Day Parade for Flagler County.
“Veterans’ Day is an opportunity for all of us to come together in a show of respect and appreciation for the brave men and women who served our country,” he said in a release issued by the parade committee. “We are honored to host this parade and ceremony, and we invite everyone to join in this meaningful celebration.”
Veterans groups that will participate include: American Legion Post 115, Combat Vets of America, Marine Corps League 876, Military Officers Association of America-Flagler Chapter, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8696, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Knights of Columbus Assembly 2810, as well as Flagler Palm Coast High School AFJROTC and Matanzas High School Army JROTC, the Palm Coast Community Chorus, and scouting troops from across Flagler County.
A picnic lunch for veterans will immediately follow the ceremony at the Government Services Complex for both veterans and their families. There will be 500 meals provided by Woody’s Bar-B-Q. Registration is not required and the meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parade information is available at the website www.FlaglerVeteransDayParade.
