Memorial Weekend events 2012 - for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties

Cathy Haynes keeps Central Florida up to date on what is going on for the military/veterans community and works tirelessly putting together a list of events topped off with showing up at most of them. If you think I work hard, I can't figure out how she does what she does!

Memorial Weekend events 2012 - for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties


Friday, May 25

8am - American Legion Post 109 at Ocoee Cemetery - The Colors will be raised and posting of American flags on veterans’ graves. The flags will remain posted until 1700 Monday, May 28th when they will be collected and Colors struck at the Cemetery. Info: 407-656-7285

11am - The City of Ocoee will remember and honor fallen soldiers at the Starke Lake Gazebo, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, next to City Hall. The keynote speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony will be JD Lopez. In 2002, Mr. Lopez became a combat soldier with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Infantry division. He is a two-time Iraq War veteran who survived a near fatal car explosion. Ceremony includes patriotic songs, Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard, Ocoee High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard, honor wreath to be set at Ocoee’s Memorial Wall inscribed with the names of Ocoee residents who sacrificed and served their country. Mayor Scott Vandergrift will recite the names of Ocoee residents who gave their lives for freedom. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ocoee High School student Nathan Kimbrell will play Taps. Refreshments afterwards. For more information, please call (407) 905-3100. (filming this)

Saturday, May 26

10am - Vietnam War Memorial Groundbreaking Ceremony - Veterans Memorial Park, 2380 Lake Baldwin Lane, Orlando. Presented by Vietnamese-American Memorial Committee in Florida. Veterans, Vietnamese-Americans and their families and friends are invited. (Info courtesy of Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel.)

Sunday, May 27

9 am-5 pm - Team Patriot Paddle - Katie's Landing on Wekiva River, 190 Katie's Cove, Sanford. Eight-mile Memorial Day River Run event for kakaks, canoes and stand-up paddlers to raise funds and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and Heroes on the Water. Bring your own gear. $5 donation. Details: 407-461-9420. (Info courtesy of Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel)

11am – American Legion Post 112 honors and remembers the persons who served and died for our freedoms. 4490 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, 32792. The public is invited. Free. 407-671-6404 or 407-212-6587.

12 noon – American Legion Post 331 and JROTC will place flags on veterans’ graves and have a ceremony at Taft Cemetery, 501 Landstreet Road in south Orlando, 32824. The public is invited. For more information, call 407-294-7228 or 407-405-3786.

2:30pm – Annual Memorial Day service at the Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (aka: the Bunker”) at 3400 N. Tanner Rd. in east Orlando. A solemn ceremony of 5 Color Guards, Vietnamese Veterans of Central FL, Guest speaker Marine Col. David Smith, wreath ceremony, and dedication of the new T-34 and Caribou airplanes. Optional und raising picnic style dinner following. The public is invited. Website and directions: www.nwmvocf.org For more info: 407-463-0192 or 508-523-7192 . (filming this)

Monday, May 28 – Memorial Day ceremonies
Orange County

8:30 am - Veterans Park, 420 S. Park Ave., Winter Garden. West Orange High School JROTC with roll call of veterans, placement of wreaths and patriotic songs. (Info courtesy of Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel.)

10am – Orange County Courthouse Veterans Memorial Wall, 425 N. Orange Ave. downtown Orlando on south side of bldg. Ceremony honoring the 2 Orange County soldiers who died in Afghanistan this past year – Pvt. J. Vaquerano and Pvt. A. Obod, Jr.. Their names will be engraved on the Memorial Wall of the Orange County persons who were killed serving our country and were county residents upon joining the armed forces. Mayor Teresa Jacobs, guest speaker SSgt Christopher Olejnik, the fallen warriors families, Color Guard, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. and others, Public is invited. Free. 407-836-2857.

10am – Woodlawn Memorial Park, 62nd Annual service, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, 34734. Guest speaker Former Congressman Lou Frey, Orlando Concert Band, Color Guard, JROTC and Scouts, Wreath laying and more to honor those who died while in military service. Band begins at 9:30 am. Following the service on the opposite side of the grounds will be the free 5th Annual Cruise-In car show and BBQ lunch (while supplies last.) 11am-3pm. Public is invited. Free. 407-293-1361.

10am – American Legion Post 19 and Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St. in downtown Orlando, 32801. The ceremony will include a guest speaker, wreath laying, rifle volley and Taps. Food and Entertainment at Post from 2pm – 5pm. The public is invited. For more information, call 407-453-5695.

11am – Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789. Featuring guest speakers Capt. Tae Shin, FLNG, and Capt. Joshua Walker, FLNG, VFW Post #2093 Band, singers, Civil War Reinactors, Winter Springs AJROTC, Scouts and others. Public is invited. Free. 407-647-1100. (filming this)

11am – American Legion Post 242 honors and remembers the persons who died for the freedoms of Americans and others. 17142 E. Colonial Dr. in eastern Orlando, 32820. Cookout at 1pm. Public is invited. 407-568-3416.

Osceola County

8:30 am – Ceremony at Osceola Memory Gardens by the Osceola County Veterans Council and numerous groups. 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744. Public is invited. Free. 407-957-2511

10am – VFW Post 3227 and American Legion Post#80 ceremony at Mount Peace Cemetery, 755 E. 10th St., St. Cloud, 34769. Guest speaker Peter Olivo – wounded Vietnam soldier, wreaths representing various wars and Posts, flags placed on veterans graves by Boy Scouts. Public is invited. Refreshments at American Legion Post 80 after the ceremony – 1019 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Cloud. 321-624-7093 or 407-892-8808.

11am – American Legion Post 10 honors and remembers the persons who died for our freedoms while serving our country. Ceremony at the Post flagpole. 200 Lakeshore Blvd., Kissimmee, 34742. Public is invited. Free. 407-847-4193.

Seminole County

10am – Memorial Day Parade in downtown Sanford featuring many veterans, military and patriotic groups. Begins on 1st Street in Sanford and thru the historic downtown area. Immediately following the parade is a tribute at the Veterans Memorial Park on the waterfront with honorary guests, gun volley salute, and helicopter flyover. Public is invited. 386-837-3973.

3pm – Casselberry Veterans Club will honor and remember the persons who died for our freedoms while serving our country with a Flagpole ceremony. 200 Concord Dr., Casselberry, 32750. A BBQ meal will be available for a small charge after the ceremony and until 6pm. Public is invited, ceremony is free. 407-340-9780.

3pm – American Legion Post 183 and VFW Post 10180 will have a patriotic ceremony at 3pm and picnic meal following the ceremony. Maitland/Casselberry/FernPark Post, 2706 Wells Ave., Casselberry, 32730. Public is invited. 407-831-8004.

Florida National Cemetery (6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, 33513, in Sumter County) The Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 30, rain or shine. The Guest Speaker will be Major Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, assistant deputy chief of staff; Hernando High School Band will play patriotic music prior to the ceremony and music will be performed during the ceremony. Seating is limited, those attending are encouraged to arrive early, wear comfortable clothing, and bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Organizations with colors are invited to participate in the massing of colors at the beginning of the program and should plan to arrive by 9:30 A.M. The Florida National Cemetery Visitor's Center will be open to the public on Memorial Day from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. For more information call 352-793-7740.

Others – Courtesy of Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel: 9 am-5 pm - Saturday-Monday - Valiant Air Command Open House - Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, 6600 Tico Road, Titusville. Vintage aircraft and memorabilia, flybys throughout weekend and pilots who flew the aircraft on display. Admission free for military (active or retired) and Florida residents. I.D. required. Details: 321-268-1941.

Memorial Remembrance Service: 9 a.m. Monday; Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach. Music by Daytona Beach Concert Band, flyovers by Spruce Creek Gaggle Flight and 21-gun salute by Volusia County Sheriff's Office, followed by taps. Parking at The Casements, Fortunato Park and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. Details: 386-676-3241.

Memorial Day Service: 10 a.m. Monday; Deltona Memorial Gardens, 1295 Saxon Blvd., Orange City. Sponsored by Veterans Community Education Partnership and Deltona Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Presentation of colors and placement of wreaths at Veterans Memorial by veterans groups and other organizations. Details: Bob McFall, 386-775-4260, or Mick Cotton, 386-960-5425.

Ponce Inlet Memorial Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Monday; Davies Lighthouse Park, 4931 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet. Flyover by Spruce Creek Gaggle Flight, 21-gun salute, wreath-laying and playing of taps.

Information was compiled by Cathy Haynes, member/supporter on numerous veterans and military organizations with the help from each organization.
All information is correct to the best of my knowledge with care. Sincere apologies if there are errors as the best of intentions and efforts were made. If additional ceremonies were not included, please contact me so that the information can be included next year.
407-239-8468
chaynes11629@yahoo.com