Memorial Day Weekend events in Central Florida

CORRECTIONS

Osceola Memory Gardens – Monday - 8:30 am (not 9:30), 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744. Osceola County Veterans Council and other groups perform ceremony. Light refreshments. Public invited. 407-957-2511.

Greenwood Cemetery – Monday - 10am, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando. American Legion Post #19 and Ladies Aux. perform a traditional ceremony with wreath laying and Taps. Guest speaker: Orlando City Commissioner Robert F. Stuart (not Stewart). Public invited. 407-246-2616

Event List Additions – Orange County

Edgewood/Greenwood Cemetery – Monday – 11am at the veteran’s memorial off Edgewood Ave.in Apopka, 32703. Hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10147 of Apopka/Altamonte Springs. Many speakers including Apopka Mayor John H. Land. Flag placement on graves, dove release to honor the fallen soldiers and a bagpiper performance. Public is invited. Notice courtesy of the Apopka Chief newspaper.

Conquest Cemetery – Monday – 10am, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Yothers Road, Zellwood, 32798. “Remembering the forgotten war, Korea.” With speaker Rev. Ron Allen, Rev. Darrell Reid, and music by the Zellwood United Methodist Church choir. Laying of flowers and placing of flags at the graves of veterans. Public is invited. Notice courtesy of the Apopka Chief newspaper.

Polk County Bok Tower Gardens Memorial Day Carillon Concerts – Monday – 1pm and 3pm, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853. Half-hour carillon concerts as musical salute of gratitude to our nation’s veterans and current members of America’s armed forces. Free admission offered to all branches of the military, active, retired and disabled veterans with valid ID. Concerts included with general admission. 863-676-1408. Notice courtesy of WendyWallenberg.com Memorial Day and weekend events in Central Florida
Please share with others. From Cathy Haynes

Fallen Floridians’ Memorial Cross Tribute – starting Sat. May 18 thru Tues. May 28, there are over 380 crosses set up in Lawton House Grounds in Oviedo. Prospective Eagle Scout Conner MacFarlane is completing his Eagle Scout project by making and placing grapevine wreaths on the crosses which represent the Floridians who have died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the crosses belongs to his father who died in Afghanistan last year – Army Capt. Bruce MacFarlane. You may walk among the crosses to honor the Fallen Heroes each day from 10am – 8pm. A Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled on Mon. May 27 at 10am where Conner and other scouts will conduct the program. Lawton House Grounds, 200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765. This is a joint venture of the First United Methodist Church of Oviedo Military Support Group, Jim Vanderbleek and Conner MacFarlane. Event Coordinator Colleen Hutton, 407-721-6372 colleenhutton@me.com

Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum – Sat. May 25 thru Mon. May 27 – Open House 9am – 5pm, 6600 Tico Rd., Titusville, 32780. Free admission for active or retired military and ALL Florida residents. (I.D. required) Low fly-bys, memorabilia, combat pilots, exhibits and displays honoring the military. 321-268-1941.

Friday

Ocoee’s Memorial Day Ceremony – Fri. 11am, Starke Lake Gazebo, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, 34761, next to City Hall. Guest speaker is Army Sgt. Anthony Cala – wounded warrior with 3 Iraq deployments, Valencia College financial aid ambassador and president of the Student Veterans of America Valencia College West, Wounded Warrior Project alumni and peer mentor. Ceremony will include patriotic songs and wreath placements at Memorial Wall. Refreshments served afterwards at GFWC Women’s Club of Ocoee. POC: Joy Wright at 407-905-3100 x9 1530, joy.wright@ocoee.org

Orlando VA Medical Center – Fri. 10am - 5201 Raymond St, Orlando, FL 32803. Timber Creek High School Air Force JROTC cadets will perform ceremony at Community Living Center (CLC) flagpole. Public is invited.

Clermont Vet Center – Fri. 11am – 2pm, Memorial Day weekend Open House at 1655 E. Hwy 50, Suite 102, Clermont, 34711. Located behind the Outback Steak House on the first floor of the Schmid building. Vet Centers provide services in an attempt to facilitate a more positive adjustment to civilian life. Readjustment counseling services (individual, group, and significant other) are available for any eligible Veteran. Services include professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, and brokering of services with community agencies. Also, Vet Centers serve as a link for the Veteran to other services in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 352-536-6701.

Saturday

Cypress Grove Park – Sat., 10am – 12 noon, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, 32839. Orlando Concert Band, Color Guards, JROTC, POW-MIA presentation, Folding of the Flag ceremony. All veterans welcomed. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Food for sale. 407-855-5877.

Team Patriot Paddle – 9am – 5pm, Katie’s Landing on Wekiva River, 190 Katie’s Cove, Sanford, 32771. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards will paddle eight miles at their own leisurely speed thru natural Florida. Bring your own gear and pledge awareness, future donations and support for Wounded Warrior Project, Heroes on the Water, and Team Rubicon. 407-461-9420.

Greeters needed! 2 Honor Flight hubs are taking their trip to Washington DC on Sat. May 25. Greeters are needed to welcome the WWII veterans home after their eventful day. About 50 veterans from Central Florida and Villages hubs will take the day long trip to visit the WWII Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Korean War and Vietnam Wall Memorials and others. Come welcome them, the guardians and staff home at the airport in the evening! Villages Honor Flight hub returns to Orlando Int’l Airport (MCO) from Baltimore (BWI) at about 8:30 pm aboard Southwest Airline #1407 at Terminal A, Airside 2 (gates 100-129). Honor Flight Central Florida hub returns to OIA from BWI at about 9:15pm aboard AirTran #436. Same Terminal location. Free parking and transportation to terminal has been arranged at an off-site facility… Contact Cathy at 407-239-8468 chaynes11629@yahoo.com to get the location and password!

ALWAYS check online before leaving home to verify return arrival times due to possible unscheduled changes. If you wish to assist the groups in the early mornings (abt 5am!) at the airport, contact Cathy.

Sunday

Golf Tournament for Operation Giveback – Sunday, beginning at 11am with ceremony, Mayfair Country Club's Memorial Day Golf Outings Proceeds will be donated to “Operation Giveback” and their programs in Central Florida. 3536 Country Club Road, Sanford, 32771. (4) Four Man Scramble so build your own team or be paired up the day of the event. $50 per player the day of the event. 18 holes, range balls, and luncheon. Prizes, 50/50 raffle and more! POC: John or Todd at 407-322-2531.
SPECIAL: Army Induction of about 15 young men and women will occur just prior to the start of the Golf Tournament.

American Legion Post #112 –Sunday, 11am, 4490 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, 32792 (btwn Aloma Blvd and University Blvd.) Fleet Reserve and Sea Cadets assisting with ceremony. Public invited. 407-671-6404.

Taft Cemetery – Sunday, 1pm, 501 Landstreet Rd., Orlando, 32824. Dorie Miller Memorial American Legion Post #331 will conduct ceremony and flag placements on veterans graves. Public invited. Post phone: 407-294-3548.

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley Vietnam War Museum – Sunday, 2:30pm, 3400 N. Tanner Rd., Orlando, 32826. VFW Community Band, Color Guards, wreaths, JROTC units and Young Marines, guest speaker Wade Coye- Attorney and Army veteran, Vietnamese community participation. Reading of the names on the Memorial Wall of the Orange County warriors who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. Followed by food for sale and entertainment – Bubba Summersill and Nora Ricci, 4pm - 8pm. (They will also be performing on Sat. night 4pm -8pm.) 321-279-0494.

Arabian Nights Veterans Show – Sun. 11am, Special Veterans Matinee “The American Princess” starts at 12 noon, 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd, Kissimmee, 34747. $25 per person includes lunch and special presentation of their show. Taxes and gratuity included. www.arabian-nights.com 407-589-2412.

Monday – Memorial Day
Brevard County

Riverfront Park – 9:30 am, downtown Cocoa Village, 401 Riveredge Blvd, Cocoa, 32922. Opening remarks will be presented by Col. Robert J. Pavelko, Vice Commander, 45th Space Wing, Eastern Range Patrick AFB. Guest speaker is Maureen Miller, a Gold Star Mother whose son, Army Special Forces SSG Robert J. Miller, Medal of Honor recipient, was killed in Afghanistan. Following the ceremony, Ms. Miller will have various remembrances from her son displayed on Memorial Day from 10:30a-12p at the Porcher House at 434 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa. 321-639-3500

Orange County

Veterans Memorial Park – 8:30am, 420 South Park Ave., Winter Garden, 34787. 20th anniversary of Memorial Day services at Veterans Memorial Park. There will be a Roll Call of Veterans, a placement of wreaths and patriotic songs performed. Guest speaker Lt.Gen. Jay Garner, USA (ret.)

Orange County War Memorial Rededication Ceremony – 10am, Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will express eternal gratitude to Army Specialist Marcos A. Cintron. The Orange County resident died while supporting Operation New Dawn and his name will be engraved upon the Memory Wall. Guest speaker Dr. Alzo J. Reddick, (USA, 1961-1964), Florida House of Representatives (1982-2000.)

Woodlawn Memorial Park – Ceremony beginning at 10am; BBQ and Car Show at 12noon -3pm, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, 34734. Orlando Concert Band, Young Marines Color Guard, chorus, scouts. flag parade. Guest speakers Congressman John Mica and Congressman Daniel Webster. Rifle volley, Taps and the tolling of the replica Liberty Bell in memory of the dead of all wars. 407-293-1361.

Glen Haven Memorial Park – 11am, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789. Bud Hedinger emcee’s “We Remember Them” with Guest Speaker LT Steven Soares, NC, USN (ret.), singer Charles Haugabrooks, Winter Springs High School JROTC, VFW Post 2093 Community Band, Scouts and more. 407-647-1100.

Greenwood Cemetery – 10am, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando. American Legion Post #19 and Ladies Aux. perform a traditional ceremony with wreath laying and Taps. Guest speaker: Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stewart. Public invited. 407-246-2616

Osceola County

Osceola Memory Gardens – 9:30 am, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, 34744. Osceola County Veterans Council and other groups perform ceremony. Light refreshments. Public invited. 407-957-2511.

Celebration – 10am, Veterans Memorial at the corner of Campus and Celebration Ave, Celebration, 34747. Flag ceremony by Scouts, Celebration Community Chorus performs an Armed Forces Salute, and Marine LCpl Jason Burnett of St. Cloud, a casualty in Iraq, will be remembered. 407-566-1200 x224.

Mount Peace Cemetery – 10am, 755 E. 10th St., St. Cloud, 34769. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3227 (VFW 3227) is hosting St. Cloud's Memorial Day Service. Everyone is invited to stop by to remember and honor those who gave their all in the service of their country. 407-892-6761.

Seminole County

Lawton House Grounds - 10am, 200 West Broadway, Oviedo, 32765. Over 380 crosses with grapevine wreaths represent the Fallen Florida warriors of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Prospective Eagle Scout Conner MacFarlane will memorialize his father, a casualty in 2012. Other scouts will also conduct the program. Public invited.

Sanford’s 2013 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony - 10AM on historic First Street and end at the Veterans Memorial Park overlooking Lake Monroe, 110 E. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, 32771. The host organization for this year’s parade will be the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter 173.
Memorial Day Ceremony – 11am, immediately following the parade, at the Sanford Veterans Memorial Park honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

60th Anniversary of the Korean War – following the Parade and Memorial Day Ceremony, City of Sanford Civic Center, 401 E. Seminole Blvd, 32771. Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) #173, the Department of Defense and the Republic of Korea will furnish 60th Anniversary Certificates of Appreciation to Korean War veterans, and to families of the deceased. The Korean War was fought from June 25, 1950 until July 27 1953. Korean community traditional dancers and food. You are not required to be a resident of Seminole County to receive a certificate - this is a national event and certificates can be mailed. National Website: http://www.koreanwar60.com/webform/official-dod-certificate-appreciation-form-0 The Public is invited. Info: Chuck Travers at 407-252-0773 or rodojohn5@centurylink.net.

Longwood Memorial Gardens – 11am, 929 North Grant Street, Longwood, 32750. VFW Post #8207 will have a memorial ceremony. Public invited.

Sumter County

Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell – 11am, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, 33513. Traditional and touching ceremony. Guest speaker is Col. Mike Prendergast, USA (ret.), Executive Director of Florida Veterans Affairs. Guests are invited to arrive early and enjoy the patriotic and inspirational musical prelude which will begin shortly before the ceremony. Seating is limited, those attending are encouraged to arrive early, wear comfortable clothing and bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit upon. 352-793-7740 x12