Citizens throughout Palm Beach County should take time from their schedules Sunday, Nov. 11, to honor the men and women who have fought to keep this nation free. Sunday is Veterans Day.
Boca Raton will conduct ceremonies at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Boca Raton Cemetery, 449 SW 4th Avenue. The Boca Raton Community High School Naval Junior ROTC (NJROTC) and Marching Band, along with local veterans groups, will provide special recognition to the military men and women who have served the country in times of war and peace.
Mayor Susan Whelchel will present a ceremonial wreath, followed by a 21-gun salute in recognition of veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Coastmen Chorus of Boca Raton and the Fort Lauderdale Highlanders will offer musical selections during the ceremony.
Also, the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee invites all to attend its annual Palm Beach County Veterans Day Parade Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. The parade route is along Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.
The Palm Beach County Veterans Committee is comprised of local veterans and community activists who organize and sponsor Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. For more information, visit
In honor of Veterans Day, students and School District employees have held several activities this past week. Some schools collected for Forgotten Soldiers while others wrote thank-you letters and delivered them to the local VA Hospital. Most schools invited guest speakers, and many had students interview faculty members or relatives of students who are veterans and showcased them on their in-school TV news programs.
School District employees at the Fulton-Holland Education Services Center and all other off-site administrative offices were to honor administrative employees who are veterans at a ceremony today, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. at the flag pole in front of the District’s headquarters building on Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach.
Students from the Boca Raton Community High School Navy Junior ROTC were to present the colors; students of Jupiter Middle School Band were to perform several patriotic selections and Boynton Beach Community High School’s Aunya May was to sing the National Anthem and close with “America the Beautiful.”
Superintendent Wayne Gent was scheduled to speak, read the names and acknowledge veterans who now serve the students, parents, staff, and School District community. Several veterans were to share their experiences and talk about the meaning and importance of Veterans Day.
Today, Nov. 9, at 7 pm., a free concert honoring all military personnel is scheduled in the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The concert will feature popular patriotic selections performed by the Wind Symphony of Florida under the direction of Dr. Kyle Prescott. Bring along a blanket or chair, or rent a chair for $2 to benefit the NJROTC. Food will be available for purchase.
Finally, the 14th Annual South Florida Veteran’s Day Dinner hosted by Paul LaGrone will be held Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Benevenuto’s Restaurant, 1730 North Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Featured speakers will be two local congressmen, Allen West and Ted Deutch. Dr. Raphael Wald will be the guest speaker. Music will be provided by the original “Ink Spots” group.
Tickets are $39.95 per guest. For reservations, contact J.R. Gordon, Event Chair, at 561-361-9091 or visit: AMOrganization@aol.com