Friday is Veterans Day - a time set aside for Americans to pay tribute to those who have served in uniform.
But if you’re unsure what to do or how to reach out, The Military Times suggests 8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day and United We Serve, the National Service Blog, posted 10 Ways to Support and Honor Veterans.
In the Tampa Bay area, there are a variety of Veterans Day events open to the public on Nov. 11, 2016.
- The Bay Pines VA hosts a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. with keynote speaker U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. (retired) Arnold Fields in the courtyard between buildings 2 and 37 on the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center campus, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL.
- The James A. Haley VA holds its 9th annual parade, ceremony and cookout for veterans and the public free of charge beginning at 10 a.m. near the hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa. This year, the VA is honoring Vietnam Veterans 50 years after the end of the war.
- The Hillsborough County Veterans Council holds its 52nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N, Tampa. The park opens at 8 a.m. and the museum at 10 a.m.
- Saint Leo University’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. features State Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, as guest speaker on the university campus, 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, FL.
- In downtown Sarasota, the city’s annual Veterans Day parade will march through town beginning at 10 a.m. ending at Selby Five Points Park, 1331 1st St, Sarasota, FL, for a ceremony with keynote speaker retired Lt. Ryan Simonson, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, who served 13 years in the U.S. Army.
- Largo has planned music by the Florida Fan Fare Brass, refreshments, military displays beginning at 1 p.m. with a ceremony and speaker U.S. Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) round out Veterans Day activities at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL.
If you can’t make it to a public event, you can fly the American Flag or simply thank a veteran for their service today or any day.
