November is always a very busy month for our veteran community. Members of the Korean War Veterans Association will be participating in this year’s University of Florida Homecoming Parade with a large patriotic float. Also in the parade is our own Wreaths Across America trailer that was donated by Wal-Mart. This huge trailer is wrapped in red, white and blue promoting the annual event that is held at Forest Meadows East on the second Saturday of December. Veterans who participate in the homecoming parade gush with pride when the crowd rises to their feet and applauds their service as they proudly march by.
The biggest event in November is our annual Community Veterans Day Ceremony. Everyone is invited to attend, on Nov 11, as we honor all veterans with a special “Welcome Home” to our Vietnam Veterans. Scheduled activities include skydivers, music, military equipment displays, helicopters coming and going, drill team performances, live bands and an old fashioned BBQ. In order to secure a good seat try to get to the Veterans Memorial Park (off Tower Rd) before 1000 hrs. Our friends at Forest Meadows will be setting up a large tent to provide shade and comfort and provide fresh cold water to all.
On Nov 14th we will be celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps 240th birthday with a banquet at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel in Gainesville. This celebration will include special guests like Medal of Honor recipient Duane Dewey and Iwo Jima survivor and local hero Bob Gasche.
Save the date for Dec 12 as Forest Meadows will once again host our annual Wreaths Across America to be held at their Military Garden of Honor off Hawthorne Rd. For more information on this or any other event contact Forest Meadows Veterans Rep Jim Lynch at 352-538-3119.
