Memorial Day events and parades happening around Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota
Manatee County is preparing to honor those who died in the service of the United States with several Memorial Day events.
The community’s oldest observance, presented by the Manatee County Veterans Council, is set for 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Donald L. Courtney Veterans Memorial Park on the Bradenton Riverwalk behind Manatee Memorial Hospital.
Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant will be the keynote speaker.
Also planned are opening and closing remarks by Jim Locke, chairman of the veterans council, performance of the National Anthem and the playing of Taps, laying of wreaths by the Lakewood Ranch Junior ROTC and reciting of “In Flanders Field” by retired Army Col. Gill Ruderman.
Ruderman, who received the Purple Heart for wounds during the Vietnam War, was born in 1943 into a Jewish family in Tel Aviv, before the creation of the state of Israel, to a Palestinian mother and an American father.
His father, a career Army officer, moved the family to the United States from Persia, today known as Iran, in 1948. Ruderman graduated from high school in Fayetteville, N.C., and in 1962 received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Lakewood Ranch Tribute to Heroes Parade
Also planned for Memorial Day is Lakewood Ranch’s annual Tribute to Heroes Parade 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 26, on Lakewood Main Street. The parade celebrates local veterans, those serving on active duty and those who lost their lives in America’s wars.
The parade will feature floats, live entertainment, food vendors and activities for children.
Admission to the parade is free. Event proceeds will support local non-profit and veteran organizations.
For more information, visit LWRTributeToHeroes.org.
City of Anna Maria
The City of Anna Maria will have its annual Memorial Day Symphony with a salute to veterans from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade
The annual Sarasota Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, on Main Street and Osprey Avenue. A ceremony featuring U.S. Army veteran Michael Tollerton will be held at approximately 11 a.m. at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive.
Sarasota National Cemetery
Volunteers may sign up to help place flags for more than 35,000 people interred at Sarasota National Cemetery on Sat., May 25, 7:30 a.m., 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. Sign up in advance at SarasotaWreaths.com.
The Memorial Day ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. Sat., May 25. No registration is necessary.
On Saturday, June 1 at 8:30 a.m., the cemetery will host its flag removal and retirement ceremony. No registration is necessary.
