Veterans Day Events Schedule

       Veterans Day will be celebrated throughout the area this week.  Three separate local events have been announced, one in Tavares, one in Altoona, and another in Eustis.
    The celebration begins on Friday, November 10, when at 9 a.m. Lake County will host a ceremony in Tavares in front of the round courthouse.  The event will feature the unveiling of the county’s new Veterans Wall and feature speeches from local leaders, as well as a speech from special guest speaker Wilton Simpson, who is the Florida Agricultural Commissioner. 
    "Veterans Day holds a special place in the hearts of Americans, as it offers a solemn opportunity to express our profound gratitude and respect to those who have defended the principles upon which our nation was founded," said Kirby Smith, Chairman of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. "The Veterans Wall will stand as a lasting testament to their valor and sacrifice, reminding all who pass by of the debt of gratitude we owe to these heroes."   
    Veterans wishing to be added to the Veteran Wall may visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/veterans-services/wall for more information.
    On Saturday, American Legion Post 21 will host an event at 10 a.m. in Altoona, where performers and guest speakers will join volunteers for a special service.  The event will be held at the McTureous Memorial, located just north of the Altoona Post Office on SR 19.
    Joining Legion members will be members of the Umatilla High School JROTC program and the Spring Creek Charter School chorus.  The featured speaker will be Dr. Rich Stephenson.
    The event is free, and attendees are invited to bring a chair for additional comfort.
    A Salute To Veterans will convene in downtown Eustis beginning at 8:30 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.  An 8:30 a.m. two-mile fun run will give way to an all-day military vehicle heritage group display, food trucks, and craft vendors.  At 9 a.m., there will be a Phantom Airborne Brigade sky jump, and at 1 p.m. there will be a veterans parade on North Eustis Street.  At 2 p.m., a special Ceremony of Honor will be held at the Ferran Park Bandshell, where a special memorial remembering those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan will be in place.  The memorial is being installed on Friday, and will remain in place into Sunday.
    The event is free to attend, and learn more at www.eustis.org.