Communities across South Florida are preparing their annual salutes to all who helped defend and protect the United States through their military service.
They will mark Veterans Day — officially observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, to honor the end of World War I — at events that provide the opportunity to pause, reflect and say thanks to veterans while celebrating their courage and commitment.
Throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, plans include ceremonies, music, guest speakers, honor walls and more scheduled to take place before and on the federal holiday. Here’s a city-by-city guide.
BROWARD COUNTY
Coconut Creek
Dignitaries, guest speakers, the Coconut Creek Police Department Honor Guard and the Monarch High JROTC will be part of a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 3550 Lyons Road. The city is participating in the Stars for Our Troops program, which repurposes U.S. flags in honor of veterans. Donate worn flags (3-by-5 feet and made in the U.S. with embroidered stars) at the ceremony or drop off at City Hall, 4800 W. Copans Road. Visit coconutcreek.gov.
Cooper City
Show your appreciation for veterans past and present during the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Memorial Park, 9001 SW 51st St. Visit coopercity.gov.
Coral Springs
The city has planned two events to honor veterans:
- A Patriotic Community Concert is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at City Hall Lawn, 9500 W. Sample Road, with Eagles tribute band Hotel California and Coldplay tribute band Life in Technicolor. Veterans and their families will have a designated VIP area with free refreshments, commemorative lanyards and gifts. The Honor Walk will recognize local heroes for their service and sacrifice. A letter-writing station will be set up to send messages to active-duty service members. Food trucks will be on site. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free admission. Visit coralsprings.gov.
- The Veterans Day Ceremony takes place at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd., in partnership with the Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs. Visit coralsprings.gov.
Deerfield Beach
The city will have its Veterans Day Ceremony — A Tribute of Gratitude and Remembrance at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 435 SW Second St. A ceremonial three-round volley, Presentation of Colors, guest speakers and patriotic music are planned. Visit deerfield-beach.com.
Fort Lauderdale
The city and William C. Morris American Legion Post 36’s Veterans Day Ceremony honors all who served at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Sandy Nininger statue along the Riverwalk, by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. A paver will be unveiled in memory of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Willis Rozelle Hall. Visit fortlauderdale.gov.
Hallandale Beach
The Veterans Day Salute will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Cultural Community Center, 410 SE Third St., followed by refreshments. Visit cohb.org/veteransday.
Hollywood
The city is having two food-focused gatherings for veterans and their families:
- A Centennial Celebration: Veterans Day Barbecue starts at noon Nov. 11 at TY (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park, 3300 N. Park Road, Corporate Pavilion 12. Veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy barbecue foods, music and entertainment. There will also be a banner plane flyover and recognition ceremony. Participants must present a military ID, driver’s license with veteran status or DD Form 214. Free for veteran with ID and one guest; TY Park’s gate fee will apply ($3 per vehicle) for everyone else. Call 954-921-3404 to RSVP. Visit Facebook.com/cityofhollywoodfl.
- The seventh annual Honoring Our Veterans buffet dinner, organized by the Hollywood Hills Civic Association and the Rotary Club of Hollywood, will offer food, drinks, a raffle, color guard salute and music from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the club’s headquarters, 2349 Taylor St. Veterans will share their experiences, including Honor Flight trips. Wear red, white and blue, and bring a nonperishable canned good for the food pantry. Free. Visit hollywoodfl.org.
Lauderhill
Vice Mayor S. “Ray” Martin and the Northwest Lauderhill Neighbors Association will present the Veterans Day Ceremony from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St. The city is accepting nominations for veterans to be honored. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
The town will give thanks during its Veterans Day Celebration from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at El Prado Park, 4500 El Mar Drive. Visit lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov.
Miramar
A guest speaker and Honor Guard Presentation of Colors will highlight the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 6405 Arbor Drive. Refreshments will follow. Visit miramarfl.gov/events.
Oakland Park
The city and American Legion Post 222 will honor all who served at a Veterans Day Ceremony set for 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the post’s headquarters, 4250 NE Fifth Ave. Visit Facebook.com/americanlegion222.
Parkland
The community will gather at the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony from 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 6620 University Drive. Visit cityofparkland.org.
Pembroke Pines
The Presentation of Colors, musical performances and guest speakers will be part of the Veterans Day Ceremony at noon Nov. 11 at the Charles F. Dodge City Center Memorial Park, 601 City Center Way. Visit ppines.com.
Plantation
Elected offIcials and other dignitaries will speak during the Veterans Day Service set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale West Drive. The ceremony also will be livestreamed at Facebook.com/cityofplantationfl. Visit plantation.org.
Sunrise
Veterans from all branches of the military are invited to the third annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Feeding South Florida is partnering with the Florida Panthers, Publix, Publix Charities, Link Logistics, Morgan Stanley, the Friedlander Group and North Miami Beach City Commissioner Daniela Jean for the event, which includes a chef-prepared meal, entertainment and recognition. Admission is free for veterans and one guest each. Visit feedingsouthflorida.org/vets to RSVP by Nov. 9.
Tamarac
A Veterans Honor Wall will be unveiled during the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans’ Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd. There will be music, remarks from dignitaries, bagpipe selections by the Celtic Bagpipe Team and a keynote address by Army Sgt. Maj. Joseph J. Hissong. Attendees are asked to bring donations of toiletries, nonperishable food, socks and hand towels for the Veterans Affairs Committee. Fill out an application at tamarac.me/honorwall to be included on the wall. Visit tamarac.org.
Wilton Manors
A Veterans Day Ceremony will honor everyone who has served the country from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive. Visit wiltonmanors.gov.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Boynton Beach
The community will come together for the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 411 N. Federal Highway. Visit boynton-beach.org.
Boca Raton
Red, White & Boca: A Veterans Day Celebration will feature speakers, music and a JROTC Presentation of Colors from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. Other activities include the Veterans Marketplace providing connections to service organizations, veteran-owned businesses and sports teams, and a Classic Car Show with vintage vehicles on the east lawn. Food vendors will be on site. Veterans can present their military or veteran ID for a free food ticket at the City of Boca Raton booth. Visit myboca.us.
The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556 will present a Veterans Day Observance at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 9400 W. Palmetto Park Road. The schedule includes a Procession of Colors, guest speakers, patriotic music and memorial wreath laying. Visit discover.pbcgov.org.
Delray Beach
The community will join the Veterans Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., to pay tribute to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit delraybeachfl.gov.
Greenacres
The city’s Veterans Day Tribute at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 will feature a Presentation of Colors, patriotic music and guest speakers at at Greenacres City Hall, 5800 Melaleuca Lane. Visit greenacresfl.gov.
Lake Worth Beach
The Veterans Day Ceremony of Honor will have guest speaker Army Maj. Andres Grisales at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at Bryant Park at Lake Avenue and Golfview. The Lake Worth High School JROTC Color Guard will participate, and there will be a jump demonstration by the All Veteran Group freefall team at 3 p.m. At another event, from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Mayor Betty Resch will lead Lights Across the Bridge with the community to light up the Lake Worth Beach Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. Bring flashlights and meet at the Bryant Park Bandshell. Visit Facebook.com/LakeWorthBeachPBC.
Lantana
The town’s Veterans Day Celebration will include a short ceremony to honor and recognize “the brave men and women who have served our country” at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Bicentennial Park, 321 E. Ocean Ave. Visit lantana.org.
Wellington
The Wellington and American Legion Post 390’s Veterans Day Parade steps off at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 11 at Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd., and ends at the Veterans Memorial on the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The Veterans Day Ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. with remarks by the Village Council and the placement of memorial wreaths. Active or retired veterans may register that morning at the Wellington tent to have their name recognized during the ceremony. Visit wellingtonfl.gov.
The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., has teamed with Stand Down, a nonprofit that supports veterans and their families, for three initiatives:
- Through Nov. 8, post an American flag on the Honor Wall in the City Furniture Court to honor a veteran or active military member.
- Come to the Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 8 in City Furniture Court featuring the Palm Beach Lakes Community High School Ram Regiment Band, the posting of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from a guest speaker. Light refreshments will be served.
- The Tree of Joy, another partnership with Stand Down, in Grand Court will display tags listing the names, ages, sizes and holiday wishes of children from veteran families across Palm Beach County. Shoppers can select a tag, purchase a gift and drop off their donations at Starbucks by Dec. 10.
Visit shopwellingtongreen.com.