OCALA, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE 11/10: An impressive turn out Friday morning for an equally impressive Veterans Day ceremony in Ocala. Check out the sights and sounds from the patriotic event as seen through the lens of 352today videojournalist Alan Youngblood.
https://youtu.be/YkfCWcDOFk0
ORIGINAL 11/7: Patriotism will be on full display this Friday, Nov. 10, at a ceremony in Ocala in honor of Veterans Day.
Hundreds of students from Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) will show support for local veterans by leading, participating in and attending the ceremony.
The event starts at 11 a.m. and will take place at the Marion County Veterans Park located at the intersection of Southeast Fort King Street and Southeast 25th Avenue.
MCPS says this year’s program includes music performances by students from Shady Hill Elementary, Howard Middle, and Forest High Schools.
“Students from Hillcrest School will lead the Pledge of Allegiance while student writers from Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, named for Marion County’s only Medal of Honor recipient, will recognize veterans for their service with spoken essays,” said MCPS in a release.
The district also says the family of Army Specialist Robert E. Blair, a Lake Weir High School graduate who died in the Iraq war, will present a wreath honoring him and all local veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony also includes a 21-gun and cannon salute, vintage airplane flyover, and additional patriotic tributes.
Organizers encourage you to arrive early due to parking concerns and to bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
If you can’t attend, MCPS will stream the event on the district’s YouTube Channel after the event is over.