Observing Veterans Day 2021 in SWFL

The Veterans Day parade marches through Cape Coral Thursday morning, one of many events being held in Southwest Florida to mark the day of remembrance.

Thousands of people will come to line Cape Coral Parkway for the parade at 11 a.m., which will head westbound from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street. The celebration is a cooperative effort between the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation and local volunteers.

The Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5k Walk/Run will go from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting and finishing at the base of the Midpoint Bridge.

If you head a little further north, the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda will be holding an entire day of celebrations, including a quilts of valor recognition ceremony honoring local veterans, cockpit tours of the Huey helicopter and a patriotic concert in the evening. The museum says the purpose of this day is to tell the stories of those who have served.

“Veterans Day, for me, is a celebration,” said Gary Butler, with the Military Heritage Museum. “It’s a it’s a time to say ‘thank you.’ It’s a time to honor them. It’s a time of friendship and a time of, you know, thanksgiving. That’s the type of Veterans Day we need to have every patriotic, uplifting, inspiring day. It is truly about celebrating their service and what it’s done for our great country.”

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