Honoring those who served at Cape Coral’s Veterans Day Parade

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Flags
American flags waving in the wind on Veterans Day in Punta Gorda. CREDIT: WINK News

Downtown Cape Coral was covered in red, white and blue for the 2023 Veterans Day Parade.

With first responders flooding the streets, engines revving loud and proud, as the city payed tribute to the men and women who served the country.

But also, to those beginning their journey in the military — like Mary Barker’s granddaughter who is planning to join the Air Force.

While the parade is a crowd favorite, it’s important to understand why this day is celebrated.

“I lost a lot of friends that came back in the box from Vietnam,” U.S. Army veteran Dennis Godby said. “And it’s, I carry that with me all the time. It could have been me.”

He hoisted his flag on the sidelines not just for his friends, but every soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

As Veterans Day is a day meant to celebrate those who returned home, to remember those who lost their lives and to raise awareness for veterans who are struggling to adjust back to reality. 

 “The number of suicides on veterans right now is something that has to be addressed,” Godby said. “We send people out and they see things that God never wanted us to see. And they’re suffering from it.”

“I think they need more outsourcing more programs for them. More homes, more jobs,” Barker said. “You know, they come back and they’re like, this is it.”

So, as they honored the fallen heroes, and thanked those for their service, the community hopes it can offer some support during this difficult day for many.

The parade, starting at 11 a.m., followed the south side of Cape Coral Parkway, heading west from Cape Coral St. to Chester St. on Saturday

The parade was overseen by Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

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