Hundreds gathered in Gainesville, Florida, for the Alachua County Veterans Day Celebration at Veterans Memorial Park.
The event featured performances, a skydiving demonstration, and booths from various community and support organizations.
This year’s celebration unveiled a new 50-foot American flag and two new 35-foot flag poles at the memorial.
Hundreds of people braved the cold on Nov. 11 to honor current and former U.S. service members as part of the Alachua County Veterans Day Celebration.
The celebration, held at Veterans Memorial Park, 7400 SW 41st Place, Gainesville, was organized by the Veterans Memorial Committee. Attendees enjoyed breakfast, performances by the Fort Clark Middle School band and Gainesville High School’s drill team, and a skydiving demonstration before the formal program kicked off at 11 a.m.
Several organizations and support groups set up booths across the park to engage community members — who sipped hot coffee while bundled in heavy coats, beanies and knit scarves as they waited for the main event to begin.
Employees for the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Development and Civic Engagement Office (CDCE), which manages the department’s volunteer and donation program, hoped to recruit volunteers to serve at hospitals within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.
Tanita English served 12 years in the Navy. She worked at the U.S. Department of Defense, now called the Department of War, before becoming the program manager for CDCE and is passionate about her work.
“I love it,” she said. “I get to see a different side of taking care of veterans that’s not directly linked to patient care —we provide those extras.” English’s office provides patients with necessities like food and clothing. They even throw parties for long-term patients.
Everything the VA’s CDCE provides for veterans comes from donations.
The Gainesville Amateur Radio Society teaches community members of all ages how to use ham radios and Morse code. It’s a space where hobbyists can share technical skills and advice. They also provide communication services for the county during emergencies, including hurricanes. The organization usually sets up a booth at the Veterans Day Celebration.
“We want to give back to the community, give tribute to veterans and educate people on about how to we can help strengthen our community,” society member Karyn Shander said.
The Veterans Memorial Committee, established in 1988, broke ground on the county’s veterans memorial in 1992. It was completed and unveiled on Veterans Day 1993 and expanded with the addition of the Freedom Community Center.
In 2016, the memorial was updated to include an exhibit honoring fallen soldiers who fought in foreign and domestic wars from the American Revolution to modern conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This year, the memorial received a new 50-foot American flag and two 35-foot flag poles, one for the Florida state flag and another for the Prisoners of War flag.
Jay Robinson is the chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee and served in the military for 30 years, first in the Marine Corps and then in the Army National Guard. He’s glad that the event is not only a space for veterans but their families.
“It’s a civic event for families to come and enjoy,” he said. It’s a celebration. It gets the community involved in Veterans Day which is a great thing.”