Memorial Day weekend, volunteers from the Gainesville chapter of the Korean War Veterans’ Association will wrap ribbons around 136 trees around the Korean and Vietnam memorial on SW Archer Road. The trees represent the soldiers from Alachua County who were killed in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Memorial Day is a day when we stop and give thanks for the brave men and women who died during active military service. It is a day for BBQ, family and remembrance. It is also a time to be thankful for our freedoms. America exists because of their sacrifice.
Moderator and WIND-FM listener /u/BikerJedi and WIND-FM invite you to read true stories from military service members themselves at old.reddit.com/r/MilitaryStories. Although most of the stories are from US service members from WW2 through today, some are from members of other nations.
Please come read about heroics, mundane days, funny occurrences, insane stories about bureaucracy and tear jerkers about the lost. If you are a veteran, we invite you to share your stories as well! If you have any questions, you can reach out to /u/BikerJedi on Reddit and he will be happy to help. We hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday. #OneLove #22ADay
SATURDAY: Highland Memorial Day is back at Highland Memorial Park. Big Lee’s – Serious About Barbecue and Ocala Street Cruisers will be part of the festivities. Follow the flags down the driveway to the lovely canopy of Oaks. From 10am-2pm, let’s honor our soldiers together by celebrating their sacrifice and honoring their service. 1515 NE 3rd Street, Ocala.
The Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park will host a Memorial Day Remembrance event Monday, May 31, starting at 10 a.m. The event will feature guest speaker Col. Craig Ham, U.S. Army, RET and music by Hannah Stuckey, Marcia Muncaster, and Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band. Local high school organizations including the Marion County Honor Guard and North Marion High School Junior ROTC, will also be in attendance.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-1 is scheduled to hold an event at Cemetery Point, located at 16050 E. Point Road (just off of Gulf Boulevard) in Cedar Key at 12 p.m. to honor American warriors. The event is open to the public, veterans, and friends or relatives of veterans. Social distancing is recommended and face masks are optional. For more information, contact John Caddigan at 352-535-0654 or Michelle Petersen at 805-248-9479.
The Eyes of Freedom at World Equestrian Center:
1390 NW 80th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34482
This traveling memorial depicts the fallen Marines and Navy Corpsman of Columbus, OH based Lima Company 3/25, one of the most heavily engaged units of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These 23 life-sized portraits have become a powerful traveling military tribute Honoring ALL Who Answer Our Nation’s Call; Then, Now, and Tomorrow. These eyes reflect the hundreds of thousands of men and women that have sacrificed defending our freedom.
The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial was created as a result of an Ohio artist’s vision, in which she saw the finished memorial and felt she was being asked to create it. With the help of the families of the fallen and the returned Marines of L3/25, the work was created and unveiled in the Ohio State House Rotunda in 2008, as the vision foretold.
Although the paintings in this Memorial specifically depict the 23 fallen Marines from Lima 3/25, it has become much more. The mission of the nonprofit, Eyes of Freedom, is to honor the service and sacrifice of all who answer our nation’s call. Behind each portrait one feels the spirit of the thousands of men and women who have served our country in every branch of the armed forces, not forgetting the returning veterans coming home to us. Since 2018, this Memorial also includes the same artist’s newest creation: a life-sized bronzed sculpture of a serviceman seated with head down, his face depicting emotions of the internal Silent Battle, as the touchable work is aptly named. He represents our nation’s veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress and thoughts of suicide, as they navigate life after combat. This powerful offering brings awareness, hope and a dose of healing to all who come in contact.
This traveling tribute is supported by a board of directors consisting of retired military, business men women and clergy. The full time touring team has a personal connection to the men in the paintings; Mike Strahle is a purple heart combat vet who fought alongside these men and was badly injured in one of the attacks. Sean Flaharty was personal friends of the fallen and helped support Anita as a volunteer for years before becoming part of the touring team. Both men offer personal insight into the history and experience of this powerful memorial.
The display will be available in the Lobby of Arena 2 for public viewing from Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31 from 11am – 8pm daily.
Free parking and admission.
Marion County Veterans Council – Stuff the Bus at World Equestrian Center:
1390 NW 80th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34482
The Marion County Veterans Council will be at the World Equestrian Center from Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31 collecting school supplies and/or donations to support their “Stuff the Bus” program. Come by daily from 11am – 8pm to learn more about this program. Donations will be accepted on-site.
They have secured the needed backpacks but are asking for school supplies or donations to help support the “Stuff the Bus” program. The council will also have a silent auction for a one-of-a-kind photo collection which depicts all thirteen Triple Crown winners.
Free parking and admission.