Monroe County offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Several events take place on Veterans Day to honor Veterans in the Florida Keys.
Monroe County Veterans Affairs is co-hosting a Veterans Day ceremony with Key Largo VFW Post 10211 to honor all who served on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. The Key Largo Community Band will be playing a selection of patriotic songs. The U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard will be presenting the colors.
Also at the Murray Nelson Government Center, the American Legion Post 145 is sponsoring a Big Red Bus blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the same time in Key West, Monroe County Veterans Affairs staff will also participate in the wreath-laying ceremony honoring Veterans at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park in Key West.
Other events taking place include:
- American Legion Post 154 will host a Veterans Day parade from 20th Street in Marathon, making a U-turn at the traffic light at 107th Street, ending at the American Legion at 4115 Overseas Hwy. The parade will start at 11 a.m. Following the parade, there will be a ceremony at the post starting around noon.
- Islamorada Fire Rescue Station 20 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada at 11 a.m.
- Later that day, Monroe County Veterans Affairs and Monroe County staff will participate in the Key West Veterans Day Parade at 4 p.m. JIATF-South hosts the Key West parade that will run along Duval Street. The public is invited to cheer on parade participants and pay tribute to Veterans and service members.
Veterans Day celebrates the formal ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 and is a national holiday observed for all honorably discharged Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Veterans Day is a time to honor all United States veterans for their unwavering service and sacrifices for our country,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane. “Engaging in Veterans Day events is an impactful way to express our patriotism and deep pride for those for those who bravely served.”