Sarasota Veterans Day Parade Is Sunday

The annual Veterans’ Day parade in downtown Sarasota on Veterans’ Day will start at 10 a.m., Sunday. The parade begins at Main Street and Osprey Avenue. A program will begin at about 11 a.m. at the parade's conclusion at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue. 

The keynote speaker will be Tuskegee Airman George E. Hardy, Lt. Col. USAF (Retired). Hardy became the youngest Tuskegee Airman when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1944. 

He flew 21 combat missions over Germany, 45 combat missions over Korea, and 70 combat missions during the Vietnam War.  Hardy was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor, the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. 

Schedule of events:

• Parade  -  10 a.m.  – Main Street/Osprey Avenue
• Ceremony  - 11 a.m.  -  Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park (Main Street/Gulfstream)